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Wetlands are lands transitional between terrestrial and aquatic system where the water table is usually near the water surface and land is covered by shallow water.
Essential as: control floods, water treatment, recharging of water sources, reduce sediments, check Soil erosion, bulwark against encroachment by the sea, winter resort for birds and important for Flora and Fauna. They also provide a variety of Resources
Ramsar Convention: MANGROVES, Corals, estuaries, bays, creeks, flood plains, sea Grasses, lakes etc included
A programme on conservation of wetlands was initiated in 1987 with the basic objective of identification of wetlands of national importance, assessment of wetland resources, promotion of R&D activities and formulation and implementation of management action plans
A steering committee in each state headed by the Chief Secretary consists of members from all departments related to the wetland conservation in the state. Successful model.
India is a member of the Standing Committee of the Ramsar Convention On Wetlands, 1971
Steps forward
Make use of the traditional knowledge of the people living near the wetlands for its conservation along with the engineering solutions
Monitor the impact of implementation of management action plans
Wetlands of India under Ramsar Convention
Name State Remark
- Ashtamudi WL Kerala
- Bhitarkanika Mangroves Orissa
- Bhoj WL MP
- Chilka Lake Orissa 2nd largest in India: 116500 ha
- Deepor Beel Assam
- East Calcutta WL WB
- Harike Lake Punjab
- Kanjli Punjab
- Keoladeo National Park Rajasthan
- Kolleru Lake AP
- Loktak Lake Manipur
- Point Calimere Wildlife and Bird Sanctuary TN
- Pong Dam Lake HP
- Ropar Punjab
- Sambhar Lake Rajasthan
- Sasthamkotta Lake Kerala
- Tsomoriri J&K
- Vembanad-Kol WL Kerala Largest in India: 151250 ha
- Wular Lake J&K
- Chandratal HP 2nd Smallest: 49 ha
- Renuka HP Smallest: 20 ha
- Rudrasagar Tripura
- Upper Ganga UP Total area of these 26 wetlands: 677131 ha
- Hokarsar (Hokera) J&K Kerala has the highest area under wetlands
- Surinsar & Mansar J&K J&K has the largest number of wetlands (4)
- Gharana (2010) J&K
The Montreux Record. Sites on the List of Wetlands of International Importance which are considered to have undergone, to be undergoing, or to be likely to undergo change in their ecological character brought about by human action may be placed on the Montreux Record and may benefit from the application of the Ramsar Advisory Mission and other forms of technical assistance.
Keoladeo national park and Loktak lake from India are included in the list
Changwon Declaration
The primary purpose of the “Changwon Declaration on human well-being and wetlands”,adopted by Resolution X.3 of the recent meeting of the Conference of the Parties, “is to transmit key messages concerning wetland-related issues to the many stakeholders and decision-makers beyond the Ramsar community who are relevant to the conservation and wise use of wetlands, to inform their actions and decision-making”,
Wetlands are areas of land that are saturated with water, either permanently or seasonally. They include marshes, swamps, bogs, and fens. Wetlands play an important role in the Environment, providing a variety of benefits, including flood control, water purification, and wildlife habitat.
Wetlands are classified into four main types: marshes, swamps, bogs, and fens. Marshes are wetlands that are dominated by grasses and other herbaceous Plants. Swamps are wetlands that are dominated by trees and shrubs. Bogs are wetlands that are dominated by mosses and other non-vascular plants. Fens are wetlands that are dominated by sedges and other herbaceous plants.
Wetlands provide a variety of benefits, including:
- Flood control: Wetlands can absorb and store floodwaters, helping to reduce the risk of flooding downstream.
- Water purification: Wetlands filter and remove pollutants from water, helping to improve water quality.
- Wildlife habitat: Wetlands provide a home for a variety of wildlife, including birds, fish, and amphibians.
- Recreation: Wetlands are popular destinations for fishing, hunting, birdwatching, and other outdoor activities.
Wetlands are threatened by a variety of factors, including:
- Development: Wetlands are often converted to other uses, such as agriculture, housing, or Industry.
- Pollution: Wetlands are vulnerable to pollution from runoff, sewage, and industrial waste.
- Drainage: Wetlands are often drained to make way for development or agriculture.
- Invasive species: Invasive species can outcompete native plants and animals, disrupting wetland Ecosystems.
Wetland conservation strategies include:
- Protecting existing wetlands: Wetlands should be protected from development and other threats.
- Restoring degraded wetlands: Degraded wetlands can be restored to their former condition.
- Creating new wetlands: New wetlands can be created to compensate for wetlands that have been lost.
Wetland management practices include:
- Water management: Wetland water levels should be managed to maintain the Health of the wetland ecosystem.
- Vegetation management: Wetland vegetation should be managed to control invasive species and promote the Growth of native plants.
- Fire management: Wetland fires can be beneficial for the health of the wetland ecosystem, but they should be managed to prevent damage to property or Infrastructure-2/”>INFRASTRUCTURE.
Wetland restoration techniques include:
- Hydrological restoration: Hydrological restoration involves restoring the natural water flow to a wetland.
- Vegetation restoration: Vegetation restoration involves planting native plants in a wetland.
- Soil restoration: Soil restoration involves improving the soil quality in a wetland.
Wetland monitoring and evaluation is important to ensure that wetland conservation and management efforts are effective. Monitoring involves collecting data on wetland conditions, such as water levels, vegetation, and wildlife. Evaluation involves assessing the effectiveness of wetland conservation and management efforts.
Wetland Education and outreach is important to raise awareness of the importance of wetlands and the threats they face. Education and outreach can be conducted through a variety of channels, such as schools, community groups, and the media.
Wetland policy and legislation is important to protect wetlands from development and other threats. Wetland policy and legislation can be implemented at the local, state, and federal levels.
Wetland funding and financing is important to support wetland conservation and management efforts. Funding can be provided by governments, private organizations, and individuals.
Wetland research and development is important to improve our understanding of wetlands and how to protect them. Research and development can be conducted by universities, government agencies, and private organizations.
Wetland partnerships and collaborations are important to share information and resources and to coordinate wetland conservation and management efforts. Partnerships and collaborations can be formed between government agencies, private organizations, and individuals.
Wetland advocacy and public engagement is important to build support for wetland conservation and management efforts. Advocacy and public engagement can be conducted through a variety of channels, such as writing letters to elected officials, attending public meetings, and participating in protests.
Wetland sustainability and resilience are important to ensure that wetlands can continue to provide their benefits for future generations. Sustainability and resilience can be achieved through a variety of strategies, such as protecting existing wetlands, restoring degraded wetlands, and creating new wetlands.
Wetland future directions are uncertain, but it is clear that wetlands are facing a number of threats. It is important to take action to protect wetlands and to ensure that they can continue to provide their benefits for future generations.
What is a wetland?
A wetland is an area of land that is saturated with water, either permanently or seasonally. Wetlands include swamps, marshes, bogs, and fens. They are important ecosystems that provide a variety of benefits, including flood control, water purification, and habitat for wildlife.
What are the threats to wetlands?
Wetlands are threatened by a variety of factors, including development, pollution, and Climate change. Development can destroy wetlands by filling them in or draining them. Pollution can contaminate wetlands with chemicals and other pollutants. Climate Change can cause wetlands to dry up or become too salty.
What can be done to protect wetlands?
There are a number of things that can be done to protect wetlands, including:
- Creating laws and regulations to protect wetlands
- Raising awareness about the importance of wetlands
- Investing in wetland restoration and conservation
What are the benefits of protecting wetlands?
Protecting wetlands provides a number of benefits, including:
- Flood control: Wetlands can help to prevent flooding by absorbing excess water.
- Water purification: Wetlands can help to purify water by filtering out pollutants.
- Habitat for wildlife: Wetlands provide important habitat for a variety of wildlife, including fish, birds, and amphibians.
- Economic benefits: Wetlands can provide economic benefits through tourism, fishing, and other activities.
How can I get involved in wetland conservation?
There are a number of ways that you can get involved in wetland conservation, including:
- Volunteering with a wetland conservation organization
- Donating to a wetland conservation organization
- Learning more about wetlands and their importance
- Contacting your elected officials to advocate for wetland protection
What is the future of wetlands?
The future of wetlands depends on the actions that we take to protect them. If we continue to develop and pollute wetlands, they will continue to decline. However, if we take steps to protect them, they can thrive and provide us with many benefits for years to come.
- Wetlands are areas of land that are saturated with water, either permanently or seasonally. They include swamps, marshes, bogs, and fens.
- Wetlands provide many important benefits, including:
- Flood control: Wetlands can absorb and store floodwaters, helping to protect downstream communities from flooding.
- Water purification: Wetlands filter and clean water, helping to improve water quality for drinking, Irrigation, and other uses.
- Wildlife habitat: Wetlands provide important habitat for a variety of plants and animals, including fish, birds, and amphibians.
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Recreation: Wetlands are popular destinations for fishing, hunting, birdwatching, and other outdoor activities.
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Wetlands are threatened by a number of factors, including:
- Development: Wetlands are often converted to other uses, such as agriculture, housing, or industry.
- Pollution: Wetlands are vulnerable to pollution from runoff, sewage, and other sources.
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Climate change: Climate change is causing wetlands to dry out and become more vulnerable to damage.
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Wetlands can be protected through a variety of measures, including:
- Zoning: Wetlands can be zoned for conservation, which limits development and other activities that could harm them.
- Regulation: Wetlands can be regulated to protect them from pollution and other threats.
- Restoration: Wetlands that have been damaged can be restored to their original condition.
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Education: People can be educated about the importance of wetlands and how to protect them.
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Wetlands are an important part of our natural heritage. They provide many benefits, and they are threatened by a number of factors. We can all help to protect wetlands by supporting conservation efforts, reducing pollution, and being aware of the importance of wetlands.
Here are some MCQs about wetlands:
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What is a wetland?
(A) An area of land that is saturated with water
(B) A type of plant
(C) A type of animal
(D) A type of rock -
What are some of the benefits of wetlands?
(A) Flood control
(B) Water purification
(C) Wildlife habitat
(D) All of the above -
What are some of the threats to wetlands?
(A) Development
(B) Pollution
(C) Climate change
(D) All of the above -
How can wetlands be protected?
(A) Zoning
(B) Regulation
(C) Restoration
(D) All of the above -
Why are wetlands important?
(A) They provide many benefits
(B) They are threatened by a number of factors
(C) We can all help to protect them
(D) All of the above