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India's Wetlands Vanishing: A Race Against Time
3 Feb
Summary
- Nearly 40% of India's wetlands have vanished in three decades.
- Policy implementation lags despite existing conservation laws.
- Restoration requires aligning science, policy, and community wisdom.
World Wetlands Day 2026 highlighted the theme 'Wetlands and traditional knowledge,' resonating deeply with India's heritage. Communities historically thrived by sustaining wetlands through practices that safeguarded ecosystems, evident in Tamil Nadu's irrigation tanks and Kerala's traditional wells.
Despite robust policy frameworks, including the Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules, 2017, implementation falters. Approximately 40% of India's wetlands have disappeared in three decades, with half of the remainder degraded. Challenges include encroachment, altered water flows from infrastructure, and pollution.
Effective conservation demands a shift towards watershed-scale governance, prioritizing ecological functionality over beautification. Key strategies involve timely notification of wetland boundaries, treating wastewater before discharge, protecting hydrological connectivity, and integrating coastal wetlands into disaster risk reduction.
Building institutional capacity for wetland managers is crucial, alongside leveraging modern tools like satellite monitoring and traditional wisdom. A societal pact involving governments, industries, researchers, and citizens is essential to restore wetlands as living ecosystems vital for India's water security and resilience.
