Wetlands, among the most vital ecosystems on the planet, are facing unprecedented degradation. These biologically rich and ecologically essential areas provide a wide range of services-flood control, groundwater recharge, water purification, carbon sequestration, and habitat for diverse flora and fauna. Yet, wetlands are vanishing rapidly due to a toxic mix of official apathy, unregulated development, and sheer negligence. Despite contributing significantly to ecosystem stability and local livelihoods, wetlands have been consistently treated as wastelands or potential sites for urban expansion and agriculture. According to global estimates, the world has lost nearly 87 percent of its wetlands since the 1700s, and the trend continues unabated. India, despite being a signatory to the Ramsar Convention since 1982 and home to 89 Ramsar-designated wetlands of international importance, has failed to safeguard many of its wetlands, especially the smaller, non-notified ones.
The indifference of authorities is perhaps the most alarming factor. Many wetlands are encroached upon with impunity, filled up for real estate, and roads, or converted for intensive agriculture with scant regard for environmental norms. In J&K, for instance, wetlands like Pargwal, Nanga, Sangral, and Kukrian have witnessed sharp ecological decline due to illegal construction, rampant pollution, and lack of proper oversight. Even as Gharana Wetland in RS Pura has seen some conservation focus, after the High Court intervention, others have been left to deteriorate, highlighting selective attention and a lack of comprehensive wetland management policy.
This situation is symptomatic of a broader trend: environmental regulations exist on paper, but enforcement remains weak or altogether absent. Wetlands are often managed by multiple departments-forestry, irrigation, urban development, and fisheries-with overlapping responsibilities and minimal coordination. This bureaucratic fragmentation ensures that no single authority takes full accountability for wetland preservation. Moreover, the lack of updated wetland inventories, poor funding for restoration, and the absence of trained personnel further exacerbate the problem. Most wetlands in semi-urban and rural areas receive untreated sewage, solid waste, and agricultural runoff laden with chemicals. This toxic cocktail not only destroys the aquatic ecosystem but also reduces the ability of wetlands to provide basic services like water purification and flood mitigation. Over time, degraded wetlands become breeding grounds for disease and lose their value for biodiversity, agriculture, or eco-tourism. The consequences are not just ecological-they are economic, social, and even cultural. Wetland degradation directly impacts food security, increases disaster vulnerability, and contributes to water scarcity. In regions already under the stress of climate change, this neglect is catastrophic.
To arrest this alarming decline, immediate and robust measures are essential. The Government must recognise wetlands as critical infrastructure-on par with roads, dams, or hospitals. This means increased funding, focused policy intervention, and treating wetlands as natural assets in national accounts. A single, empowered agency should be designated at the state level to oversee all aspects of wetland conservation-from mapping and monitoring to protection and restoration. States must also fully implement the Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules, 2017, and update their respective wetland inventories using GIS and satellite imagery. Rapid encroachments must be curbed through legal enforcement, and violators should face stringent penalties. Simultaneously, urban bodies should ensure that no untreated waste enters wetland areas. Constructed buffer zones can be developed to filter runoff naturally. Farming practices near wetlands must be regulated to reduce pesticide and fertiliser use. Additionally, efforts should be made to rejuvenate water flow into wetlands that are drying up due to diverted streams or dams. Locals are often the first to notice changes in their environment and can be powerful allies in protecting wetlands. Educating communities can instil a sense of long-term stewardship. If managed responsibly, wetlands can provide sustainable income through bird watching, guided tours, and local crafts-all while preserving the habitat.
The present Pargwal wetland crisis demands action-not just intent. Wetlands are not luxuries; they are lifelines. They underpin biodiversity, regulate the climate, and support millions of people. If we continue to treat them with indifference, we risk not only losing vital ecosystems but also endangering our future.
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