2 February is World Wetlands Day, a day that marks the adaptation of the convention of Wetlands in 1971, also first celebrated in 1997, exactly two decades ago. Sadly, man had continued with his uncontrolled human activities such as waste disposal, over extraction of materials and hunting of the threatened species, which means that the wetland is critically threatened, despite its immense importance for both biodiversity and local people.

A lot of credit should be given to the role played by wetlands in our communities. Wetlands act like sponges, holding water, filtering and purifying it before sending it into the water bodies like lakes and rivers, a great part in the waste water treatment. They also are habitats to a number of bird and animal species, some such as the Sitatunga swamp antelope, the Shoebill and the Papyrus Yellow Warbler whose existence is at a great threat.

To some extent, they help to reduce on the occurance of floods in our societies as they have naturally occurring vegetation closely packed together, also helping in the reduction of water speed and volumes flowing into an area. Man continues to cut down vegetation replacing it with his food plants, which cannot play the role quite well. In addition, the construction of houses in swampy areas greatly contributes to flooding as the houses may block the path of water if drainage is not put into consideration during construction.

Some of these challenges could even further worsen climate change but as environment champions, we should work with the 17 Sustainable Development Goals which also provide us an opportunity to celebrate wetlands. The fight should  not only be left to the governments since we also at different levels can do something. I would like to share a few examples of actions we can take, some which we already know of. At individual and community level, we can become a wetlands ambassador and work with family, friends and community members to use water sparingly, to conserve and restore wetlands and to create alternative sources of livelihoods.

Communities can lead efforts to check how wetlands are used in their local areas and participate in clearing the rubbish that is often dumped there as well as unblocking the streams from which they receive water.

Communities can also establish guides, make paintings and other arts to showcase the plants and animals living in wetlands.