On February 2, 2026, the world observed World Wetlands Day under the theme “Wetlands and traditional knowledge: Celebrating cultural heritage”. For India, the theme is not symbolic but lived reality. Across regions, wetlands have long been embedded in social organisation, food security, water management and cultural practices. Yet, even as their ecological and economic value is widely acknowledged, wetlands remain among the country’s most threatened ecosystems. The contradiction lies not in the absence of policy, but in weak and fragmented implementation.
How Communities Historically Shaped Wetland Landscapes
Traditional wetland use in India evolved through intimate knowledge of hydrology, seasons and local ecology. In Tamil Nadu, human-made tanks or kulams were constructed in cascades, allowing rainwater to flow from one tank to another, sustaining paddy cultivation while recharging groundwater. These systems were maintained through collective norms rather than centralised control.
In Wayanad, shallow wells known as kenis, some over two centuries old, continue to supply drinking water and support rituals and festivals. Along the eastern coast in Srikakulam, wetlands underpin traditional fishing systems that balance seasonal harvests with ecological renewal. Such examples exist across India, where wetlands function simultaneously as ecology and economy, habitat and heritage.
Why Wetlands Are Under Exceptional Stress Today
Wetlands sit at the intersection of land, water and development, making them uniquely vulnerable. Estimates suggest that nearly 40% of India’s wetlands have disappeared in the last three decades, while about half of the remaining area shows signs of degradation. Encroachment for infrastructure, housing and roads has been the single largest driver, particularly in peri-urban and floodplain areas.
Even where wetlands survive, their catchments are often altered beyond recognition. Old cadastral maps rarely match current ground realities, complicating protection. Hydrological disruptions caused by dams, embankments, channelisation, sand mining and groundwater over-extraction interfere with the timing and flow of water that wetlands depend on. Riparian wetlands and floodplains are especially at risk, as they are frequently treated as vacant land rather than as integral river space.
Pollution, Urban Pressure and Coastal Squeeze
Urban wetlands face a triple burden. They are expected to store floodwater, absorb storm runoff, receive sewage and remain biodiverse — often without legal buffers or functional protection. Untreated sewage, industrial effluents, agricultural runoff and solid waste lead to eutrophication, collapsing biodiversity and eroding the wetland’s capacity to purify water and buffer floods.
Coastal wetlands face an added layer of complexity. Sea-level rise, cyclones and shoreline change now interact with ports, tourism, aquaculture and settlement expansion. Mangroves and lagoons are trapped between development pressure on the landward side and rising seas on the seaward side, leaving little room for natural migration or adaptation.
India’s Policy Architecture: Adequate on Paper, Weak on Ground
India does not lack legal or policy instruments. The Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules, 2017 provide a framework for identification, notification and regulation of activities. The National Plan for Conservation of Aquatic Ecosystems (NPCA) promotes structured planning, monitoring and outcome-oriented management. Coastal wetlands are governed by the Coastal Regulation Zone framework, while Ramsar designation brings global recognition and responsibility.
India currently has 98 Ramsar sites, which are not mere badges but commitments to wise use and conservation. Institutions such as the M.S. Swaminathan Research Foundation have demonstrated that site-based, participatory approaches can link wetland conservation with livelihoods. However, these instruments often operate in silos, lacking a unified operational rhythm from mapping and notification to restoration and adaptive management.
Capacity Gaps and Institutional Constraints
A persistent challenge lies in institutional capacity. State wetland authorities are frequently understaffed and underfunded, with limited expertise in hydrology, ecology, GIS, legal enforcement and community engagement. These gaps translate into weak management plans and even weaker implementation. Without sustained training and accountability, policy intent fails to translate into ecological outcomes.
From Fragmented Projects to Functional Ecosystems
What is needed is a shift in approach. Wetland governance must move from short-term “projects” to long-term programmes, from cosmetic beautification to ecological functionality, and from departmental silos to basin- and watershed-scale planning. Notification and demarcation of wetland boundaries must be paired with publicly accessible maps, grievance redress mechanisms and participatory ground-truthing.
Urban and peri-urban wetlands cannot be treated as substitutes for sewage treatment plants. Ensuring treated inflows is non-negotiable, with constructed wetlands playing a complementary role where feasible. Protecting catchments and hydrological connectivity — by restoring feeder channels, preventing blockages and regulating extraction — is central to any meaningful restoration effort.
Wetlands as Infrastructure for Climate and Disaster Resilience
Coastal and riparian wetlands must be recognised as nature-based infrastructure. Mangroves, floodplains, mudflats and urban wetlands reduce disaster risk by buffering floods, storm surges and erosion. Planning authorities should invest in them with the same seriousness accorded to “grey” infrastructure, while ensuring that conservation measures remain sensitive to local livelihoods.
What to Note for Prelims?
- World Wetlands Day is observed on February 2.
- Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules, 2017: key legal framework.
- National Plan for Conservation of Aquatic Ecosystems (NPCA).
- India has 98 Ramsar sites.
- Role of wetlands in flood control, water purification and climate resilience.
What to Note for Mains?
- Link between traditional knowledge systems and sustainable wetland management.
- Implementation gaps despite adequate policy frameworks.
- Wetlands as multiple-use systems and nature-based infrastructure.
- Challenges of urbanisation, pollution and hydrological disruption.
- Need for basin-level governance, capacity building and community participation.
World Wetlands Day 2026 may have passed, but its message remains urgent. Aligning science with policy, and policy with people — drawing equally on modern tools and traditional wisdom — is essential if wetlands are to remain living systems rather than degraded remnants. India’s water security and climate resilience depend on it.
