World Wetlands Day: In Punjab, falling number of migratory birds and other threats

What are wetlands?

Wetlands are regions covered by water either perennially or seasonally, such as marshes and lakes. They are vital reservoirs of biodiversity, aid water conservation and provide habitat for numerous migratory birds, aquatic species, and plant life. They also help recharge groundwater, control floods and support fisheries and local communities.

From the point of view of climate change mitigation, wetlands are important carbon sinks, meaning they absorb more carbon from the atmosphere than they release.

To advance wetlands conservation globally, the Ramsar Convention of 1971 was signed in Ramsar, Iran, as an intergovernmental agreement. It defines wetlands as “areas of marsh, fen, peatland or water, whether natural or artificial, permanent or temporary, with water that is static or flowing, fresh, brackish or salt, including areas of marine water the depth of which at low tide does not exceed six metres”. These sites receive international support for conservation and management.

A View of Harike Pattan wetland. (Express photo by Rana Simranjit Singh)

What are some significant wetlands in India?

India has 89 Ramsar sites. The designation of a wetland is based on various criteria under the convention. For example, “A wetland should be considered internationally important if it supports plant and/or animal species at a critical stage in their life cycles, or provides refuge during adverse conditions.” It also looks at the sites’ capacity to support fishes and waterbirds.

Tamil Nadu has the most Ramsar sites at 20. Punjab has six major wetlands, including north India’s largest – the Harike wetlands or Harike Pattan which stretches over 86 sq. Designated as a Ramsar Site in 1990, it hosts migratory birds like the Siberian crane, bar-headed geese, and many waterfowl.

The Kanjli wetlands in Kapurthala district are along the Kali Bein river, with various fish species, turtles and migratory birds found here. The Ropar Wetlands are located on the banks of the Sutlej River. Nangal Wetlands are a key part of the Bhakra-Nangal reservoir, home to over 40,000 migratory birds that come to India annually during the winter.

The Beas Conservation Reserve, near the river of the same name, has Indus River Dolphins, turtles, and freshwater fish. The Ranjit Sagar wetlands were formed after the creation of the Ranjit Sagar Dam on the Ravi River. It has otters and migratory birds.

Decline in migratory birds in Punjab’s wetlands

According to the 2023-24 bird census by the Punjab government’s Department of Forests and Wildlife Conservation, a decline in migratory bird populations has been observed across Punjab’s wetlands.

From 2023-24, the collective count of migratory and resident birds at its six protected wetlands decreased by approximately 13.7% – from 85,882 in 2022-23 to 74,129 in 2023-24. This followed a 10.47% decline from 95,928 in 2021-22 to 85,882 in 2022-23. The only silver lining was that in 2023-24, 114 species of migratory and resident birds visited these sites compared to 107 species in 2022-23.

Kanjli Wetland experienced the most significant drop, with numbers falling nearly 49.49% – from 1,190 in 2021-22 to 601 in 2022-23 and to a further 600 in 2023-24.

The major threats to wetlands, in general, are due to man-made factors, leading to habitat degradation and declining biodiversity. In Punjab, industrial waste discharge from factories near Harike, Ropar, and Kanjli wetlands contaminates water bodies. Illegal sand mining in riverbeds further disrupts water retention and aquatic life.

Pesticides and fertilisers used in agricultural fields near wetlands also affect wildlife. In Ludhiana, the polluted Budha Nallah’s water is discharged into the Sutlej river, eventually reaching the Harike Wetlands. The negative impact of climate change and rising temperatures is also being felt.

To improve the conditions of wetlands, measures like afforestation of native tree species near the wetlands, soil conservation, checks on illegal mining and public awareness have been suggested.