What are wetlands?

According to most widespread definition, wetlands are defined as: “lands transitional between terrestrial and aquatic eco­systems where the water table is usually at or near the surface or the land is covered by shallow water”.

Ramsar Convention on Wetlands defines wetlands 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 tide does not exceed six meters “.

In addition, for the purpose of protecting co-herent sites, the Article 2.1 provides that wetlands to be included in the Ramsar List of internationally important wetlands may incorporate riparian and coastal zones adjacent to the wetlands, and islands or bodies of marine water deeper than six meters at low tide lying within the wetlands.

The Ministry of Environment and Forests in December 2010 notified the Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules, 2010 for conservation and management of wetlands that restrict harmful activities such as construction, dumping of untreated waste, and industrialisation, to prevent damage to these sensitive ecosystems with high biodiversity values. These Rules have been drafted by the Ministry of Environment and Forests to ensure better conservation and management and to prevent degradation of existing wetlands in India.

Wetlands are critical for human development and wellbeing, especially in India where a large number of people are dependent on them for drinking water, food and livelihood. Despite their immense importance, wetlands are one of the most degraded ecosystems globally. Research suggests that over-exploitation of fish resources, discharge of industrial effluents, fertilizers and pesticides and uncontrolled siltation and weed infestation, among other reasons, have wiped out or severely damaged over 1 / 3rd of India’s wetlands.

Under the rules, wetlands have been classified for better management and easier identification. Wetland regulatory authorities and appraisal committees were set up at the central, State and district levels to ensure proper implementation of the rules. Apart from necessary government representatives, each of these bodies has experts. The rules specify activities that are harmful to wetlands and prohibit them. Other activities such as harvesting and dredging could be carried out with prior permission from the authorities concerned.

The Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules, 2010 is a positive step towards conservation of wetlands in India. This is the first time that legally enforceable Rules are being notified for such eco sensitive areas in the country. This will go a long way in protecting our wetlands which are under severe threat.

Separately the ministry has also requested SAC and other institutions to undertake a comprehensive mapping exercise delineating all the wetlands in the country. The Ministry of Environment and Forests, recognising the importance of having a legal framework for the preservation and management of wetlands in India, drew up a draft Regulatory Framework drawing upon the recommendation of a wide spectrum of experts and stakeholders.

Ramsar Convention on Wetland:

The Convention on Wetlands, signed in Ramsar, Iran, in 1971, is an intergovernmental treaty which provides the framework for national action and international cooperation for the conservation and wise use of wetlands and their resources. There are presently 158 Contracting Parties to the Convention, with 1758 wetland sites, totaling 161 million hectares, designated for inclusion in the Ramsar List of Wetlands of International Importance. Ramsar Convention is the only global environment treaty dealing with a particular ecosystem.

The Ramsar Convention on Wetlands was developed as a means to call international attention to the rate at which wetland habitats were disappearing, in part due to a lack of understanding of their important functions, values, goods and services.

Under the Rules, wetlands have been classified for better management and easier identification. Central Wetland Regulatory Authority has been set up to ensure proper implementation of the Rules and perform all functions for management of wetlands in India. Apart from necessary government representatives, the Authority shall have a number of expert members to ensure that wetland conservation is carried out in the best possible manner.

In order to ensure there is no further degradation of wetlands, the Rules specify activities which are harmful to wetlands such as industrialisation, construction, dumping of untreated waste, reclamation etc. and prohibit these activities in the wetlands. Other activities such as harvesting, dredging etc may be carried out in the wetlands but only with prior permission from the concerned authorities.

India is a signatory to the Ramsar Convention for the conservation and wise use of wetlands, which includes in its ambit a wide variety of habitats such as rivers and lakes, coastal lagoons, mangroves, coral reefs, and numerous man-made wetlands like ponds, farm ponds, irrigated agricultural lands, sacred groves, salt pans, reservoirs, gravels, pits, sewage, farms and canals.

Wetland conservation has been accorded a high priority in India. Since 1987, the National Wetlands Conservation Programme of India has been financially supporting wetland conservation activities all over India. Under the Programme 115 wetlands have been identified for conservation and management till date. India is also a party to the Ramsar Convention under which 25 wetlands from India are included in the list of wetlands of international importance.

The Union government had identified 25 wetlands for conservation and management under its conservation programme and provides financial and technical assistance to the State governments and Union Territory administrations for this purpose.

National Wetland Conservation Programme The Government of India has been implementing the National Wetlands Conservation Programme (NWCP) in close collaboration with the State/UT Governments since the year 1985-86.Under the programme, 115 wetlands have been identified till now by the Ministry which require urgent conservation and management interventions.

Aim: Conservation of wetlands in the country so as to prevent their further degradation and ensuring their wise use for the benefit of local communities and overall conservation of biodiversity. ‘

Objective of programme

The programme was initiated with the following objectives:-

i. To lay down policy guidelines for conservation and management of wetlands in the country;

ii. To provide financial assistance for undertaking intensive conservation measures in the identified wetlands;

iii. To monitor implementation of the programme; and

iv. To prepare an inventory of Indian wetlands.