World Wetlands Day 2026: Experts Call for Integrated Watershed-Scale Governance and Community Involvement
On World Wetlands Day 2026, experts emphasized the urgent need to shift from project-based 'beautification' to ecological functionality in wetland management. Nearly 40% of India's wetlands have vanished in the last three decades, and 50% of the remainder show signs of degradation. The article advocates for a five-point strategy: securing wetland boundaries, treating wastewater before it enters wetlands, restoring feeder channels, treating wetlands as nature-based infrastructure for disaster risk reduction, and building institutional capacity for wetland managers. It highlights the importance of the Ramsar site designation and the National Plan for Conservation of Aquatic Ecosystems.
Key Points
- India has lost approximately 40% of its wetlands over the last 30 years due to encroachment and land conversion.
- Wetlands should be managed as part of a basin or catchment system rather than isolated water bodies.
- The 2017 Wetland Rules require strong notification and demarcation to prevent illegal activities and land use changes.
- Community-led governance and traditional knowledge are vital for sustainable wetland restoration and compliance.
Exam Facts
- Percentage of Indian wetlands vanished in 30 years: 40%.
- Number of Ramsar sites in India: 98.
- Relevant regulation: Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules, 2017.
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