Wetlands

• A wetland is an area of land that is either covered with water or saturated with water. Unique plants, called hydrophytes, define wetland ecosystems.
• These are transition zones between terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. Ex. Mangroves, Lake littorals (marginal areas between highest & lowest water level of the lakes), floodplains (areas lying adjacent to the river channels beyond the natural levees and periodically flooded during high discharge in the river) & other marshy or swampy areas.

Importance of Wetlands

• Nature’s own filter- Act as “nature’s kidneys” by recycling nutrient & removing sediments from surface & groundwater. Make surrounding land mass fertile for the growth of crops.
• Biodiversity conservation -Wetlands contribute to human wellbeing through provision of food, energy and clean water, support to livelihoods and biodiversity.
• Enhance climate adaptation & resilience from extreme weather- It helps in replenish groundwater; their filtering capacity helps to protect groundwater quality. Acts like a sponge & helps in flood control by soaking extra water from the surroundings. Thus it acts as buffer shorelines against erosion & pollutants.
• Carbon emission Mitigation - Acts as a carbon sink, soils around wetlands can store carbon for many years (climate change mitigation).
• Provides ecological, cultural & socio-economic benefits to society - Provides habitat for wildlife & fisheries, including threatened species. It provides opportunities for tourism (recreational), research fishing and other commercial activities.

Thus, protecting and restoring wetlands for climate mitigation and adaptation reflects a key tenet of Ramsar’s Strategic Plan and represents progress towards meeting the Sustainable Development Goals and the Paris Agreement on Climate Change.

Ramsar Convention

The Ramsar Convention is the intergovernmental treaty that provides the framework for the conservation and wise use of wetlands and their resources.

 The Convention was adopted in the Iranian city of Ramsar in 1971 and came into force in 1975. Since then, almost 90% of UN member states have become “Contracting Parties” .

• It is the only global environment treaty dealing with a particular ecosystem and wetlands.
• Definition of Wetlands: Wetlands include lakes, rivers, swamps, marshes, wet grasslands, peatlands, oases, estuaries, deltas, tidal flats, near-shore marine areas, mangroves, coral reefs, human-made sites such as fishponds, rice paddies, reservoirs and salt pans.
• UK has the highest number of wetlands recognized by Ramsar Convention. Bolivia has greatest area of listed wetlands. India has a total of 75 Ramsar sites.

Montreux Record

• A register of wetland sites on the List of Wetlands of international importance where changes in ecological character have occurred, are occurring, or are likely to occur because of technological developments, pollution or other human interference and therefore in need of priority conservation attention.
• It is maintained as part of the Ramsar convention.

Montreux Record Sites in India

• Chilka Lake (Odisha) was placed under Montreux Record but was later removed after conservation interventions and improvement in situation. Presently Loktak Lake (Manipur) and Keoladeo national Park (Rajasthan) are designated under Montreux record owing to ecological concerns.

Wetlands (Conservation & Management) Rules, 2017

• Ministry of environment forest and climate change (MoEFCC) has notified Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules, 2017 (Wetlands Rules) under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 as framework for conservation & management of wetlands in India.

Key Provisions

• Decentralisation: The management of wetlands has been decentralized. The powers have been given to the State governments so that protection and conservation work can be done at the local level. Central government has mainly retained powers regarding monitoring.
• State or UT wetland authorities: States and UTs have been given the responsibility for wetland management by setting up State and UT Wetland Authorities (SWAs).
• SWA’s will be headed by environment minister and include other government officials as well as experts from the fields of wetland ecology, hydrology, fisheries, landscape planning and socioeconomics.

Functions of SWA’s

• SWAs have to identify and notify the wetlands for protection within a stipulated time.
• Develop a comprehensive list of activities to be regulated and permitted within notified wetlands and their zone of influence.
• Recommend additional prohibited activities for specific wetlands, define strategies for conservation and wise use of wetlands, and undertake measures for enhancing awareness within stakeholders and local communities on functions of wetlands.
• State authorities will need to prepare a list of all wetlands of the State or UT within three months, a list of wetlands to be notified within six months, a comprehensive digital inventory of all wetlands within one year which will be updated every ten years.

Guidelines for implementing wetlands (conservation and management) rules, 2017

The guidelines clarified that all wetlands, irrespective of their location, size, ownership, biodiversity, or ecosystem services values, can be notified under the Wetlands Rules 2017, except:

• river channels
• paddy fields
• human-made water bodies specifically constructed for drinking water.
• aquaculture
• salt production
• recreation
• irrigation purposes
• Wetlands falling within areas covered under the Indian Forest Act, 1927, Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980, Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 and the Coastal Regulation Zone Notification, 2011.
• Protected Areas and areas falling within the purview of Coastal Zone Regulation

National Wetland Committee

• NWC will be headed by the MoEFCC Secretary, to monitor the implementation of these rules.
• NWC has a merely advisory role. These include:
• Advising central government on proposals received from states/UTs for the omission of prohibited activities.
• Prescribing guidelines for integrated management of wetlands based on wise-use principle.
• Recommending transboundary wetlands for notification.
• Reviewing the progress of integrated management of Ramsar Convention sites.

Prohibited activities under the new rules

• Conversion of wetland for non-wetland uses including encroachment of any kind,
• Setting up of any industry and expansion of existing industries.
• Manufacture or handling or storage or disposal of hazardous substances and construction and demolition waste.
• Solid waste dumping.
• Discharge of untreated wastes and effluents from industries, cities, towns, villages and other human settlements.

The Rules also restrict any kind of encroachment, poaching, or permanent construction, except for boat jetties within 50 metres of the mean high flood level observed in the past 10 years.