SIGNIFICANCE OF WETLANDS IN INDIA

The significance of wetlands in India can be seen under the following heads –

1. Ecological –

(i) Play a crucial role in the water cycle, nutrient cycle and carbon cycle, and in soil stabilization

(ii) Supports a wide variety of species like pelicans, flamingos, crustaceans, mangrove varieties etc.

2. Economic –
(i) Wetlands like Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary attract large number of tourists

(ii) Help in recharging groundwater, prevent coastal erosion and hold a repository of species which may be of immense medicinal value

3. Cultural –

(i) Source of rich folk traditions and literature

(ii) Migrant species are of immense interest to birdwatchers.
However, despite their significance, Wetlands have been facing immense pressure due to urbanization, environmental pollution etc. Measure which can be taken to protect them are –

1. Legal –
(i) Subsuming provisions of all laws currently involved with wetland conservation

(ii) Inclusion of greater number of Wetlands in the Wetland inventory Atlas and under Ramsar Convention

2. Environmental –
(i) Conservation of watersheds of rivers through afforestation programmes, agro-forestry, ground-water recharging etc.

(ii) Strict monitoring against the introduction of exotic invasive species

3. Technological –
(i) Use of GIS for flood-zone mapping, habitat mapping, water resource management etc. to enable scientific adoption of conservation practices

(ii) Scientific methods of farming by using Micro-irrigation, non-invasive agricultural seeds, bio-fertilizers etc.

EXTRA BITS : WHAT IS MONTREAUX RECORDS:--The Montreux Record is a register of wetland sites on the List of Wetlands of International Importance where changes in ecological character have occurred, are occurring, or are likely to occur as a result of technological developments, pollution or other human interference.

It is maintained as part of the Ramsar List.

Currently, two wetlands of India are in Montreux record viz. Keoladeo National Park, Rajasthan and Loktak Lake, Manipur. Further, Chilka lake was placed in the record but was later removed from it.
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