
Dr. Arvind Kumar*
India, one of the world’s fastest-growing major economies and currently ranked as the sixth largest, is ambitiously pursuing its goal of becoming a USD 5 trillion economy by 2025. Yet, even as it chases this target, pressing issues like air and water pollution dominate discussions, especially during elections. If the nation’s capital struggles with such fundamental challenges, the situation in smaller cities and towns is likely even more critical. Managing water is deeply intertwined with power and politics, a reality that becomes particularly evident in India’s electoral landscape. The degradation and encroachment of wetlands play a significant role in worsening water pollution. Wetlands act as natural filters, trapping and neutralizing pollutants, but when they are destroyed or diminished, these pollutants flow directly into waterways, deteriorating water quality. This problem is further aggravated by contaminants from human activities, including agricultural runoff, industrial discharge, and urban storm water, which increasingly affect the limited wetland areas that remain. Addressing this issue requires not only environmental action but also political will to safeguard and restore these vital ecosystems.
It would require a $5 million treatment plant to remove the pollutants filtered by the wetlands if we calculate. Wetlands are among the most valuable yet underappreciated ecosystems on our planet, supporting the lives of millions while playing a crucial role in maintaining environmental balance. Imagine a world where 1 in 8 people rely on wetlands not just for their livelihoods but for essential resources like food, clean water, and transportation. These vibrant landscapes do more than sustain life—they enhance mental well-being, provide spaces for recreation, and act as natural shields for the 60% of humanity living along coastlines, protecting them from storm surges, hurricanes, and tsunamis. However, wetlands are disappearing at an alarming rate due to urbanization, pollution, and climate change. Recognizing their immense value and adopting a sustainable approach to their conservation is more urgent than ever. By understanding wetlands through the lens of transversality—the interconnectedness of landscapes and ecosystems—we can appreciate their role as natural connectors, linking rivers, lakes, and coastal regions while fostering biodiversity and resilience. Only through an integrated approach can we ensure that these critical ecosystems continue to sustain both nature and humanity for generations to come.
The economic value of wetlands is substantial. Recent studies indicate that recreational opportunities and flood control are among the wetland functions with the highest median economic values—approximately $492 and $464 per hectare per year, respectively.
Rights of Rivers & link with Wetlands
While the Ganges and Yamuna rivers in India were legally granted “living entity” status by a court in Uttarakhand, signifying rights for the rivers, they remain heavily polluted due to inadequate enforcement of regulations, poor waste management, and ongoing industrial and sewage discharge into the waterways; despite this legal recognition, the rivers continue to suffer from pollution issues. Wetlands are closely linked to rivers because they often exist alongside river systems, particularly in floodplains, acting as a natural filter by trapping sediments and nutrients from the flowing water before it reaches the river, essentially connecting land and water bodies within a river basin; making them an important part of a healthy river ecosystem. Wetlands are essential for local and global freshwater-related ecosystems and sustain many terrestrial life forms, significantly contributing to unique biodiversity with their complexity and diversity of species. Moreover, taking into account predicted future changes in hydrological patterns caused by global climate change, wetlands can increase resilience to drought, floods and damage caused by extreme weather scenarios. Culturally, wetlands hold deep significance for many communities around the world. They are often linked to traditional practices and beliefs, serving as sources of inspiration and identity. In fact I wrote an article on rights of river for the magazine One Planet taken out by UNEP in 2017.
Wetlands contribute to the achievement of multiple Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by providing essential ecosystem services. They play a crucial role in ensuring clean water and sanitation (SDG 6) by filtering pollutants, improving water quality, and replenishing groundwater reserves. Additionally, wetlands help to mitigate climate change (SDG 13) by acting as carbon sinks, capturing and storing large amounts of carbon dioxide, thereby reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Their ability to absorb excess rainfall and prevent floods also supports disaster resilience (SDG 11), safeguarding communities from climate-related risks. Beyond their environmental benefits, wetlands support food security (SDG 2) and poverty alleviation (SDG 1) by providing livelihoods for millions of people, particularly in rural areas. They serve as breeding and feeding grounds for fish, a primary source of protein for many communities, while also sustaining agricultural productivity through soil moisture regulation. By maintaining biodiversity (SDG 15), wetlands protect endangered species and enhance ecosystem resilience, ensuring the long-term sustainability of natural resources upon which human well-being depends.
The interconnected nature of wetlands with the SDGs highlights the need for their conservation and sustainable management. Their role in reducing marine pollution (SDG 14), providing clean energy solutions like hydropower (SDG 7), and fostering sustainable production and consumption patterns (SDG 12) demonstrates their transversality across multiple development agendas. Recognizing their value and implementing policies for their protection will not only help achieve environmental sustainability but also contribute to economic growth and social well-being, ensuring a healthier planet for future generations.
India’s Wetland Wonder
India boasts 85 Ramsar Sites, the highest number in South Asia, encompassing a diverse array of ecosystems such as freshwater lakes, marshes, and mangroves. The Wetland (Conservation and Management) Rules, 2017, provide a framework for safeguarding wetlands from degradation due to encroachment, pollution, and unsustainable development. Despite having over 700,000 wetlands covering approximately 4.5% of the country’s area, none have been fully notified under domestic laws. However, recent efforts have seen cities like Indore and Udaipur recognized as Wetland Accredited Cities for their sustainable management practices. The government also initiated the National Wetland Conservation Programme, focusing on restoring degraded wetlands while promoting sustainable practices among local communities. These policy interventions aim to enhance community awareness and participation in wetland conservation while addressing governance gaps that often hinder effective management.
This multi-layered impact makes wetlands as perfect examples of sustainability nexus points, where the protection of a single natural system simultaneously advances multiple environmental and social goals. a strategic focal point where targeted action creates ripple effects across multiple sustainability objectives. Our ability to mitigate and adapt to anthropogenic climate change is now closely tied to these paludal waterscapes. Shared sustainable futures, across species, is pivoted on protecting, reinstating and expanding wetlands across both urban and rural locations.
Conclusion and Way Forward
Integrating wetland wise approach into climate action and resilience planning is essential, and policymakers are encouraged to set explicit goals for wetland restoration within national policies, aligning them with broader climate adaptation and disaster risk reduction strategies. Establishing protected areas for wetlands and specific species can further mitigate environmental degradation by preventing harmful development practices. Regulatory measures targeting upstream pollution and water allocation restrictions are necessary to safeguard wetland health indirectly. Addressing the economic drivers behind wetland conversion, particularly through policies that support local communities sustainably, can help reduce the pressures leading to wetland loss. Moreover, addressing knowledge gaps through research is vital for formulating effective protection plans. Enhancing the understanding of wetlands’ co-benefits and employing innovative geospatial tools can aid in developing comprehensive management strategies. Engaging in transdisciplinary research that connects wetlands with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) will foster a more integrated and transversal approach to conservation.
*Editor, Focus Global Reporter