Download - World Wetland Day
WORLD WETLAND DAYAn attempt to save
the saviour of life on
earth
ABHILASHA TRIPATHI
M.Tech. Environmental Engg. And
Mgmt. (II yr)
CPEE, P.U.
Historical overview
Celebrated as an anniversary of Ramsar convention held at
Ramsar, Iran on 2 Feb 1971.
Hosted by: Iranian Department of Environment
Came into force on December 21,1975
World Wetland Day was first celebrated in 1997.
Includes over 2,000 Sites all around the world.
Presently there are 168 contracting parties.
Organised in order to keep a check on the abrupt loss of
wetlands.
In twentieth century almost 50% of wetlands are already
lost.
What is a wetland??
A wetland is a land area that is saturated
with water, either permanently or
seasonally, such that it takes on the
characteristics of a distinct ecosystem.
Depth is generally not more than six
metres at low tide.
Ecotone between terrestrial and aquatic
eco-systems.
According to WWF-India, wetlands are
one of the most threatened of all
ecosystems in India.
What wetlands do to us?? Nutrient Retention: Wetlands cycle both sediments
and nutrients balancing terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems.
Retain water during dry periods, thus keeping the water table high and relatively stable.
Vital role in water cycle: Capturing and holding rainfall and snowmelt, retaining sediments.
Water purification: The groundwater that humans depend on for drinking and other uses is cleaned and purified by wetlands – bogs, marshes, swamps, and other wetland areas actually make our water drinkable.
They trap 20% of all carbon emissions naturally.
A barrier to erosion: They slow down floodwaters,
they help stop erosion on beaches and riverbanks, and
they make local weather patterns less extreme.
Treasure of biodiversity: Wetlands host a variety of
habitats, diversity of life as well as some threatened
and endangered species.
Wetlands are vital to fish and the angler community
Wetlands also provide:
Fuel wood
Salt (produced by evaporating seawater)
Animal fodder
Traditional medicines (e.g. from mangrove bark)
What's going wrong ??
Over fishing
Dam formation
Introduction of invasive alien species
Drowning of mangrove species due to rise
of sea level.
Inflow of agricultural fertilizers and
pesticides
Dumping of industrial wastes
Exploitation of mangrove forest for food
, fuel, etc.
How can we save the dwindling of wetlands??
The foremost tool EDUCATION:
Educating and mobilising local communities.
Report illegal activity such as filling,
clearing, or dumping in wetlands to
government authorities.
Plant native species of trees, shrubs, and
flowers to preserve the ecological balance of
local wetlands.
Avoid wetlands for residential expansion.
Avoid spraying chemicals on plantation on rainy days.
Use phosphate-free laundry and dishwasher detergents.
Pick up all litter and dispose in appropriate trash containers.
Use paper and recycled products made from unbleached paper.
Reduce, reuse and recycle household items and waste.
Treasures of our nation
There are 26 Ramsar sites in India.
Chilika lake and Keoladeo National
park are the oldest recognised
Ramsar sites back in 1981.
Chilika lake is the largest wetland
by area 1165 Km2.
LLANOS DE MOXOS WETLAND
• Largest protected wetland
was announced by the
Ramsar Convention on
Wetlands
• World’s largest tropical wetland .
• Lying mostly in Western Brazil
but extending into Bolivia and
Paraguay.
• Famous for its wildlife.
• Brazil’s major tourist draw
PANTANAL WETLAND
Efforts to save and boost them in 2015 Raising awareness to know the wetland values.
Sustainable management for future generations.
Development of downloadable study material for the wetland day 2015,
such as lucrative hand-outs, posters, factsheets, etc. by Ramsar
Convention Secretariat’s World Wetlands Day 2015 website.
Ramsar Convention Secretariat is also conducting a photographic
competition for the 15 to 24 year olds. Winner will get a chance to win a
flight to the famous wetland of there choice.
CONFERENCE OF PARTIES
12th Meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP12)
that will take place in Punta del Este, Uruguay, from 1 to 9 June
2015