India’s integrated approach to wetland sustainability

However, wetlands across the world are facing severe threats due to issues like urban encroachment, pollution and climate change. At the Ramsar 15th Conference of Parties (CoP15) to the Convention on Wetlands of International Importance, especially as Waterfowl Habitat (Ramsar Convention), held at Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe, India introduced and secured the adoption of a resolution on Promoting Sustainable lifestyles for the wise use of wetlands. 

The resolution highlights the need for integrating behavioural change and sustainable consumption patterns into wetland conservation strategies. It also aligns with Mission Life (Lifestyle for Environment), launched by India at UNFCCC COP 26, which encourages India to adopt pro-planet practices. 

Significance of wetlands and major threats

Although wetlands constitute only around 6 per cent of the Earth’s Land surface, they provide habitat and breeding grounds for nearly 40 per cent of all plant and animal species. They also provide natural protection to nearly 60 per cent of the global population living along coastlines by mitigating the impact of storm surges, hurricanes and tsunamis. Wetland also provides provisions to human beings, such as food and fodder, mainly rice and fish, and it also supports livelihoods through fisheries, agriculture and eco-tourism.  

In addition, wetlands play a vital role in delivering environmental and climate services. Acting as natural sponges, they absorb excess rainfall, thereby reducing the risk of floods. As effective carbon sinks, wetlands store carbon in both soil and biomass. Beyond this, they are often called the ‘kidney of the landscape’ due to their ability to filter pollutants, purify water and maintain water quality. 

Despite their significance, wetlands are also one of the earth’s most threatened ecosystems. From 1970-2020, more than 35 per cent of the world’s wetlands have vanished due to various reasons. Land conversion for agriculture, urbanisation and infrastructure development are the leading reasons behind declining wetland areas. Also, industrial and domestic waste pollute water bodies, and unsustainable farming practices disrupt hydrology. Climate change exacerbates these challenges by altering rainfall patterns and increasing the frequency of extreme events. In view of such challenges, an international legal framework was outlined. 

Global legal framework: Ramsar Convention 

The Ramsar Convention was adopted in 1971 in the city of Ramsar in Iran and came into force in 1975. It was the first intergovernmental agreement focused exclusively on a specific ecosystem, i.e. wetlands. The convention provides a comprehensive definition of ‘wetland’ encompassing marshes, fens, peatlands and water bodies and includes natural, artificial, permanent and temporary wetlands. It rests on the three main pillars: conservation of wetlands of international importance, promotion of the wise use of all wetlands within a country’s territory and international co-operation on shared wetland systems and migratory species.

The central principle of the convention is “wise use” of the wetlands, which means “the maintenance of their ecological character, achieved through the implementation of ecosystem approaches, within the context of sustainable development”. 

The convention has 172 parties, and the Parties need to designate wetlands having ecological, botanical, zoological, limnological or hydrological significance for inclusion in ‘the list of wetlands of International importance’. There are 2,544 wetlands designated under the list. The convention also requires contracting parties to consult and co-operate in managing transboundary wetlands and shared water systems. It further calls for the coordination of policies and regulations to conserve wetlands and their dependent biodiversity. 

Ramsar CoP15: Renewed commitments 

The representatives of the government of each of the contracting parties meet every three years (CoP). The theme of the CoP 15 was “Protecting Wetlands for Our Common Future”, which emphasises the important role wetlands play in sustaining ecological health, biodiversity, and climate resilience. One of the main objectives was to develop closer co-operation with other international environmental agreements, stronger institutions, wider partnership and adequate financial support. It adopted the 5th Strategic Plan of the Convention on Wetlands with a timeline of 2025-2034. The vision of the plan is: A world living in harmony with nature where wetlands are valued, conserved, restored and wisely used, supporting a healthy planet and delivering benefits for all people.

At Ramsar CoP15, India introduced a resolution on ‘Promoting Sustainable Lifestyles for the Wise Use of Wetlands’ which was formally adopted on July 30, 2025. The resolution focuses on the role of Individual and societal choices in conserving wetlands and aligns with global frameworks. It calls for voluntary integration of sustainable lifestyle practices into wetland management through education, awareness, collaboration and investment. 

Wetland conservation in India

India is one of the countries with the highest number of wetlands.  It has 1309 wetlands covering 16.9 million hectares of area, out of which 91 are listed under the Ramsar Convention. At least 6 per cent of the Indian population is directly dependent upon wetlands for its livelihood. Recognising the significance of wetlands, India has undertaken several initiatives for their conservation and management. 

Wetland rules, 2017 (which replaced the Wetland rules, 2010) are notified under the Environment Protection Act. The rules restrict activities such as conversion of wetlands for non-wetland purposes, industrial encroachment, dumping and discharge of waste, construction and poaching. To ensure the implementation of the rules, the National Wetland Committee and the State Wetland Authorities were established. 

On the policy front, the National Plan for Conservation of Aquatic Ecosystems has been implemented by the government for the conservation and management of wetlands and lakes. Also in 2023, the Save Wetland campaign was launched under the Mission Sahbhagita to make wetland conservation a people’s movement. It considers the wetland as ‘Amrit Darohar’ and works on four pillars: Communication, Education, Participation and Awareness (CEPA). 

However, wetlands in India are also facing rapid decline and degradation due to multiple factors.  Among all the factors, agriculture remains the foremost reason behind the loss of wetlands. Followed by urbanisation and industries. In states like Punjab and Kerala, conversion of wetlands for agriculture and urban construction. In coastal states, unsustainable aquaculture, particularly shrimp farming, and overfishing have degraded many wetlands. Also, urban pollution has severely affected wetlands such as Bellandur Lake in Bengaluru and Loktak Lake in Manipur. The wetlands in the Himalayan states are under threat due to unregulated urbanisation, unsustainable tourism, and climate change.  

Need for behavioural change 

Protecting and conserving wetlands is crucial due to their ecological, social and economic significance. India’s proactive role at Ramsar CoP15, through its resolution, reflects an effort to shift the conservation discourse from purely regulatory measures to behavioural change and community participation. However, translating this vision into reality, India needs to confront the multiple pressures that wetlands are facing. 

To secure these ecosystems, the issue of encroachment and waste dumping in wetlands needs to be dealt with sternly. For this, strict enforcement of Wetland Rules, 2017 would help. Weak implementation has allowed degradation to persist despite a sound policy framework. Also, public awareness and community participation are indispensable, since local populations are both beneficiaries and guardians of wetlands. Equally important is sustained and adequate funding to support the restoration and management of wetlands. 

By integrating legal enforcement with behavioural change and waste governance, India can move closer to achieving its commitment to ‘wise use of wetland’ and set a model for sustainable ecological stewardship. 

Post read questions 

What is a wetland? Explain the Ramsar concept of ‘wise use’ in the context of wetland conservation. 

Wetlands are often called the “kidneys of the landscape”. Analyse this statement in the context of their ecological, social and economic significance.

Behavioural change is as important as legal enforcement for wetland conservation. Discuss with reference to India’s resolution at Ramsar CoP15.

How does Mission LiFE (Lifestyle for Environment) complement India’s wetland conservation goals under the Ramsar Convention?

In what ways can wetland conservation contribute to climate resilience and disaster risk reduction in India? Illustrate with examples.

(Renuka is a Doctoral researcher at Himachal Pradesh National Law University, Shimla.)

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