The Minister of State for Environment, Forest and Climate Change recently made a significant announcement on World Wetlands Day. A new organisation, the Centre for Wetland Conservation and Management (CWCM), is being established as a part of the National Centre for Sustainable Coastal Management (NCSCM). World Wetlands Day falls on the 2nd of February each year. The year 2021 marked the 50th anniversary of the Convention on Wetlands, first held in the Iranian city of Ramsar on this date in 1971. The theme for 2021 was ‘Wetlands and Water’.
The Role of CWCM
The Centre for Wetland Conservation and Management is expected to fill a crucial role in wetland conservation. It is dedicated to addressing specific research needs and knowledge gaps. The center will facilitate the application of integrated approaches for the conservation, management, and wise use of the wetlands. It will collaborate with relevant national and international agencies to build partnerships. It will not only serve as a knowledge hub but will also enable exchange between different stakeholders including State/ UT Wetland Authorities, wetland users, managers, researchers, policy-makers and practitioners. Furthermore, it will assist various governments in the planning, monitoring, and implementation of policies, regulatory frameworks, and targeted research for wetlands conservation.
Understanding the Importance of Wetlands
Wetlands are ecosystems that are saturated with water and include various habitats such as mangroves, marshes, rivers, lakes, deltas, floodplains, flooded forests, rice-fields, coral reefs, marine areas of certain depth, and human-made wetlands like waste-water treatment ponds and reservoirs. Despite covering only around 6% of the Earth’s land surface, they are home to 40% of all plant and animal species. They play a multitude of roles – they mitigate floods, protect coastlines, absorb pollutants, improve water quality, and build community resilience to disasters. In addition, they are a vital source for food, raw materials, genetic resources for medicines, and hydropower.
Threats to Wetlands
As per the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES)’s global assessment, wetlands are the most threatened ecosystem. They are vanishing three times faster than forests. This rapid decrease in wetland area may have serious impacts on the 40% of the world’s flora and fauna that live in or breed in wetlands. The primary reasons behind the decline include agriculture, development, pollution, and climate change.
The Condition of Wetlands in India
In India, nearly 4.6% of its land is wetlands, covering an area of 15.26 million hectares. The nation has 42 sites designated as Wetlands of International Importance, also known as Ramsar Sites. These sites are protected under the strict guidelines of the Ramsar Convention. Recently, Tso Kar Wetland Complex in Ladakh was added as the country’s 42nd Ramsar site. The Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules implemented in 2017 help regulate the wetlands. As per these rules, the process to identify the wetlands has been delegated to the States, and a National Wetland Committee, which functions in an advisory role, was created.
National Centre for Sustainable Coastal Management
The National Centre for Sustainable Coastal Management (NCSCM), located in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, strives to promote integrated and sustainable management of the coastal and marine areas in India for the benefit and wellbeing of the traditional coastal and island communities. The NCSCM has several research divisions including Geospatial Sciences, Remote Sensing and Geographic Information Systems (GIS), Coastal environmental impact assessment, and Conservation of Coastal & Marine Resources among others. The centre also plays a significant role in mapping the Hazard Line for the entire coast of India, which includes vulnerability mapping of flood, erosion, and sea-level rise. It advises the Union and State Governments and other associated stakeholders on policy and scientific matters related to Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM).
Last Modified: February 10, 2024