National Wetland Atlas

Wetlands cover 4 per cent of ice-free land on Earth and are important for hosting high biodiversity, supporting hydrological processes like water storage and flood prevention, as well as having socio-economic value like agriculture and tourism. Anthropogenic activity, like pollution, aquaculture and eutrophication, has endangered wetlands, necessitating conservation efforts.

The Ramsar Convention is the first intergovernmental convention for wetland conservation. Other conservation outfits like the Convention for Biological Diversity and a series of legal provisions in India share a common goal. The report notes the need for collaboration and partnership between different conventions to achieve ecosystem health more efficiently.

India joined the Ramsar Convention in 1981 and at the time of the report’s publication has 26 Ramsar-designated wetland sites. These sites are identified based on either being unique or representative wetlands, or they are important for conserving biodiversity. Wetlands are further classified into 9 criteria outlining the ecological communities they support.

Wetlands constitute 4.63 per cent of the total geographic area in India. Natural wetlands constitute 43 per cent of the total, while man-made wetlands constitute 30 per cent, and coastal natural wetlands constitute about 24 per cent of the total.

Ramsar sites constitute 4.5 per cent of the total wetland area as per the National Wetland Inventory and Assessment (NWIA). Most of the Ramsar sites are present in the Western Himalayan Region.

The natural wetlands that represent a unique system are Chillika and Sasthamkotta Lake. These wetlands also support a variety of endangered species. East Calcutta Wetlands are a man-made, unique wetland that hosts a range of aquatic vegetation and fauna.

Ashtamudi, Bhitarkanika, Chandertal, Deepor Beel, Hokera Lake, Kolleru Lake, Loktak Lake, Nalsarovar Lake, Point Calimere Wildlife and Bird Sanctuary, Renuka wetland, Rudrasagar Lake, Sambhar Lake, Surinsar-Mansar lakes, Tsomoriri Lake, Upper Ganga River - Brijghat to Narora Stretch, Vembanad-Kol Wetland and Wular Lake are natural wetlands that support a high diversity of aquatic vegetation and avifauna. Most of these wetland sites also have threatened species and are thus important for conservation. These sites are also important for hydrological processes. 

Bhoj, Harike Lake, Kanjili, Keoladeo, Pong Dam Lake, and Ropar Lake are man-made wetlands that support a high diversity of aquatic vegetation and avifauna. Some of these wetland sites also have threatened species and are important for conservation.

The seasonal data reveals that monsoons play a crucial role in determining the hydrology of these sites, as in influence water turbidity, water spread and vegetation status. Aquatic vegetation is seen to be enhanced in the pre-monsoon season, and helps plan for wetland water utilisation during summer crop irrigation.

Focus and Factoids by Satavisha De.