Introduction
A wetland is an area of land that is permanently or seasonally saturated with water. Wetlands are characterised by their unique vegetation, which is adapted to live in wet conditions. Wetlands are found all over the world and play an important role in the environment.
Features Of Wetlands
Some Key features of wetlands :
- Water : Wetlands are areas where water is present at or near the surface for at least part of the year. The water can be from a variety of sources, such as rain, snowmelt, groundwater, or rivers.
- Soil : The soil in wetlands is often saturated with water, which makes it anaerobic (low in oxygen). This type of soil is called hydric soil.
- Vegetation : Wetlands are home to a variety of plants that are adapted to the wet conditions. These plants include hydrophytes, which are plants that grow in water or in very wet soil.
- Animals : Wetlands are home to a variety of animals, including fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals. Many of these animals are adapted to the wet conditions, and they rely on wetlands for food and shelter.
Benefits Of Wetlands
Some Important Benefits of wetlands :
- They provide a habitat for a variety of plants and animals : Wetlands are home to a wide variety of plants and animals, including some that are rare or endangered. For example, the Haiderpur Wetland in Uttar Pradesh is a major stopover for migratory birds during the winter months.
- They help to regulate water flow & Flood control : Wetlands can store water during floods and release it slowly during droughts. This helps to prevent flooding and droughts, which can cause damage to property and infrastructure.
- They help to purify water : Wetlands filter pollutants out of water, removing pollutants and sediment. This helps to improve the quality of water for drinking, recreation, and other uses.
- They provide recreational opportunities : Wetlands can be used for fishing, boating, bird watching, and other activities.
- Carbon storage : Wetlands store carbon, which helps to mitigate climate change.
- They help to recharge groundwater : Wetlands help to recharge groundwater by storing water in their soils. This water can then be used for drinking, irrigation, and other purposes.
Wetlands are an important part of the environment, and they play a vital role in our ecosystem. It is important to protect wetlands and to ensure that they are not degraded or destroyed.
Threats to Wetlands
Threats to wetlands :
- Development : Wetlands are often converted to land for development, such as housing, businesses, and roads. This can destroy wetlands and their ecosystem.
- Pollution : Wetlands can be polluted by agricultural runoff, industrial waste, and sewage. This can kill plants and animals and make the wetland unusable.
- Invasive species : Invasive species can outcompete native plants and animals in wetlands. This can disrupt the ecosystem and make the wetland less healthy.
- Climate change : Climate change is causing wetlands to dry up and become more saline. This can kill plants and animals and make the wetland unusable.
Measures to conserve Wetlands
Steps to save wetlands :
It is important to protect wetlands from these threats. We can do this by —
- Enacting laws to protect wetlands.
- Educating the public about the importance of wetlands.
- Rehabilitating degraded wetlands.
- Supporting organisations that are working to protect wetlands.
Wetlands are an important part of our planet, and we need to do everything we can to protect them.
Ramsar Sites
A Ramsar site is a wetland area designated under the Ramsar Convention, an international treaty aimed at conserving and sustainably using important wetlands. Ramsar Convention is also known as ‘Convention on Wetlands’.
These sites are recognised for their ecological, cultural, scientific, and recreational value. They play a crucial role in maintaining biodiversity, providing habitats for various species, regulating water flow, and supporting local communities. The designation helps promote the conservation and wise use of these valuable ecosystems.
The Ramsar Convention is named after the city of Ramsar in Iran, where the convention was signed on 2 February, 1971. The term “Ramsar site” refers to a wetland area designated under the convention for its ecological importance.
The Convention on Wetlands was signed on 2 February 1971 in the city of Ramsar, Iran. That’s why World Wetland Day is celebrated every year on 2 February.
UP & Wetlands
There are over 100 wetlands in Uttar Pradesh, of which 10 have been designated as Ramsar sites.
There are a total of 75 Ramsar sites in India, out of which 10 are located in Uttar Pradesh. The names of total 10 Ramsar sites located in Uttar Pradesh are as follows:
|
Name of Ramsar Wetland Site in UP (As on Nov. 2022) |
|||
| S.
No. |
Name of Site | Date of
Declaration |
Area
(Km2) |
| 1. | Upper Ganga River – From Brajghat, Garh Mukteshwar to Narora in Bulandshahr | 08/11/2005 | 265.90 |
| 2. | Sarsai Nawar Jheel – Etawah | 19/09/2019 | 1.61 |
| 3. | Sandi Bird Sanctuary – Hardoi | 26/09/2019 | 3.09 |
| 4. | Samaspur Bird Sanctuary – Raebareli | 03/10/2019 | 7.99 |
| 5. | Saman Bird Sanctuary – Mainpuri | 02/12/2019 | 5.26 |
| 6. | Nawabganj Bird Sanctuary – Unnao | 19/09/2019 | 2.25 |
| 7. | Parvati Arga Bird Sanctuary – Gonda | 02/12/2019 | 7.22 |
| 8. | Sur Sarovar – Agra | 21/08/2020 | 4.31 |
| 9. | Bakhira Wildlife Sanctuary – Sant Kabir Nagar | 29/06/2021 | 28.94 |
| 10. | Haiderpur Wetland – Bijnor & Muzaffarnagar | 08/12/2021 | 69.08 |
Wetlands play an important role in the environment and economy of Uttar Pradesh. They provide a habitat for a variety of plants and animals, help to regulate the water cycle, and prevent floods. Wetlands also support a number of economic activities, such as fishing, tourism, and agriculture.
However, wetlands in Uttar Pradesh are facing a number of threats, including pollution, encroachment, and climate change. It is important to protect these wetlands for the sake of the environment and the economy of Uttar Pradesh.
Some Important Facts About Wetlands Of Uttar Pradesh :
- There are over 100 wetlands in Uttar Pradesh.
- 10 of these wetlands have been designated as Ramsar sites.
- The total area of wetlands in Uttar Pradesh is about 1.5 million hectares.
- Wetlands in Uttar Pradesh support a variety of plant and animal life, including over 300 species of birds.
- Wetlands in Uttar Pradesh are facing a number of threats, including pollution, encroachment, and climate change.
The wetlands of Uttar Pradesh are facing a number of threats, including:
- Deforestation
- Pollution
- Indiscriminate dumping of waste
- Overgrazing
- Climate change
It is important to protect the wetlands of Uttar Pradesh for the sake of biodiversity, flood control, and water supply.
The government of Uttar Pradesh is taking steps to protect and conserve its wetlands.
In 2019, the state government launched a new policy for the management of wetlands. The policy aims to improve the management of wetlands, promote their sustainable use, and reduce the threats they face.
The government of Uttar Pradesh has taken some steps to protect wetlands, such as:
- Setting up wetland management committees
- Creating awareness about the importance of wetlands
- Prohibiting the dumping of waste in wetlands
- Imposing fines for polluting wetlands
More needs to be done to protect the wetlands of Uttar Pradesh. We all have a role to play in protecting these important ecosystems.