Wetland and its conservation

Wetland:A land area whose soil get saturated with the moisture either permanently or
temporarily is called wet land. The wetlands are separated from the water bodies based on
comparative level of the water and variety of species found there. We can classify wetland as
both biome and ecosystem. They can also be defined as eco-tone that transit between water
bodies and dry land. In Simple word, Wet lands are the land with hydric soil.
Definition as per Ramsar convention:
Wetlands are the areas of marsh, fen, peatland or water, whether natural or artificial,
permanent or temporarily, with water that is static or flowing , fresh, brackish or salt,
including area of marine water the depth of which at low tide does not exceed six meters.

Significance of wetland:
Check flood (because of capacity to sustain water large amount)
Prevent coastal erosion
Mitigate effect of natural disaster such as cyclone and tidal wave
Preserve water quality
Water purification
Increase biological productivity for both aquatic life as well as for human
communities.
They act as natural filter and help in removing wide range pollutants from the water
including virus and bacteria

Wetland
Inland wetlan
Natural
e.g. Lake/pond, cut-
off meander, swap,
marsh, waterlogged
Man made
e.g. Reservior, tanks
Coastal wetland
Natural
e.g. Estury, Lagoon,
creek, coral reef,
mangroove
Man Made
E.g. Aquaculture, salt
pan

Ramsar Convention (Wetland Conservation)
The importance and usefulness of wetland was firstly brought to the notice of world
through convention on wetland held at Iranian city of Ramsar in the 1971
It is an international convention came in force in 1975.
The convention provides the framework for international cooperation for the
conservation and wise use of wetland
India became signatory to this convention on in 1981
(UNESCO) serves as the Depositary for the Convention
its secretariat, the Ramsar Bureau, is in Gland, Switzerland.
AIM:
o Halt the loss of wetlands and
o To ensure the conservation of fauna and flora and their ecological processes
Obligations of parties:
Designating one or more wetlands for inclusion in the list of Wetlands of
International Importance (e.g. six Ramsar wetlands in India).
Promoting wise judicious use of wetlands, including mangroves
Promoting conservation of wetlands through establishment of nature
reserves.
Irrespective of their listing under the Convention and managing wetlands for
the benefit of water fowl.
Promoting training in the field of wetland research, managing and warding.
Consulting with other parties about implementation of the convention,
especially with regard to trans frontier wetlands, shared water systems,
shared species, and development of wetland projects.





India Position on wetland conservation
Although India is party to the Ramsar convention, it does not have strong national laws to
prevent misuse of the wetlands. As per one study, India has loss 40 % of the wetland in
1991-2001. India has more diverse and more number of the wetland. Sadly, India has only
27 listed wetland as part of Ramsar convention. The national wetland conservation
programme started in 1987, restrict its solely to these 27 wetland. The protection of the
wetland is under different protection acts (wild life protect act 1972, Environment
protection act 1986, Indian forest act 1927, Indian fisheries act 1897), yet none of them
recognize wetlands as separate ecosystem.
Indias wetland are extraordinarily diverse-ranging from lakes and ponds to marshes,
mangrove, backwater and lagoons and play a vital role in maintaining water balanced, flood
prevention and support food security and livelihood. They are classed yet wasteland by
Govt. Wetland are systematically converted into real estate by vested interest or simply used
as a dumping ground for sewage and garbage. Lack of political will is main reason for
destruction of wetland in India.

List of Wetland or Ramsar sites in India

Lists are not exhaustive.only important one
Name of Ramsar Site or wetland States
Ashtamudi wetlaand Kerala
Chilika lake Orissa
Loktak lake manipur
Keoladeo lake Rajasthan
Deepor beel Assam
Nalsarovar Bird sanctuary Gujarat
Wular lake Jammu and Kashmir
Kolleru Lake AP
Kanji wetland Punjab
Bhoj Wetl
and
MP
Pong dam lake Himachal Pradesh














The Montreux Record:

The Montreux Record is a register of wetland sites on the List of Wetlands of International
Importance where changes in ecological character have occurred, are occurring, or are likely
to occur as a result of technological developments, pollution or other human interference. It
is maintained as part of the Ramsar List

Name of wet land registered in Montreux record

Chilika Lake Orissa (now omitted )
LokTak lake Manipur
Keoladeo lake Rajasthan

Measures avoid for wetland loss

Measures can be taken to steadily at grass root level reduce the negative impact of
wetland loss
Intensive fishing should be curbed and local inhabitants must make it a point not to
haunt animal found in these areas
Land cutting should be avoided
Care must be taken not to encourage illegal human settlement
The govt. should show sufficient interest and enthusiasm and come forward to
conserve these area by promoting eco-restoration of the surrounding forest areas
Promotion of eco-tourism and the spread of awareness through education regarding
the global status of environmental problem

Dipak Patel