The Central Government has asked the Assam Government to prepare a concept note by December for the restoration of 271 wetlands identified by the North East Space Application Centre (NESAC).
What is a wetland?
As per the Ramsar Convention:
A wetland is defined as ‘areas of marsh, fen, peatland or water, whether natural or artificial, permanent or temporary, with water that is static or flowing, fresh, brackish or salt, including areas of marine water the depth of which at low tides does not exceed six meters.
Types of Wetlands
- Human-Made Wetlands: Built for water storage, fish production, or recreation; examples include reservoirs, aquaculture ponds, salt pans, and dams.
- Lakes: Diverse freshwater habitats supporting terrestrial and aquatic life worldwide.
- River Floodplains: Lands adjacent to rivers that flood periodically; Yamuna floodplains supply water to Delhi.
- Ox-Bow Lakes: Crescent-shaped lakes formed from river meanders, commonly found in the Ganga and Brahmaputra basins.
- Marshes: Grass-dominated wetlands fed by surface runoff, groundwater, or tides, e.g., Kanwar Jheel in Bihar.
- Estuaries: Brackish water areas where rivers meet the sea, like Chilika lagoon in Odisha.
- Swamps: Tree-dominated wetlands with poor drainage; include mangrove swamps like the Sunderbans in India and Bangladesh.
Importance of Wetlands
- Diverse Benefits: Provide essential resources like freshwater, food, flood control, and climate change mitigation.
- Biodiversity Haven: Critical habitats for diverse plants, animals, and migratory birds.
- Sustainable Tourism: Support recreation and education while benefiting local communities.
- Water Purification: Act as natural filters, enhancing water quality.
- Climate and Flood Control: Regulate water flow, prevent floods, and stabilize climates.
- Shoreline Protection: Buffer against erosion and pollutants.
- Genetic Reservoirs: Preserve genetic diversity for plant species, including rice.
Government initiatives
- Ramsar Convention: India, a Ramsar Convention signatory, designates and promotes wise use of Wetlands of International Importance.
- As of August 2024, there are 85 Ramsar sites in India
- Assam’s only Ramsar Site: Deepor Beel
- National Wetlands Conservation Programme (NWCP): Launched in 1985-86, it supports state-led wetland conservation with financial and technical aid.
- Wetlands Rules, 2017: Delegates wetland identification and protection to states, balancing development with conservation.
- Montreux Record: Lists wetlands like Keoladeo National Park and Loktak Lake needing urgent attention due to ecological changes.
- Community Involvement: Engages local communities in conservation, utilizing their knowledge for lasting impact.
- Research and Education: Supports research and awareness initiatives on wetland importance and threats.
Wetlands are areas where water is the primary factor controlling the environment and the associated plant and animal life. They occur where the water table is at or near the surface of the land, or where the land is covered by water.
