Recently, International Wetland Day was celebrated across the globe. In this report, I am focusing briefly on how Wetlands play an important role and highlighting a few of the threatened wetlands in India. Wetlands support wide varieties of plant and animal species. It is one of the most threatened of all the environmental resources present on Earth. Let us see the major wetlands in India, its importance and how it is being threatened. Wetlands have been playing a crucial role in human history major stages in the evolution of life itself probably took place in nutrient-rich coastal areas. Some of the first prehistoric cultures – such as those of the Mesolithic settlements around the post-glacial lake margins and coastal of Europe and those of the regions in North America – were dependent on wetlands for food and materials for building, shelter and clothing. Flood control is one of the most important wetlands acting like sponges, storing and slowly releasing rainfall and runoff, thus reducing flood peak, which in turn can reduce the need for expensive dams and other engineering buildings and infrastructures. The binding effect of their vegetation is another important aspect of wetlands which helps in stabilizing the shores and banks. It also helps in the accretion of sediments, thus counteracting forces of erosion, subsidence and sea level rise. It has a prominent role too in groundwater recharge and discharge. Recharge occurs when water moves from wetland into the underground aquifers. The wetland acts as a filter for certain kinds of waste and soluble contaminants. The process is important for controlling storm water run-off, for replenishing supplies of water for human consumption and also in maintaining the flow of groundwater which may support other wetlands at the point of discharge. Discharge of wetland stored groundwater is important in sustaining the agricultural production of surrounding land. Due to regular deposition of nutrient rich silt contributed to the success of agriculture along large rivers. Sediment is also vital for maintaining aquatic fertility and physical stability of floodplains and deltas. Now, tampering with wetlands damages their ability to deal with various contaminants and nutrients. Biological, chemical and physical processes in wetlands are often able to immobilize a transform a wide range of environmental contaminants and nutrients, which in excess, would lead to cause severe eutrophication and pollution. Pesticides, heavy metals and other industrial wastes can be bound to soil and sediment particles and there be rendered more or less inert. Over the years, it has been a serious concern of wetlands loss.   

1.      Keoladeo National Park, Rajasthan: It is the only wintering site in India for Siberan cranes and a large numbers of aquatic birds from Central Asia. Due to scarcity of water, it is resulting in parched situation for wildlife.

2.      Loktak Lake, Manipur: It plays an important role in the economy of Manipur – source for hydropower, irrigation and drinking water purposes. The Keibul Lamjao National Park is a unique floating wildlife reserve and the only home of the endangered Manipur brow-antlered deer or Sangai. Due to deforestation in the area, the rate of soil erosion has increased, while other developmental activities are threatening the lake and the vegetal cover is being losing significantly.

3.      Deepor Beel, Assam: It is the only major storm water storage basin for the city of Guwahati. Some of the globally threatened birds are living here – Spotbilled Pelican, Stork, Baer?s Pochard. It is now threatened with large scale encroachment, industries, and other hunting and poaching activites.

4.      Chilika Lake, Orissa: This brackish lake has a rich bird life with over 150 recorded migratory and resident species and supports staging for 33 species of water birds. It has been facing problems due to siltation and sedimentation and changes in salinity level.

5.      Tso Moriri Lake, Jammu & Kashmir: It is said to represent the only breeding ground outside China for the black-necked craneand the only breeding ground for Bar-headed geese in India. The barley fields at Korzok have been described as the highest cultivated land in the world.