Wetlands Of Nepal - Preserving Biodiversity

With an approximate area of 743,500 hectares ( nearly 5% of the country's area), Nepal homes 242 wetlands which are often considered as the most productive ecosystems of the world.

Last year (2022) a total of 28 sites were declared as Ramsar sites. Based on the date of designation mentioned on the Ramsar Certificate, the number is 19 for year (2022) and 14 for year (2021).

They are Koshi Tappu in Sunsari, Beeshazari in Chitwan, Ghodaghodi in Kailali, Gokyo in Solukhumbu, Gosaikunda in Rasuwa, Jagadishpur in Kapilbastu, Maipokhari in Illam, Phoksundo in Dolpa and Rara Lake in Mugu.

The Nepali term for wetland is “Simsar”, which means land with water. Lakes, ponds, rivers, swamps, reservoirs and paddy fields are all wetlands.

Wetlands and their significance:

Wetlands are an important part of the ecosystem that regulate water and have a unique role in maintaining the food chain. Wetlands are also habitats for several species of wildlife, from aquatic animals to migratory birds, which lie within various ecosystems of the high mountains and lowland plains. Hence wetlands functions as a corridor connecting marine, aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems.

As a part of the freshwater ecosystem, wetlands play a crucial role for humans as well as biodiversity. Likewise their existence is integral to culture, religion, tourism, livelihoods and the economy.

Wetlands yield fuelwood for cooking, thatch for roofing, fibers for textiles and paper making, and timber for building. Medicines are extracted from their bark, leaves, and fruits, and they also provide tannins and dyes, used extensively in the treatment of leather," according to the World Wide Fund for Nature.

Types of wetlands:

Wetlands take many forms including rivers, marshes, bogs, mangroves, mudflats, ponds, swamps, billabongs, lagoons, lakes, and floodplains.

Threats in Nepal:

Threats to wetlands:

In recent years, wetlands have been facing many threats primarily from the impacts of climate change, unsustainable development and anthropogenic activities. Climate change is altering hydrological regimes and increasing the vulnerability of the wetlands whereas encroachment, overgrazing, unsustainable tourism and infrastructure development and pollution are degrading the health of wetlands.

Unsustainable harvesting of wetland resources, the spread of invasive species and sedimentation have also resulted in the rapid deterioration of the wetlands in Nepal and in the region.

As today we are celebrating World wetland day 2023 , we must know that Wetlands are an important part of the natural ecosystem and Nepal is gifted with one of the world’s most treasured water systems. In order to sustain the benefits from wetlands and their resources, for the present and the future and for people and biodiversity, it is important that Nepal builds synergy in conservation efforts starting with strong political commitment and driven by cooperation from the local to national and global levels.