On February 2, the world celebrated the World Wetlands Day (WWD) to mark the anniversary of the signing of the ‘Convention on Wetlands of International Importance’, more simply known as the ‘Ramsar Convention’ in Ramsar, Iran, on February 2, 1971.
This day holds importance for a state like Goa as our ecology consists of wetlands. Wetlands are one of the crucial natural resources. They are areas of land that are either temporarily or permanently covered by water. This means that a wetland is neither truly aquatic nor terrestrial; it is possible that wetlands can be both at the same time depending on seasonal variability. Thus, wetlands exhibit enormous diversity according to their genesis, geographical location, water regime and chemistry, dominant plants and soil or sediment characteristics.
According to Space Applications Centre’s (ISRO) 2009 National Wetland Inventory and Assessment (NWIA) major wetland types observed in the state are mangroves, inter-tidal mud flats, salt pans and reservoirs. Carambolim Lake, Chorao Island, Salaulim reservoir and Anjuna reservoir are the most important wetland areas in the state. The report states, in the state of Goa, 383 wetlands have been delineated (in addition, 167 wetlands smaller than 2.25 ha have also been determined). The total wetland area was estimated as 21,337 ha with major wetland types being river/stream (9,362 ha), inter tidal mud flats (3,286 ha), salt pans (2,929 ha), reservoirs (2,363 ha) and mangroves (1,752 ha). North Goa has 13,693 hectares, while South Goa has 7,644 hectares of wetlands area respectively.
Thus, it becomes important to safeguard these wetlands. They are under threat not only due to urbanisation but also due to institutional set up. “Earlier studies carried out by TERI in Divar island, indicated that Khazan lands were degrading due to the weakening of the institutional set up such as Communidades and Tenants Association,” says Ms Saltanat Kazi, Associate fellow, TERI, Educating Youth for Sustainable Development. She further added that khazans are a versatile ecosystem that simultaneously supports agriculture and pissiculture.
Wetlands are considered as a home for biodiversity. They control floods and as they absorb the excess water. Also mangroves help in preventing soil erosion.
A two day programme 2-3 February 2012 is being jointly organised by Department of Tourism, TERI and Goa Chamber of Commerce and Industry along with associate partners de Souza group, Institute of Hotel Management, Clube Tennis de Gasper Dias and Sita travels.
This year the theme set by the Ramsar Convention is ‘Wetlands and Tourism’. Several activities have been chalked out including lecture on wetland and tourism by Ms Sangeeta Sonak of Srujan, film screening, group discussion and presentation, field visit to Carambolim lake, beach trail and sand carving competition for college and school students which will culminate in a valedictory function at Clube Tennis de Gasper Dias.
Why we need wetlands
Wetlands support a large variety of plant and animal species adapted to fluctuating water levels, making the wetlands of critical ecological significance.
Wetlands directly and indirectly support millions of people in providing services such as food, fiber and raw materials, storm and flood control, clean water supply, scenic beauty and educational and recreational benefits.
The Millennium Ecosystem Assessment estimates conservatively that wetlands cover seven percent of the earth’s surface and deliver 45% of the world’s natural productivity and ecosystem services of which the benefits are estimated at $20 trillion a year
(Source : www.MAweb.org).
