Dr. Arvind Kumar*
Wetlands’ vulnerability will undoubtedly rise as a result of climate change and its associated drivers and pressures. The conservation approach in India has to move from a ‘puritanical’ one, to one that emphasizes economic value and its vital link to human survival. Wetlands have theoretical, methodological, and public policy implications. The theoretical implications have to do with the identification and valuation of positive externalities provided by wetlands, which benefit society without users paying for them.
Life is abundant wherever land meets water. The arteries and veins of the landscape are wetlands, which are present in every region of this lovely planet. Wetlands are magnificent and impressive to look at.. Experts and various stakeholders around the world celebrated yesterday the theme of “wetland restoration” to mark the date of adoption of the Ramsar Convention, an International treaty established in 1971 to provide the framework for international collaboration and national action for the conservation and wise use of wetlands. As per recent estimates, wetlands of at least 2.25 ha in size make up 4.86% of India’s geographical area (15.98 million-hectares). These water bodies provide clean water for drinking and agriculture, cooling water for the energy sector; they also regulate floods. Agriculture, fisheries and tourism sectors depend heavily on the health of wetlands. Wetlands assist in stabilization CO2, CH4, N2O and Green House Gas (GHG) concentrations by minimizing climate and land-use-mediated GHG releases. Wetlands support critical ecosystems and biodiversity 40% of all plant and animal species live or breed in wetlands. Wetlands worldwide are recognised to have a tremendous amount of economic value too, estimated at $47 trillion/year.
What are the immediate challenges for wetland conservation and management efforts?
In India, there has been a potential threat to the wetlands environment for more than 20 years. Rapid infrastructure development adopted during the post-economic reform era hugely ignored the wetlands’ potential economic and ecological benefits, particularly to those living nearby. Wetlands have been the first casualty of so-called blind and unsustainable development strategy. As a result of this blatant ignorance India has lost nearly two of five wetlands in the last 30 years, while 40% of them can’t support aquatic animals as per a data from Wetlands International. If we particularly talk about urban wetlands; Chennai lost 90% of its wetlands to unplanned urbanization, leaving the city to grapple with issues of water security and degraded environment. Hyderabad lost 55% of its wetlands to inefficient waste management, rising pollution and unchecked urban development. Mumbai lost 71%, Ahmedabad 57%, Bengaluru 56%, Pune 37% and Delhi-National Capital Region lost 38% wetlands mainly to construction and eutrophication from pollution.
In what ways wetlands contribute with climate mitigation and economic prosperity?
Being an environmentalist and a strategist I have been constantly striving to make our wetlands more sustainable; may it be through contributing to Wetland (Conservation and Management) Rules 2017 by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) under the provisions of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 as a committee member or by estimating the monetary value of such wetland ecosystems. I realized that the sheer ignorance of the knowledge resources about the significant economic values being rendered by the wetland ecosystem has hardly been explored so far. Conserving the goods and services of wetlands and sustainably intensifying the wetland ecosystem services are of paramount importance for poverty alleviation as well as food and livelihood security for marginal poor segment of the society. Such ecosystem helps us to create a climate resilient environment by regulating the local climate. Wetlands are the natural kidney, one of the largest water purifying aquifers. Wetlands work to balance the gross underground water table and provide a wide range of ecosystem services such as flood mitigation, storm buffers, erosion control, and aquifer recharge, and micro-climate regulation, aesthetic enhancement of landscapes while simultaneously supporting many significant recreational, social and cultural activities.
Are wetlands being restored or being protected in India?
The overall idea is very much aligned with the Prime Minister’s ‘Mission Amrit Sarovar’ for preservation and restoration of wetlands and sustainable use of their resources by maintaining their ecosystem services. Recently in her 2023 budget speech, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman mentioned “Amrit Dharohar” — a government scheme that will encourage the optimal use of wetlands, while enhancing biodiversity, carbon stock, ecotourism, and incomes for local communities. It falls under ‘Green Growth’, one of the seven priorities of the budget. As part of her budget speech, Sitharaman additionally announced the Mangrove Initiative for Shoreline Habitats and Tangible Incomes (MISHTI) wherein mangrove plantation will be taken up along the coastline and on salt-pan lands, wherever feasible to increase afforestation. Further, The Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change (MoEF&CC) is currently implementing a centrally sponsored scheme namely, National Plan for Conservation of Aquatic Eco-systems (NPCA) for conservation and management of identified wetlands (includes lakes) in the country. Four – pronged approach of preparing brief documents, filling Ecosystem Health Cards, instituting Wetland Mitras and formulating Integrated Management Plans based on the health and specific threats facing the wetlands, is in place for conservation and management of wetlands.
The 2023-24 budget has allocated Rs 3,079.40 crore to the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, which is a 24% increase from last year’s Rs 2,478 crore. A dedicated Web Portal (https:// indianwetlands.in) for Wetlands has been developed, which is a publicly available information and knowledge platform in order to facilitate knowledge sharing & information dissemination. In June 2022, the Ministry also formulated the ‘Sahbhagita Guidelines’ outlining an “all of society” approach and governance framework for wetlands conservation in the country. As a result of above said measures, 75 wetlands/water bodies have been designated as Wetlands of International Importance, Ramsar sites, across the country under Ramsar Convention since 1981, covering total area of around 1.25 million Ha.
Way Forward
Wetlands’ vulnerability will undoubtedly rise as a result of climate change and its associated drivers and pressures. The conservation approach in India has to move from a ‘puritanical’ one, to one that emphasizes economic value and its vital link to human survival. Wetlands have theoretical, methodological, and public policy implications. The theoretical implications have to do with the identification and valuation of positive externalities provided by wetlands, which benefit society without users paying for them. The methodological implications refer to the constructive replication of the GIS-supported benefit transfer method to perform an economic valuation of wetlands. The implications in terms of public policies are directed at the need to design dynamic institutions that allow for better coordination between environmental regulations, the land-use plan, and the social-ecological system. This requires governance built on an understanding of the benefits provided by wetlands that places the needs of all users before particular short-run interests. India’s challenge is to define wetlands on sound lines, and apply the rules it issued in 2017. The need of the hour is to encourage optimal use of wetlands and enhance bio-diversity, carbon stock, eco-tourism opportunities and income generation for local communities because investments in wetlands are investments in human welfare. To address the economic drivers of ecosystem change, there is a need to mainstream ecosystem services into economic decisions.
*President, India Water Foundation
