WETLAND ECOSYSTEM

Published on 23 Feb 2025

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”.

Significance of Wetlands

• Economic Drivers: Wetlands support livelihoods through fishing, harvesting reeds for crafts (like water hyacinth for mats in Kerala), and ecotourism ventures in places like Keoladeo National Park.

• Climate Regulators: Wetlands help regulate local temperatures and influence rainfall patterns, benefiting agriculture in regions.

• Recharging Groundwater:  Wetlands act as natural sponges, replenishing groundwater supplies crucial for drinking water and irrigation 

• Coastal Protectors: Mangrove forests shield coastlines from erosion and storm surges, safeguarding communities along the Indian Ocean (e.g., the Pichavaram mangrove forest in Tamil Nadu).

• Fish Production Powerhouse: Wetlands provide a large portion of India's fish harvest, like the Chilika Lake, a hotspot for prawn and fish farming.

• Nutrient Factories: Shallow waters and rich organic matter fuel the base of the food web for fish, amphibians as the endangered Indian black softshell turtle

• Natural Water Filters: Wetlands absorb pollutants and store carbon, preventing it from entering the atmosphere. 

• Flood Buffers: Wetlands act as sponges, soaking up excess water and reducing flood risks in areas like the Brahmaputra River floodplain.

• Biodiversity Hotspots: Wetlands teem with life, supporting unique plants and animals like the Ganges River dolphin and the endangered Indian crocodile. These ecosystems are crucial for migratory birds like the Amur falcon, which visit wetlands in India during their winter migration.

• Cultural Significance:  Wetlands are often sacred spaces for communities, like the Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary, a revered pilgrimage site for birdwatchers.

Threats faced by wetlands

• Urban Sprawl:  Development pressures threaten wetlands near cities, jeopardizing water supplies.

• Example: Rapid development in Bengaluru has encroached upon Jakkur Lake, a vital source of water for the city.

• Agriculture:  Conversion of wetlands to paddy fields and irrigation projects disrupts water flow.

• Example:  Conversion of wetlands in Punjab for rice cultivation has led to a decline in migratory bird populations

• Pollution:  While wetlands filter some pollutants, industrial waste and heavy metals overwhelm their capacity.

• Example: Pollution from industrial units near the Chilka Lake in Odisha threatens its rich prawn and fish biodiversity.

• Climate Change:  Rising temperatures, altered rainfall patterns, and sea level rise threaten wetland health.

• Example: A 2°C rise in temperature by 2050 is expected to significantly alter wetland ecosystems in India

• Dredging & Draining:  Removing water and bottom material disrupts wetland ecosystems.

• Example: Dredging activities in the Brahmaputra River have negatively impacted the endangered River Dolphin.

• Invasive Species:  Introduced plants like water hyacinth clog waterways and outcompete native vegetation.

• Salinization:  Over-pumping groundwater leads to saltwater intrusion, harming wetland life.

• Example: Salinization of wetlands in Gujarat has impacted the breeding grounds of the critically endangered Flamingo population.

Measures to protect and conserve wetlands

• National Schemes:

• National Wetland Conservation Programme (NWCP): Provides funding for projects like: 

• Management plan for the Chilika Lake in Odisha: This plan focuses on sustainable fishing practices, pollution control, and habitat protection for the endangered Irrawaddy dolphins.

• Amrit Dharohar Scheme: This recently launched initiative supports projects like: 

• Promoting eco-friendly tourism: in the Keoladeo National Park: This aims to generate revenue for wetland management while offering responsible birdwatching experience.

• Developing sustainable agricultural practices near the Vembanad lake system: This program encourages water-efficient techniques and organic farming to reduce pollution entering the wetlands.

• Policy and Regulation:

• Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules, 2017: These rules establish a framework for identifying and demarcating wetlands like the Sundarbans mangrove forest, and regulate activities like construction and pollution discharge within them.

• Ramsar Convention: India is a signatory, with 80 designated Ramsar sites, including recent additions Aghanashini Estuary and Magadi Kere Conservation Reserve in Karnataka. These receive international attention and importance.

• Community Engagement:

• Joint Forest Management (JFM): Local communities like those around the Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary participate in wetland protection activities such as patrolling to prevent encroachment and planting native trees.

• Awareness Campaigns: Initiatives like the Wetland Mitra program by WWF-India educate school children and local communities about the importance of wetlands and how to conserve them.

• Conservation Strategies:

• Wetland Restoration Projects: Efforts are underway to restore degraded wetlands like: 

• Eradicating water hyacinth from the backwaters of Kerala: This project utilizes manual removal and biological control methods to restore waterways and native vegetation.

• Protected Areas: India has designated numerous National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries like the Kaziranga National Park in Assam, which protects critical wetland habitat for the one-horned rhinoceros and a variety of bird species.

• Sustainable Practices:

• Promoting ecotourism: Birdwatching tours in wetlands like the Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary in Kerala generate revenue for conservation efforts while educating visitors about the unique biodiversity.

• Encouraging sustainable agriculture: Programs promote practices like System of Rice Intensification (SRI) that require less water and reduce pesticide use in areas bordering wetlands, minimizing pollution runoff.

Tags:
Geography

Keywords:
WETLAND ECOSYSTEM Significance of Wetlands Threats faced by wetlands Measures to protect and conserve wetlands

Syllabus:
General Studies Paper 1

Topics:
Physical Geography