In News:

World Wetlands Day is observed every year on 2 February to raise global awareness about the importance of wetlands for ecological stability, climate resilience, and human well-being. The day commemorates the signing of the Ramsar Convention in Ramsar, Iran, in 1971, one of the oldest international environmental agreements and the only one dedicated to a single ecosystem.

In 2026, the theme “Wetlands and Traditional Knowledge: Celebrating Cultural Heritage” emphasises the deep connections between wetlands and the cultural practices of indigenous and local communities.

Historical Background

• First celebrated in 1997
• Recognised as a United Nations International Day since 2022
• Marks the anniversary of the Ramsar Convention (1971)
• Today, 172 Contracting Parties and 2,500+ Ramsar Sites worldwide

The Convention promotes the conservation and wise use of wetlands through national action and international cooperation.

Why Wetlands Matter

Wetlands are among the most productive ecosystems on Earth. They include peatlands, mangroves, rivers, lakes, floodplains, and marshes.

Ecological Importance

• Act as natural water filters
• Regulate floods and droughts
• Support immense biodiversity, especially migratory birds
• Maintain groundwater recharge

Climate Role

• Peatlands store one-third of global land-based carbon, more than all forests combined
• Coastal wetlands protect nearly 60% of humanity living along coasts from storms and sea-level rise

Livelihood Support

• Nearly 1 in 8 people globally depend on wetlands for income, food, and water resources

Threats to Wetlands

Despite their value, wetlands are disappearing three times faster than forests due to:

• Land-use change
• Pollution
• Urbanisation
• Climate change

Loss of wetlands weakens climate resilience and biodiversity security.

Theme 2026: Wetlands and Traditional Knowledge

The 2026 theme highlights that wetland conservation is deeply rooted in indigenous and local knowledge systems. Communities have historically:

• Managed water sustainably
• Protected biodiversity
• Practiced eco-sensitive agriculture and fishing
• Preserved cultural landscapes linked to wetlands

Traditional knowledge complements modern science in building climate resilience and sustainable ecosystem management.

India and Wetland Conservation

India has been an active member of the Ramsar Convention since 1982 and continues expanding its network of protected wetlands.

Recently added Ramsar Sites include:

• Patna Bird Sanctuary, Uttar Pradesh – freshwater marshes and grasslands supporting rich avifauna
• Chhari-Dhand Wetland, Gujarat – a seasonal saline wetland important for migratory birds

These additions bring India’s total Ramsar Sites to 98, demonstrating growing policy focus on wetland protection.

Community Role in Conservation

World Wetlands Day stresses citizen participation:

• Raising awareness about wetland values
• Reducing pollution and conserving water
• Supporting local restoration initiatives
• Promoting sustainable lifestyles
• Amplifying indigenous voices in environmental decision-making

In News:

World Wetlands Day is observed every year on 2nd February to commemorate the adoption of the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands in 1971 in Ramsar, Iran.

India has been a signatory to the Convention since 1982 and has actively worked towards the conservation and sustainable management of wetlands—critical ecosystems that serve as biodiversity hotspots, natural flood buffers, and carbon sinks.

Theme 2025: "Protecting Wetlands for Our Common Future"

The 2025 theme emphasizes collaborative efforts to protect wetlands to ensure ecological sustainability, biodiversity preservation, and long-term human well-being. It highlights the need for integrated management and foresight in conservation strategies.

Key Event: Parvati Arga Ramsar Site, Gonda, Uttar Pradesh

The Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) organized the national-level celebrations of World Wetlands Day 2025 at the Parvati Arga Ramsar Site in Gonda district, Uttar Pradesh.

Significance of the Site

• Comprises two rain-fed oxbow lakes—Parvati and Arga—located in the terai region of the Gangetic plains.
• Supports endangered and critically endangered species like the white-rumped vulture, Indian vulture, and Egyptian vulture.
• Attracts migratory birds such as Eurasian coots, greylag geese, northern pintails, and red-crested pochards.
• Threatened by invasive species, notably the common water hyacinth.
• The nearby Tikri Forest is being developed as an eco-tourism site, and a nature-culture tourism corridor is planned between Ayodhya and Devi Patan.

Cultural and Economic Value

• The area includes heritage sites such as the birthplaces of Maharishi Patanjali and Goswami Tulsidas, enhancing its potential as a religious and cultural tourism hub.
• A MoU between Amazon and ARGA (UP Government initiative) aims to empower women entrepreneurs through digital training and market access under Amazon’s Saheli programme.

India's Wetland Landscape and New Ramsar Sites (2025 Update)

India’s tally of Ramsar Sites has risen to 89, with four new additions:

1. Udhwa Lake – Jharkhand (first Ramsar site for the state)
2. Theerthangal – Tamil Nadu
3. Sakkarakottai – Tamil Nadu
4. Khecheopalri – Sikkim (first Ramsar site for the state)

• Tamil Nadu leads with 20 Ramsar Sites, followed by Uttar Pradesh with 10 sites.
• Total area under Ramsar protection in India is now approximately 1.358 million hectares.

Amrit Dharohar Initiative

Launched in June 2023, the Amrit Dharohar initiative promotes conservation and sustainable use of Ramsar Sites over three years. It aligns with Budget 2023–24 announcements and focuses on:

1. Species and Habitat Conservation
2. Nature Tourism
3. Wetlands-based Livelihoods
4. Wetlands and Carbon Mitigation

The initiative encourages convergence among central ministries, state authorities, and community stakeholders.

Workshops and Public Engagement

A regional workshop for Northern States was organized on 1st February 2025, with participants from nine states and UTs, highlighting collaborative models in wetland management. The main event also included:

• Exhibitions on eco-friendly products, wetland conservation, and green skills.
• Launch of publications like the Integrated Management Plan for Parvati Arga, Factbook of India’s 85 Ramsar Sites, and Development of Van Taungya Villages.
• Felicitation of painting, quiz, and Nukkad Natak competition winners, promoting grassroots awareness.

Significance of Wetlands in India

Wetlands are water-covered ecosystems, either permanently or seasonally flooded. They:

• Support rich biodiversity, including migratory birds and aquatic species.
• Recharge groundwater and regulate floods.
• Provide livelihoods through fisheries and tourism.
• Act as natural carbon sinks, aiding in climate change mitigation.

Major Threats

• Pollution from industrial and domestic effluents
• Encroachment and urbanization
• Invasive species