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Wetland
- Wetlands are shallow water-bodies with high biodiversity and productivity. They play an important role in biogeochemical cycles and have the potential for wastewater treatment.
- They are used as a source of drinking water and for navigation, irrigation, improving micro-climate and have ecotourism potential.
- Wetlands are land areas, which are seasonally or permanently flooded with water.
- The Ramsar Convention’s definition for wetlands includes “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”.
- Fishponds, rice paddies, and saltpans are human-made wetlands.
Importance of Wetlands:
- The wetlands are a vital part of the hydrological cycle which support varied biological diversity and provide a wide range of ecosystem services, such as waste assimilation, water purification, flood mitigation, erosion control, groundwater recharge, regulating micro-climate etc.
- They provide habitat for animals and plants and many contain a wide diversity of life.
- Wetlands provide an important range of environmental, social and economic services.
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About the Ramsar Convention:
- The Ramsar Convention signed on February 2, 1971, is one of the oldest intergovernmental agreements signed by member countries to preserve the ecological character of their wetlands of international importance.
- Aim–
- To develop and maintain an international network of wetlands that are important for the conservation of global biological diversity and for sustaining human life through the maintenance of their ecosystem components, processes and benefits.
- World Wetland Day (WWD) celebrations are held every year on 2nd February to mark the signing of the Ramsar Convention.
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Wetlands in India
- India has nearly 4.6% of its land as wetlands, covering an area of 15.26 million hectares and has 42 sites designated as Wetlands of International Importance (Ramsar Sites).
- Wetlands are regulated under the Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules, 2017.
- The 2010 version of the Rules provided for a Central Wetland Regulatory Authority but the 2017 Rules replaced it with state-level bodies and created a National Wetland Committee, which functions in an advisory role.
- The newer regulations removed some items from the definition of “wetlands” including backwaters, lagoon, creeks, and estuaries.
National Efforts
- National Lake Conservation Plan (NLCP)
- Implemented since 2001 to address pollution issues in urban lakes
- Projects sanctioned for the conservation of 63 lakes in 14 states at a total cost of Rs.1096.09 crore.
- Funding pattern 70:30 (90:10 for the NE States), Dal lake project in J&K provided 100% financial assistance.
- National Wetland Conservation Programme (NWCP)
- Being implemented since 1986 and 115 wetlands in 24 states and 2 UTs identified for conservation and management
- Funding pattern – 100% financial assistance as annual grants to State Governments for MAP implementation
- Admissible components include catchment area treatment,de-siltation, pollution abatement, afforestation, fisheries, public participation, etc.
- Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules, 2010
- It recommends prohibited and regulated activities within wetlands and their zone of influence.
- Enforced by the Central Government through the Central Wetland Regulatory Authority (CWRA)
- Draft revised Wetlands Rules, 2016
- State Wetland Authorities will be the nodal agency for notification, regulation and management. No Central Wetland Regulatory Authority envisaged.
- Mandatory boundary delineation, specification of ecological character and regulation thresholds.
- Regulations of wetlands under protected areas, notified forests and coastal zones as per respective laws and rules, management on wise use principles.
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