Wetlands

What is a wetland?

A wetland is an area where land remains permanently or seasonally covered or saturated with water — such as a lake, marsh, pond, or the wet zone along a riverbank. Such areas are home to many species of plants and animals (especially birds), and help maintain groundwater levels, control floods and purify water.

Recognising the importance of wetlands, an international treaty was signed on 2 February 1971 in the city of Ramsar, Iran — called the 'Ramsar Convention'. In memory of this date, 'World Wetlands Day' is observed every year on 2 February.

Rajasthan's Ramsar sites

Rajasthan currently has a total of 4 sites on the Ramsar list (wetlands of international importance).[Source 1]

Traditional water structures are part of wetlands too

For centuries, people in Rajasthan built small traditional structures to harvest rainwater, which are also considered part of the wetland system — the johad (a small pond that raises groundwater levels), the khadin (a special water-retention system for farming in desert areas, mainly developed by the Paliwal Brahmins of Jaisalmer), and the baori/stepwell. The Chand Baori at Abhaneri in Dausa district is counted among the world's deepest and most famous stepwells.

These structures show that wetlands aren't limited to large natural lakes — small man-made water structures also contribute to ecological balance, connecting directly to EVS's 'traditional knowledge and environment' theme.

The benefits of wetlands — at a glance

Wetlands are called nature's 'kidneys' because they filter and purify water, absorb excess floodwater, and release water slowly during droughts. They also store carbon within themselves, helping control climate change, which is why they're also classed as 'carbon sinks'.

Livelihoods such as fishing, growing water chestnuts, and reed-based handicrafts are also available to communities living around many wetlands — showing that wetland conservation is directly tied to the local economy as well as ecology.

Sambhar Lake's economic role

Sambhar Lake is important not just ecologically but also economically — it accounts for a notable share of India's total salt production, and is counted among the country's oldest and largest inland salt-production centres. In winter, large numbers of migratory birds such as flamingos arrive here, making the lake a meeting point of both the salt industry and bird tourism.

Scientific surveys such as the 'Asian Waterbird Census' are also conducted every year at Keoladeo and other wetlands, keeping a long-term record of bird numbers and species — this data helps in understanding a wetland's health and taking timely conservation measures.

River-based wetlands — the National Chambal Sanctuary

Wetlands aren't limited to lakes — the area along riverbanks is also an important aquatic ecosystem. The National Chambal Sanctuary, spread across the borders of Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh along the Chambal river, has been established for the conservation of rare aquatic species such as the gharial and the Ganges river dolphin.

This example is useful for teaching children that wetlands and river ecosystems are deeply connected, and clean flowing water is essential not just for humans but for many rare aquatic species too.

Keoladeo's history and threats to wetlands

Keoladeo Ghana National Park has an interesting history — it was originally developed in the 19th century by the Maharaja of Bharatpur as a protected area for duck hunting. Later, recognising its ecological importance, it was declared a bird sanctuary and then a national park; it was already on the Ramsar list by 1981, and in 1985 it was also declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Today wetlands face many challenges — pollution of water sources, encroachment, excessive groundwater extraction, and falling water levels due to climate change all affect wetland biodiversity. At sites like Sambhar Lake, salt-mining activity keeps pressure on the ecological balance, which is why, along with declaring protected areas, local community participation is also considered necessary.

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