Approximately 4.86% of India’s land area is covered by wetlands – ecosystems that are often referred to as the “Earth’s kidneys” because they are crucial for maintaining an ecological balance.

However, many of India’s wetlands are under threat due to urbanisation, domestic and industrial pollution, and unscientific land-use practices. Urban wetlands in major cities are particularly at a high risk due to rapid urbanisation and unchecked discharges from nearby dumpsites or sewage.

Since 1997, World Wetlands Day has been celebrated on February 2 every year to highlight why these ecosystems are vital for people and the health of the planet. Given that wetlands are the Earth’s most threatened ecosystem, this year’s theme is “protecting wetlands for our common future”.

Wetlands are natural sponges that prevent flooding and soil erosion by absorbing excess water runoff. They also trap a significant amount of carbon and are natural waste-water treatment systems. In addition, they are home to a wide range of life forms, including microbes, plants, insects, amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals.

India has a substantial number of ecologically important wetlands, ranging from the high-altitude Himalayan wetlands to coastal marshes, inland lakes, and riverine wetlands plains.

But not all of them have been recognised and listed in the – an international treaty on...