WETLANDS; Conserve them for a healthy tomorrow!

Did you know wetlands are natural water filters where water covers the soil throughout the year or over varying periods of time? Wetlands are known by many names such as swamps, peatlands, sloughs, marshes, muskegs, bogs, fens, potholes, and mires. It has been found that some wetlands form quickly while others take years to develop. The Wetlands represent roughly 4.7 percent of India’s total area. It is also estimated that nearly 30% of natural wetlands have been lost in India in the last three decades.

The Ramsar Convention was formed for wetlands for International importance that was signed in 1971 and went into effect in 1975. The mission of this program was to conserve all national and international wetlands and wisely use them. Wetlands were designated under the Ramsar list to effectively manage them, bring international cooperation over the transboundary, share wetlands systems, and share species.

Wetlands play a crucial role in maintaining our natural cycles. They purify and recharge the groundwater and serve as a natural sponge against drought and flood, also helping to fight climate change and protect our coastlines. They are unique ecosystems where both terrestrial and aquatic habitats meet. These wetlands are home to many endangered bird species like grebes, cormorants, pelicans, terns, and gulls, to name a few. They depend on them during parts of their life cycle, especially for food and nesting.

Wetlands are the prime priority for preserving our ecosystem since they help reduce the damage created by floods, pollution control, and regulate climatic conditions.

We can do our bit of protecting and saving these wetlands by reducing, reusing, and recycling our household waste.