This article is part of the UPSC Daily Editorial Analysis, covering The Hindu editorial – " The necessity of mainstreaming wetland conservation," published on 1^st March, by the best UPSC coaching in Kolkata.

 Syllabus: UPSC GS Paper 3 – Environment & Ecology

 The Meghalaya High Court has taken suo motu action to monitor wetland conservation, underscoring their ecological importance. Despite covering 6% of Earth’s surface and providing 40.6% of global ecosystem services, wetlands face rapid loss due to urbanization, climate change and pollution.

India a Ramsar Convention signatory, has 89 Ramsar sites yet 30% of its wetlands have vanished in four decades. Weak enforcement and unchecked encroachments threaten these biodiversity hotspots. Strengthening ecosystem-based conservation and integrating wetlands into development planning is crucial for sustainability.

Context

The Meghalaya High Court has recently initiated a suo motu public interest litigation (PIL) to monitor the conservation of wetlands in the state. This highlights the critical role of wetlands in the ecosystem and the urgent need for their protection.

What are wetlands?

According to the Ramsar Convention wetlands are 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 tide does not exceed six metres”.

 Five major wetland types are generally recognized:

• marine (coastal wetlands including coastal lagoons, rocky shores and coral reefs);
• estuarine (including deltas, tidal marshes and mangrove swamps);
• lacustrine (wetlands associated with lakes);
• riverine (wetlands along rivers and streams); and
• palustrine (meaning “marshy” - marshes, swamps and bogs).

Why Do We Need to Conserve Wetlands?

Pressures on Wetlands

Wetlands, covering 12.1 million km² globally (6% of the earth’s surface), contribute 40.6% of global ecosystem services. However, they are under severe stress due to:

• Urbanization and industrialization
• Population growth and land use changes
• Climate change impacts

Alarming Rate of Wetland Loss

The world has lost 87% of natural wetlands since the 1700s, with 35% disappearing since the 1970s. In India, nearly one-third of natural wetlands have been lost in the last four decades due to urbanization, agricultural expansion and pollution. Wetlands are vanishing three times faster than forests and their rate of disappearance is increasing.

Threats to Wetlands

Wetlands are under threat from reclamation, drainage, pollution, hydrological alterations and over-exploitation of natural resources. These factors lead to biodiversity loss and degrade the vital ecosystem services wetlands provide.

Some more stats on Wetland Degradation

• 50% of global wetlands have been lost since 1900.
• 35% decline in wetland surface area (coastal and inland) from 1970 to 2015.
• Wetland species are rapidly declining:
  • • 81% decline in inland wetland species
    • 36% decline in coastal and marine species
    • Higher extinction risk for wetland-dependent species

Key Role in maintaining Ecological Balance

Wetlands play a crucial role in maintaining ecological balance, offering essential services such as water filtration, flood control and climate regulation. Conserving wetlands is vital to ensuring a healthy environment and protecting the delicate ecosystems they support.

Biodiversity Hotspots and Genetic Reservoirs

Wetlands are among the most productive ecosystems on Earth, acting as cradles of biological diversity. They provide essential water and primary productivity that sustain a wide range of species, including birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians, fish and invertebrates. Additionally, wetlands serve as storehouses of plant genetic material, such as rice, a staple food for more than half of the world's population.

Vital for Water Security and Climate Resilience

With global freshwater consumption rising sixfold between 1900 and 1995—more than twice the rate of population growth—wetlands play a crucial role in water storage and purification. Today, one-third of the global population faces moderate to high water stress and by 2025 two out of three people may live under water-stressed conditions. Wetlands act as natural water filters and help in mitigating the effects of climate change, making their conservation an urgent priority.

Broader Implications of Wetland Degradation

• Loss of ecosystem services: A study in Cali, Colombia, estimated a $76,827 per hectare per year loss due to urban wetland degradation.
• Impact on climate change: Wetlands act as both carbon sinks and sources necessitating better monitoring and evaluation.
• Limited conservation efforts: Current policies focus only on major wetlands and ecological aspects, ignoring socio-economic and governance factors.

Wetland Conservation in India

India is a signatory to the Ramsar Convention and has 89 Ramsar sites. Despite this, wetlands continue to decline due to urban expansion and pollution.

Key Statistics on Wetland Loss in India

• 30% of India’s natural wetlands lost in four decades (Wetlands International South Asia estimate).
• Mumbai lost 71% of its wetlands (1970-2014).
• East Kolkata Wetlands shrank by 36% (1991-2021).
• Chennai lost 85% of its wetlands (World Wide Fund for Nature study).
• Coastal wetlands declined between 2006-07 and 2017-18 (Space Applications Centre study).

Does India Have a Policy to Protect Wetlands?

Yes, India has several policies and legal frameworks to protect wetlands at both national and international levels.

International Commitments: The Ramsar Convention

India is a party to the Ramsar Convention, an intergovernmental treaty that provides a framework for conservation and sustainable use of wetlands globally. India became a party to the Convention in 1982. 

What is the Ramsar Convention and what is its mission? The Convention on Wetlands of International Importance, commonly known as the Ramsar Convention, is a global treaty dedicated to the conservation and sustainable use of wetlands. It is the only international agreement focusing on a single ecosystem. The treaty was negotiated during the 1960s by countries and non-governmental organizations concerned about wetland loss and degradation, especially for migratory waterbirds. It was adopted in Ramsar, Iran, in 1971 and came into force in 1975. Mission of the Ramsar Convention The Ramsar Convention has 171 Contracting Parties (member countries) that commit to upholding its three pillars: Wise Use of Wetlands: Promoting sustainable management and conservation of all wetlands within their territories. Designation of Ramsar Sites: Identifying and protecting Wetlands of International Importance (Ramsar Sites). International Cooperation: Collaborating on transboundary wetlands, shared wetland systems and species conservation. Criteria for Identifying Wetlands of International Importance The Ramsar Convention uses nine scientific and ecological criteria to determine whether a wetland qualifies for the Ramsar List. These criteria assess the wetland’s ecological, hydrological and biodiversity value. As of February 2025, India has a total of 89 Ramsar sites. The map of all Ramsar Sites are given below:

Legal Protection Under National Laws

Wetlands are protected under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, which ensures environmental conservation. The National Environment Policy, 2006, acknowledges the ecosystem services of wetlands and calls for a regulatory mechanism to maintain their ecological character.

Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules, 2017

This specific regulatory framework was introduced under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 to ensure conservation and sustainable management of wetlands. In 2020, guidelines were issued by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) to support state-level implementation.

Mapping and Inventory of Wetlands

India conducted a National Wetland Inventory and Assessment (NWIA) using remote sensing satellites (2006-2011). The assessment identified 757,060 wetlands, covering 15.26 million hectares (4.63% of India’s total area).

Government Schemes for Wetland Conservation

• National Plan for Conservation of Aquatic Ecosystems (NPCA) – formerly the National Wetlands Conservation Programme (1986), this initiative supports management plans for prioritized wetlands.
• Repair, Renovation and Restoration of Water Bodies – operated by the Ministry of Jal Shakti, this scheme focuses on reviving degraded water bodies to enhance wetland conservation.

World Wetlands Day

Since 1971, February 2 has been observed as World Wetlands Day to commemorate the adoption of the Ramsar Convention, an international treaty for wetland conservation signed in Ramsar, Iran. The 2023 theme, Protecting Wetlands for Our Common Future, aligns wetlands with sustainable development goals, as emphasized in the Brundtland Report (1987).

Challenges in Wetland Conservation and Management

Wetlands provide nature-based solutions for water management, climate change mitigation and urban infrastructure. However, their conservation cannot be a standalone initiative. The Ramsar Convention COP14 (2022) emphasized:

• Preparation of the fifth Ramsar Strategic Plan
• Integrating wetland conservation with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the Global Biodiversity Framework and climate action frameworks (UNFCCC, IPBES, IPCC)
• Addressing new challenges, including COVID-19 impacts and biodiversity loss

Way Forward: Integrating Wetland Management with Development Planning

Wetlands are integral to ecological, economic and social security. The current conservation approach is insufficient and an integrated, ecosystem-based strategy is essential for sustainable wetland management in India and globally.

• Implement ecosystem-based wetland management strategies.
• Mainstream wetland conservation into development policies, as recommended in Ramsar COP14.
• Strengthen monitoring mechanisms for both natural and man-made wetlands.
• Enhance climate resilience through effective carbon sequestration measures.
• Address ex-situ pressures, such as land use changes, urban encroachments and governance challenges.
  

PRACTICE QUESTION Examine the key challenges in wetland conservation in India and suggest a roadmap for their sustainable management. (250 words)

1. What is the current status of wetland loss in India?

India has lost 30% of its wetlands in four decades due to urbanization, pollution and climate change, despite having 89 Ramsar sites.

2. How does the Ramsar Convention help in wetland conservation?

The Ramsar Convention is an international treaty that promotes wise use, designation of Ramsar sites and global cooperation for wetland protection.

3. What legal measures exist for wetland conservation in India?

Wetlands are protected under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, the Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules, 2017 and government schemes like NPCA.

4. What are the key challenges in wetland conservation?

Weak enforcement, unchecked encroachments, pollution and lack of integration with urban planning and climate policies threaten wetland sustainability.