Ranjan K Baruah
(With direct inputs from UN/WHO publication and feedback may be sent to bkranjan@gmail.com)
We see many water bodies around us as we have big rivers in and around us and also other water bodies whose sizes vary. When we hear about water bodies we learn about wetlands but we must know that all water bodies are not wetlands. Article 1.1 of the 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 metres." They are ecosystems where water is the primary factor controlling the environment and the associated plant and animal life. This encompasses all inland wetlands, such as marshes, ponds, lakes, fens, rivers, floodplains, and swamps; a range of coastal wetlands, including saltwater marshes, estuaries, mangroves, lagoons, and coral reefs; and human-made wetlands like fishponds, rice paddies, and salt pans. Global inland and coastal wetlands cover over 12.1 million km2, an area larger than Canada.
We need to know that though wetlands cover only around 6 per cent of the Earth's land surface, 40 per cent of all plant and animal species live or breed in wetlands and the threat and challenge are that wetlands are disappearing three times faster than forests. Coastal wetlands sequester and store carbon up to 55 times faster than tropical rain forests and the most interesting fact is that our staple food which means rice is grown in wetland paddies.
There is no doubt that wetlands are a natural solution to the era-defining global risk of climate change. Peatlands, mangroves, and seagrasses are the most effective carbon sinks on Earth, absorbing and storing twice as much carbon as all the world's forests combined. But, when drained and destroyed, wetlands emit vast amounts of carbon. They protect us from extreme weather events. They provide a buffer against the impacts of floods, droughts, hurricanes and tsunamis, and build resilience to climate change. It provides more than a billion livelihoods across the world in an array of activities that also deliver food, water supplies, transport, and leisure.
Wetlands are among the ecosystems with the highest rates of decline, loss and degradation. Indicators of current negative trends in global biodiversity and ecosystem functions are projected to continue in response to direct and indirect drivers such as rapid human population growth, unsustainable production and consumption and associated technological development, as well as the adverse impacts of climate change.
"Wetlands Action for People and Nature" is the theme for 2022 highlighting the importance of actions to ensure the conservation and sustainable use of wetlands for human and planetary health. On 30 August 2021, the UN General Assembly proclaimed 2 February as World Wetlands Day to raise awareness of the urgency of reversing the accelerating loss of wetlands and to promote their conservation and restoration. The day marks the date of the adoption of the "Convention on Wetlands of International Importance" held in 1971 in the Iranian city of Ramsar on the shores of the Caspian Sea.
Healthy wetlands are essential to achieving the following Sustainable Development Goals. There are currently over 2,400 Ramsar Sites around the world. They cover over 2.5 million square kilometres, an area larger than Mexico. The network of Ramsar Sites includes coastal and inland wetlands of all types. The Convention on Wetlands works to reverse wetland loss and degradation worldwide. Discover more about these fascinating places and how we can take action to protect our wetlands. There are 47 Ramsar sites in the country out of which 3 are in the North-Eastern region which includes Deepor Beel in Assam, Loktak Lake in Manipur and Rudrasagar Lake in Tripura.
We are already worried due to climate change and its impact. The best thing is that wetlands are a natural solution to the era-defining global threat of climate change as they absorb carbon dioxide to help slow global heating and reduce pollution. These water bodies or wetlands are also known as "Kidneys of the Earth". Wetlands like Deepor Beel or Loktak are also facing challenges and threats. Increase in population and unhealthy urbanization is bringing a threat to wetlands in urban areas. Wetlands are rural and other areas are also in threat due to many other causes. It is a challenge for us to save and protect wetlands as they are going to save us from climate change and other calamities.
If managed properly then wetlands can benefit all of us. They can be used for tourism purposes with the promotion of eco-tourism. It can generate livelihoods for millions as a first, and other food items are available in wetlands. We need massive awareness of the importance of wetlands so that we understand their value and contribute to their protection and conservation. Together we can make a difference and let us take up the challenge to safeguard the Kidneys of the Earth.