A BRIEF INTRODUCTION

World Wetlands day, internationally celebrated every year on 2 February, is a public awareness program to raise the importance and value of wetlands all over. Ever since this was first observed in 1971, several organizations and agencies have had their roles played in this important conservation and awareness activity.

WHAT ARE WETLANDS?

In simple terms, these are the type of terrains where water meets land. They include mangroves, marshes, rivers, lakes, deltas and similar such water bodies. Together these ecosystems form the crux of habitat for many species, perform the role of a buffer during the times of flooding by absorbing heavy rainfall, and their ability to naturally filter water keeping the harmful pollutants on the bay thereby ensuring supply of clean water all through the year.

Photograph: Grey Plover

EFFECTS OF RAPID SHRINK:

Over the years, the rapid growth of urbanization has had negative impacts on the sustainability of these ecosystems. The once enormous hectares of marshes and swamps are shrinking at a rapid rate. The consequences of such practices are so apparent with climatic changes and the prevalent extreme weather conditions. During heavy rains, it is a natural phenomenon for waters to flow from the high lands to the low-lying marshlands and swamps. These bodies have naturally formed to help collect and absorb rain waters to various everyday usage. In the absence of them, there are limited ways for the water to seep through the ground, and hence, large scale flooding.

Photograph: Eurasian Curlew

REMEDIATION:

It is high time for the respective authorities to act upon the rapid shrinking of these wetlands thereby serving its sustainability and boosting the biodiversity. Such remediation acts are to be implemented promptly so as to get benefited by its immense social and ecological well being that in turn has a huge positive impact on the planet.

Photograph: Pacific Golden Plovers

Here are more photographs of the species in their habitat along the marshlands and lakes around Chennai!

Photograph: Flamingos in Action

Photograph: Lesser Crested Tern

Photograph: Great Egret

Photograph: A Greater flamingo in the foreground about to take off among others in the background

Be responsible and spread the good cheer with an awareness on ecological sustenance of wetlands, thereby stimulating the existence of other species! Let’s live in harmony!

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