World Wetlands Day: ICAR-MGIFRI Calls for Urgent Actions for Wetlands Conservation

Wetlands, covering only 6 percent of the Earth’s land surface, are home to 40 percent of all plant and animal species. (Picture Courtesy: Pexels)

On the occasion of World Wetlands Day on February 2, the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) and Mahatma Gandhi Integrated Farming Research Institute (MGIFRI), Piprakothi, Motihari, highlighted the critical role of wetlands in human prosperity and a healthy planet. The event, held under the global theme 'Wetlands and Human Wellbeing', convened experts and scientists to discuss the importance of wetlands in maintaining ecosystems and human life.

Crucial Role

Under the chairmanship of Dr A.K. Singh, former Deputy Director General, (NRM), and other scientists, the celebration underscored the importance of wetlands and the potential threats they face. Dr Singh emphasised the crucial role of wetlands in ecosystems and human life, stressing the need for sustainable water management and sanitation.

Three Action Points

Dr K.G. Mandal, the Director, outlined three key action points to address water pollution and ensure the conservation and sustainable management of wetlands. These include making a global effort to protect wetlands and initiating local-level restoration projects.

Commending Ramsar Convention Significance

World Wetlands Day, celebrated annually since 2021, commemorates the signing of the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands in 1971. The day emphasises the pivotal role wetlands play in human prosperity and the health of our planet.

Vital Ecosystems

Wetlands, covering only 6 percent of the Earth’s land surface, are home to 40 percent of all plant and animal species. They provide essential services, including water regulation, flood control, and water purification, impacting over a billion people worldwide.

Urgent Conservation Needed

Wetlands are disappearing at an alarming rate, three times faster than forests. Over the past 50 years, 35 percent of the world's wetlands have been lost due to various human activities, including drainage, pollution, overfishing, and climate change.

Breaking the Cycle

The ongoing cycle of wetland loss threatened livelihoods, and deepening poverty stems from misconceptions about wetlands as wastelands. The challenge lies in changing mindsets to prioritise and value wetlands, encouraging governments and communities to engage in conservation efforts.