Centre asks Assam to prepare note on wetlands

Context: The Central Government has directed the Assam Government
to prepare a concept note for the restoration of 271 wetlands for diversion of
flood water within December this year. The Northeast Space Application Centre
(NESAC) has already identified 271 wetlands, which can be rejuvenated for the
diversion of flood water. The Water Resources Department has already identified
nine wetlands in seven districts, which can be revived for diversion of flood water
and an amount of Rs380 crore has been sanctioned for the project. However, the
Centre is of the view that a feasibility study of all the 271 wetlands
identified by the NESAC should be carried out.

Wetlands

·      
About: Wetlands are areas where water is the primary factor
controlling the environment and the associated plant and animal life. They
occur where the water table is at or near the surface of the land, or where the
land is covered by water.

·      
Types of
Wetlands: Coastal Wetlands-
Coastal wetlands are found in the areas between land and open sea that are not
influenced by rivers such as shorelines, beaches, mangroves and coral reefs.  A good example is the mangrove swamps found
in sheltered tropical coastal areas.

Shallow lakes and ponds- These wetlands are areas of permanent or semi-permanent water with
little flow. They include vernal ponds, spring pools, salt lakes and volcanic
crater lakes.

Marshes-
These are periodically saturated, flooded, or ponded with water and
characterized by herbaceous (non-woody) vegetation adapted to wet soil
conditions. Marshes are further characterized as tidal marshes and non-tidal
marshes.

Swamps-
These are fed primarily by surface water inputs and are dominated by trees and
shrubs. Swamps occur in either freshwater or saltwater floodplains.

Bogs-
Bogs are waterlogged peatlands in old lake basins or depressions in the
landscape. Almost all water in bogs comes from rainfall.

Estuaries- The area where rivers meet the sea and water changes from fresh to salt
can offer an extremely rich mix of biodiversity. These wetlands include deltas,
tidal mudflats and salt marshes.

·      
Importance
of Wetlands: Wetlands are highly
productive ecosystems that provide the world with nearly two-thirds of its fish
harvest. They play an important role in transport, tourism and the cultural and
spiritual well-being of people. They provide habitat for animals and plants and
many contain a wide diversity of life, supporting plants and animals that are
found nowhere else. Wetlands are a vital source for food, raw materials,
genetic resources for medicines, and hydropower.

·      
Threats to
Wetlands: Urbanization- Wetlands
near urban centres are under increasing developmental pressure for residential,
industrial and commercial facilities. Urban wetlands are essential for
preserving public water supplies.

Agriculture- Vast stretches of wetlands have been converted to paddy fields.
Construction of many reservoirs, canals and dams to provide for irrigation
significantly altered the hydrology of the associated wetlands.

Pollution- Wetlands act as natural water filters. However, they can only clean up
the fertilizers and pesticides from agricultural runoff but not mercury from
industrial sources and other types of pollution.

Climate Change- Increased air temperature; shifts in precipitation; increased frequency
of storms, droughts, and floods; increased atmospheric carbon dioxide
concentration; and sea level rise could also affect wetlands.

·      
Efforts
towards Wetlands Conservation: Ramsar
Convention- The Convention’s mission is “the conservation and wise use of all
wetlands through local and national actions and international cooperation, as a
contribution towards achieving sustainable development throughout the world”.

·      
Regulations
of Wetlands in India: Wetlands
are regulated under the Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules, 2017. The
newer regulations removed some items from the definition of “wetlands”
including backwaters, lagoons, creeks, and estuaries. Under the 2017
regulations, the process to identify the wetlands has been delegated to the
States.

Key points

·      
Overview: After the preparation of the concept paper, it would
be sent to the Central Government. If the Centre approves it, a detailed project
report will be prepared.

·      
Northeast
Space Application Centre (NESAC): Activities of NESAC are focused on the practical applications of space
technology in agriculture, and allied fields like silk farming where it can
help in early detection of diseases.

·      
Way
forward: On the challenges of rejuvenating
the wetlands identified by the NESAC, the first challenge would be to remove
encroachments as some water bodies are under encroachments. Moreover, the banks
of the mighty river Brahmaputra cannot be fiddled with as it can lead to
dangerous consequences and only the water of the tributaries can be diverted to
the wetlands.