Why Wetlands Matter?

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 importance.

 

SOURCE OF LIVELIHOOD AND LOCAL ECONOMY

Wetlands directly sustain local communities. They provide food in the form of fish, crabs, and edible plants. Villagers gather reeds, grasses, and clay for making mats, ropes, and handicrafts. Farmers benefit from fertile soil and moisture that make wetlands ideal for growing vegetables, medicinal plants, and grains. In some regions, people cultivate lotus, water chestnut, and other wetland crops that support both household consumption and local markets.

 

Beyond farming, wetlands also create opportunities for eco-tourism. Birdwatchers, researchers, and school groups visit biodiversity parks and sanctuaries, creating new streams of income. By supporting such diverse livelihoods, wetlands prove themselves to be more than just natural assets they are engines of local economies.

 

BIODIVERSITY HOTSPOTS

One of the most striking roles of wetlands is their ability to attract and host wildlife. During winter and summer, wetlands provide safe resting and breeding spaces for migratory birds that travel thousands of kilometers. These birds not only enrich local biodiversity but also indicate the health of the ecosystem.

 

In Delhi itself, we see clear examples. Yamuna Biodiversity Park (YBP), New Delhi has become a haven for migratory birds, with species like bar-headed geese and pintails returning year after year.  The YBP highlight how wetlands can bring back plants and animals that were disappearing from our landscapes.

 

WATER SECURITY AND GROUNDWATER RECHARGE

 

In a time when cities and villages struggle with falling water tables, wetlands act as natural reservoirs. They hold water during rains, slowly releasing it into underground aquifers. This recharge process helps maintain groundwater levels, ensuring a reliable water supply for drinking, farming, and daily use. By storing water, wetlands also reduce floods during monsoons and maintain flow in rivers during dry months.

 

WETLANDS AND THE ECONOMY AT LARGE

The role of wetlands goes beyond local survival. On a larger scale, they contribute to regional and national economies. Wetlands regulate climate, reduce pollution by filtering waste, and improve soil fertility. They make agriculture more productive, lower costs of water treatment, and prevent disasters that otherwise lead to huge economic losses.

 

When wetlands are restored, they open possibilities for new income sources - vegetable cultivation, herbal medicine plantations, fish farming, and eco-tourism. Even carbon trading and climate financing schemes now recognize wetlands as valuable assets in fighting global warming.

 

GOING TO THE NEXT LEVEL: CREATING WETLANDS

Preserving existing wetlands is important, but actively creating and restoring them takes us to the next level. Artificial wetlands, when designed well, function as natural water purifiers by absorbing toxins and heavy metals. In cities, they act as green lungs, cooling the environment and offering recreational spaces. They also become educational sites where students, researchers, and citizens can learn about ecology firsthand.

 

The success of Delhi’s biodiversity parks shows what is possible. With careful planning, degraded land was transformed into thriving wetlands. This not only revived biodiversity but also reconnected people to nature. If replicated across India, such efforts could secure water, food, and climate stability for generations.

 

CONCLUSION

Wetlands are not marginal lands waiting to be filled or drained, they are life-support systems in their own right. They protect cultures, sustain economies, recharge water, host wildlife, and fight climate change. They are sacred and practical at the same time. Recognizing their value means moving beyond seeing them as unused spaces and instead treating them as ecological treasures.

Investing in wetlands through protection, restoration, and creation is not charity. It is a strategy for survival and prosperity. The more we nurture wetlands, the more they nurture us.

About the Author:

Mr. Adarsh Kumar Chaudhary is a dedicated environmental enthusiast, currently pursuing a Bachelor of Education from Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University and a graduate In Humanities from Shivaji College, University of Delhi. Hailing from North District, New Delhi, He has a great compassion for environment protection and preservation. He loves to spend time in natural green landscapes.

For over a year he has been associated with BEST and co-ordinated field activities such as Butterfly Count and Winter Bird Counts in Delhi NCR. He has joined BEST with an aim to raise environmental awareness among Indian citizens.