Historically, wetlands have shaped human culture. Across regions, communities-built temple economies around these spaces, linking them with gods and goddesses. Rivers, ponds, and marshes often became sacred centers of belief. People worshipped water deities , organized festivals around them, and protected wetlands as part of their spiritual duty. This cultural bond ensured that wetlands were preserved, since harming them meant disrespecting both community values and the divine. Painted Storks resting on an island in Bharatpur National Park , Rajasthan ( Photo Credit: Virat Jolli) When we think of life-supporting ecosystems, forests and rivers often get the spotlight. But the stretches of land where water and soil meet formed a unique wetlands ecosystem . They are rich ecological systems, deeply tied to culture, livelihoods, and biodiversity . Far from being “wastelands,” wetlands are living landscapes that hold immense social, ecological, and economic importa...