Wetlands – RAMSAR Wise use Concept

Wetlands are Eco tones between terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems.

India currently has 27 sites designated as Wetlands of International Importance (Ramsar Sites). Some of them are

• Ashtamudi Wetland in Kerala
• Bhitarkanika Mangroves in Odisha

Ramsar “Wise use concept” requires that wetlands’ ecological character should be maintained within the framework of sustainable development. This concept recognizes that:

• Developmental activities are inevitable in wetland areas such as construction of roads, electricity infrastructure, schools and hospitals for poor families.
• Economic activities are also inevitable in wetland areas such as fisheries, farming and tourism.
• Such activities aid in human development and economic development in a wetland area.
• And for these activities, wetland’s land, water and bio-resources will have to be used.
• However, these resources should not be used in a manner that wetland’s ecological character is harmed.

The practical applications of “Wise Use” concept are as following:

• Use of Water: 
  1. Farmers in wetland region require freshwater for cultivation of paddy, fruits and vegetables.
  2. But, it should not lead to overexploitation of freshwater else wetland’s regenerative capacity will suffer.
  3. Fish, reptiles and amphibians will die.
  4. Therefore, Government may impose legal ‘upper limits / ceiling’ on water use.
• Use of Land: 
  1. Wetlands purify air and water, they moderate adverse weather impacts and thus protect human health.
  2. However, mining, infrastructure and transportation services harm wetlands, and thereby indirectly harm human health.
  3. Hence, the ‘land’ of wetland should be generally not used for such activities.
• Use of Biomass: 
  1. Fishing is one of the primary occupations of people in Wetland area.
  2. But excessive fishing, especially during reproduction season will harm wetland’s food web.
  3. Hence, government may impose restriction and encourage aquaculture and ‘rice-fish’ management practices.

Conclusion:

Wetland conservation is crucial for protecting biodiversity and mitigating the adverse impacts of climate change. At the same time, due to high level of poverty & population, it’s not possible for developing countries & Least Developed Countries (LDCs) to keep wetlands in pristine conditions completely free from human activities. The “wise use” concept of Ramsar convention is a notable attempt made to strike balance between these two opposing aspects.