Wetlands and Ramsar Sites
Wetlands are often called the
"kidneys of the landscape." They are unique ecosystems where the land
is covered by water—either salt, fresh, or somewhere in between—either
seasonally or permanently.
1. What is a
Wetland?
A wetland is a distinct
ecosystem that is flooded or saturated by water, creating a low-oxygen
environment that forces plants and animals to adapt. They act as a transition
zone between terrestrial (land) and aquatic (water) environments.
Common Types of Wetlands:
●
Marshes: Dominated by herbaceous plants (grasses and reeds).
●
Swamps: Dominated by woody plants (trees and shrubs).
●
Bogs: Characterized by peat deposits and acidic water.
●
Estuaries: Where rivers meet the sea, mixing fresh and salt water.
2. The Ramsar
Convention
The Ramsar Convention on
Wetlands is an intergovernmental treaty established in 1971 in the
Iranian city of Ramsar. It provides the framework for national action and
international cooperation for the conservation and wise use of wetlands.
●
The "Wise Use" Concept: This is the pillar of the
convention. It refers to the maintenance of the ecological character of
wetlands through the implementation of ecosystem approaches.
●
The List of Wetlands of International Importance: When a country joins the
convention, it must designate at least one wetland site as a "Ramsar
Site" to ensure its protection.
3. Why are
Wetlands Important?
Wetlands provide
disproportionately large benefits compared to the surface area they cover.
|
Benefit |
Description |
|
Water Purification |
They filter pollutants,
sediment, and toxins from water supplies. |
|
Flood Control |
They act as natural
sponges, absorbing excess rainfall and reducing flood peaks. |
|
Biodiversity Hotspots |
They host 40% of the
world’s species, including many endangered migratory birds. |
|
Carbon Sequestration |
Peatlands, in particular,
store twice as much carbon as all the world’s forests combined. |
|
Livelihoods |
They support fishing,
agriculture (like rice), and tourism for millions of people. |
4. Global and
Local Examples
International
Landmarks
●
Pantanal (South America): The world's largest tropical wetland, sprawling across Brazil,
Bolivia, and Paraguay. It is home to the highest concentration of jaguars.
●
Okavango Delta (Botswana): A massive inland delta where the water evaporates rather than
flowing into the sea, creating a lush oasis in the Kalahari Desert.
Notable Sites
in India
●
Chilika Lake (Odisha): The largest brackish water lagoon in Asia and the first Indian
wetland of international importance under the Ramsar Convention.
●
Sundarbans (West Bengal): The largest mangrove forest in the world, critical for tiger
conservation and storm surge protection.
●
Keoladeo Ghana National Park (Rajasthan): A man-made wetland and a
major wintering ground for migratory birds.
5. The Montreux
Record
The Montreux Record is
a register of Ramsar sites 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 to highlight sites in urgent need of conservation.
Note: Currently, two sites in
India are on the Montreux Record: Keoladeo National Park and Loktak
Lake. (Chilika Lake was once on it but was removed after successful
restoration).
6. Threats to
Wetlands
Despite their value, wetlands
are disappearing three times faster than forests. Major threats include:
●
Drainage and Infilling: Converting land for agriculture or urban construction.
●
Pollution: Runoff from fertilizers, pesticides, and industrial waste.
●
Climate Change: Rising sea levels drowning coastal marshes and droughts drying
up inland bogs.
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