World Wetlands Day 2023: Date, History, Theme and Significance

Every year on February 2nd, people around the world celebrate wetlands and promote their conservation. The Ramsar Convention designated this day, and it was first observed in 1997. World Wetlands Day is an effort to raise awareness of these land masses and assist world leaders in realising their importance.

The Ramsar Convention was the first organisation to recognise World Wetland Day. This day has become a well-known global phenomenon. Learn more about the background, meaning, and theme of this day in this article.

What are Wetlands?

A large variety of plants and animals can be found in habitat in wetlands, which are regions of land that are at least seasonally covered by water. Large lakes, marshes, swamps, rivers, and flooded woods are only a few examples of their diverse shapes and sizes. Every year, environmentalists all across the world observe World Wetlands Day to raise awareness of these incredible expanses of land.

Importance of Wetlands

Wetlands serve as crucial habitats for biodiversity and have a wide range of advantages for people as well.

controlling the consequences of climate change and storing carbon

removing contaminants from rivers

lowering flood danger by retaining water

replenishing groundwater resources

supplying food, medication, and supplies

supporting local economies through tourism and fishing

providing chances for leisure activities like boating or birdwatching.

Did You Know?

Though they cover only around 6 per cent of the Earth's land surface, 40 percent of all plant and animal species live or breed in wetlands.

Wetlands are disappearing three times faster than forests.

Coastal wetlands sequester and store carbon up to 55 times faster than tropical rain forests.

Rice, grown in wetland paddies, is the staple diet of 3.5 billion people.

Here are some of the reasons why wetlands are so significant for both people and the environment

Except for Antarctica, every continent has wetlands. They range greatly in size, type, and location, and are highly diverse.

While some wetlands are generated through draining or filling, many more are found in the natural world.

There are currently 2433 sites totaling more than 250 million hectares on the Ramsar List of Wetlands of International Importance.

Wetlands are sometimes referred to as the "kidneys of the landscape" because they purify water by filtering out debris and contaminants.

Floodwaters are slowly released into streams and rivers by healthy wetlands, which act as sponges to absorb the water.

Wetlands mitigate erosion, offer natural water filtration, and lessen storm damage.

Their preservation is essential for maintaining biodiversity.

Why Are They In Danger?

Wetlands are among the ecosystems with the highest rates of decline, loss and degradation. Indicators of current negative trends in global biodiversity and ecosystem functions are projected to continue in response to direct and indirect drivers such as rapid human population growth, unsustainable production and consumption and associated technological development, as well as the adverse impacts of climate change.

Wetlands are disappearing three times faster than forests and are Earth's most threatened ecosystem. In just 50 years - since 1970 - 35% of the world's wetlands have been lost. Human activities that lead to loss of wetlands include drainage and infilling for agriculture and construction, pollution, overfishing and overexploitation of resources, invasive species and climate change.

This vicious cycle of wetland loss, threatened livelihoods, and deepening poverty is the result of mistakenly seeing wetlands as wastelands rather than lifegiving sources of jobs, incomes, and essential ecosystem services. A key challenge is to change mindsets to encourage governments and communities to value and prioritise wetlands.

What Is World Wetlands Day?

World Wetlands Day is celebrated each year on 2 February to raise awareness about wetlands. This day also marks the anniversary of the Convention on Wetlands, which was adopted as an international treaty in 1971.

Why World Wetlands Day?

Nearly 90% of the world's wetlands have been degraded since the 1700s, and we are losing wetlands three times faster than forests. Yet, wetlands are critically important ecosystems that contribute to biodiversity, climate mitigation and adaptation, freshwater availability, world economies and more.

It is urgent that we raise national and global awareness about wetlands in order to reverse their rapid loss and encourage actions to conserve and restore them. World Wetlands Day is the ideal time to increase people's understanding of these critically important ecosystems.

History of World Wetlands Day

World Wetland Day is observed annually on February 2 to increase awareness of the importance of wetlands for both people and the environment. In Ramsar, an Iranian city on the Caspian Sea shore, the Convention on Wetlands was adopted on this occasion. Although the Ramsar Convention took place in 1971, Wetlands Day was first observed formally in 1997.

Since 1997, governmental institutions, non-governmental organisations, and groups of people from all spheres of society have seized the chance to educate the public about the importance of wetlands in general and the Ramsar Convention in particular.

Theme for World Wetlands Day 2023

Each Year, A New Theme Is Chosen For Wetland Day. In 2023 Theme Is "It's Time For Wetlands Restoration," Which Highlights The Urgent Need To Prioritise Wetland Restoration.

About Wetlands International South Asia

Wetlands International South Asia is a non-government organisation that works for restoring and sustaining wetlands, their resources, and biodiversity in the South Asia region. The organisation provides evidence-based scientific and technical advice to central and state governments, wetland authorities, and civil society on various aspects of wetland management. The Wetlands International South Asia office in New Delhi (India) was established in 1996 as part of the Wetlands International network.

During 25 years of work in India, the organisation has formulated integrated plans for holistic management of several wetlands, conducted training courses for capacity development of wetland managers, undertaken inventory and assessments of wetland biodiversity and ecosystem services, and worked to enhance awareness of wetland values in society at large.

Wetlands International South Asia will be organising a public event on February 2 to mark the occasion of World Wetlands Day 2023 at the India International Centre, New Delhi. Mr. Amitabh Kant, G20 Sherpa of India will grace the occasion as the chief guest. Eminent personalities from diverse fields will be a part of the panel discussion, chaired by eminent scientist and former vice chancellor of Jawahar Lal University Prof. Sudhir Sopory.