Answer :-
- Wetlands play a critical role in achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by acting as natural shields against climate change, maintaining climate equilibrium, ensuring food security, providing clean water, and conserving biodiversity. For example:
| Role of Wetlands in Achieving Sustainable Development Goals |
- SDG 2 (Zero Hunger) – Food Security: Paddy (rice) cultivation is carried out in wetlands. Furthermore, fish depend on coastal wetlands for a part of their life cycle.
- Example: The Thrissur-Ponnani Kole Wetlands, where paddy cultivation has been practiced since the 18th century.
- SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation):
- Water Storage: Wetlands assist in groundwater recharge, making fresh water available for consumption and irrigation. Example: The Nakivubo Swamp in Uganda.
- Kidneys of the Landscape: They purify and filter harmful waste from water by trapping pollutants in their sediment, acting as natural filters for groundwater recharge.
- SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth) – Source of Livelihood: Wetlands are vital for labor-intensive sectors such as agriculture, paddy cultivation, commercial fishing, aquaculture, and tourism.
- Example: According to the Center for Biodiversity Policy and Law (CEBPOL), approximately 66 crore (660 million) people depend on fishing and aquaculture in wetlands for their livelihood.
- SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities): The inclusive and sustainable development of wetlands helps reduce socio-economic and ecological inequalities.
- SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities): Preserving and promoting the cultural heritage associated with wetlands. Examples: Keoladeo National Park, Chilika Lake. Many cities have historically developed and flourished in the embrace of wetlands.
- SDG 13 (Climate Action) – Carbon Sinks: Although wetlands cover only about 3% of the world’s land surface, they are immensely important for carbon sequestration, storing approximately 30% of land-based carbon—nearly twice the amount stored in all the world's forests combined.
- Example: The Congo Basin, which contains the world's largest tropical peatland.
- SDG 15 (Life on Land): Wetlands are known as "Biological Super Systems" because they produce large amounts of food and support remarkable levels of biodiversity. In terms of species richness and diversity, they are as affluent as rainforests and coral reefs.
- Example: About 40% of the world's plant and animal species depend on wetlands.
| Measures Taken for the Restoration of Wetlands |
1. International Efforts
- Ramsar Convention and Ramsar Sites in India: Adopted in 1971, this is an intergovernmental treaty that provides the framework for the conservation and wise use of wetlands and their resources. India became a party to the Ramsar Convention in 1982, and currently, India has 75 Ramsar sites covering an area of 13,26,677 hectares.
- Wetlands International: A global non-profit organization dedicated to the conservation and restoration of wetlands and their resources worldwide. It is an independent, global body supported by memberships from governments and non-governmental organizations around the world.
2. National Efforts (India)
- Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules, 2017: Notified under the provisions of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, these rules provide a regulatory framework for the conservation and management of wetlands in India.
- National Plan for Conservation of Aquatic Eco-systems (NPCA): Launched in 2013, this is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme for the conservation and management of wetlands in the country. Its objective is the holistic conservation and restoration of wetlands, alongside improving biodiversity and ecosystem health.
- Establishment of the National Centre for Sustainable Coastal Management / Centre for Wetland Conservation and Management: This dedicated center addresses specific research needs and knowledge gaps related to wetlands, assisting in the application of integrated approaches for the conservation, management, and wise use of wetlands.
Conclusion
- In conclusion, the conservation of wetlands is not merely an environmental necessity but an imperative condition for human survival, climate balance, biodiversity conservation, and sustainable development. Their destruction will trigger ecological imbalance, water crises, floods, droughts, and livelihood challenges. Therefore, the conservation and wise use of wetlands must be ensured through local participation, effective policies, and international cooperation.