Shafat Reshi
All human bodies produce waste matter due to the working of different systems necessary to maintain its healthy function. Kidneys have a very important role in extracting toxic waste material from the human body. When uncontrolled pressure comes on these kidneys and they start breaking down, in extreme conditions it could lead to kidney failure which means failure of entire systems in a human body.
Now if we compare the above theory of waste extraction from the human body with the system of our environment, wetlands take on the role of these kidneys. Wetlands are very important constituents of an ecosystem and act like Kidneys in a human body. These kidneys need to be maintained with utmost care much like in human bodies. Kidneys not only extract toxic waste from our body but also purify blood and circulate it back to the system. Wetlands work on the same analogy in our ecosystem with additional purpose of conservation of biodiversity and overall maintenance of the health of water bodies. Photo by Ansaar ahmed
Modern day phenomenon such as urbanization, industrialization, deforestation and mobilization has strong negative effects and bad impact on these defense mechanisms of our environment. Nature has given the environment a proper defense system but it is viable only up to a certain limit and when this threshold is exceeded due to different man made activities, it produces an adverse affect on our eco system and paves the way for unhealthy environments giving birth to numerous issues like Global warming, Melting of Glaciers, excessive rains, very cold winters, and very hot summers, shortage of water, shortage of food due to droughts, floods, health issues like different cancers, communicable diseases etc etc
Our wetlands are part and parcel of our ecosystem and water bodies are the most important constituents of our environment. Interdependency of all these constituents of our ecosystem has been studied at different levels all over the world. When deteriorating situation of water bodies was noticed as the main cause of deterioration of environment locally as well as globally, a convention was organized which paved the way for a common consensus and during the year 1971 on 2nd Feb, it was finalized at a place known as Ramsar. Ramsar is a place in Iran where first convention on wetlands was organized on 2nd February 1971 with the aim of conservation of wetlands and water bodies. Almost all developed and developing countries became its members and a wide and comprehensive platform was brought into existence for raising public awareness about the importance and values of wetlands and its conservation. All its programs where given broad open publicity in all its member countries. All member countries organized different programs and projects on this important day namely Wetland Conservation Day by different ways, means and methods.
Different constituents responsible for deterioration of water bodies in general and wetlands in particular can be discussed here:
* Industrialization
Industrialization revolutionized the development of all modern cities and towns world over but also gave birth to numerous problems. Environment got affected badly in the shape of exposure to waste in different forms such as emission of poisonous gases, solid hazardous waste and toxic liquids. All these forms of wastes find water bodies and wetlands as their final resting place. It results in high level of pollution to water bodies and wetlands. These pollutants are the main causes of death of wildlife and flora and fauna in wetlands and the eventual deterioration of environment.
* Deforestation
Deforestation causes silting of water basins. Areas of runoff increase due to removal of land cover which finally decreases the volume of wetland and other water bodies.
* Urbanization
Rapid urbanization is the byproduct of industrialization. Urban areas produce more garbage, solid waste, liquid waste and construction waste as compared to the country side areas. Mismanagement of all these sorts of wastes in the form of deposition in and around water bodies and wetlands occurs unchecked as our wetlands are mostly unattended and uncontrolled. Liquid waste, primarily untreated waste water flows into these wetlands through different channels and produces toxic substances which inhibit the aquatic and wildlife. Most flora and fauna disappears over time due to this unrelenting poisonous waste flow to wetland and water bodies.
Excavation
Excavation is inevitable but excess excavation gives birth to numerous environmental issues. Disturbing the earth’s crust is always dangerous to water bodies as it increases run off and leads to silting of water bodies especially wetlands because wetlands are more exposed to such activities, reducing their value as well as that of other water bodies.
Lack of environmental education
No or little knowledge of conservation of wetlands, water bodies and the general environment is widely accepted to be one of the reasons for the apathy within the general masses towards the fact of deterioration of such vital environmental components. Proper mass awareness initiatives can propel a conversation towards the saving of water bodies and preventing the wetlands from getting misused.
Kashmir, a beautiful valley surrounded by mighty Himalayas, has magnificent water bodies in the physical shape of lakes, rivers, streams, canals and wetlands. These famous water bodies not only maintain the eco balance of environment but produce variety of food items and provide efficient means of water transport. Srinagar is second home to the all migratory birds from South Asia, Siberian region, Russia, Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan and North China. Our wetlands and lake form safe Habitat these millions of migratory birds during winter months.
Larger areas in Kashmir are wetlands which remain with soaked with water for the whole year and form a vital link between land and water bodies and provide safe habitat for a variety of plant and wildlife. They also manage heavy rainwater during rainy seasons when rivers and streams flow to their full capacity and release the same during low decreased level in rivers.
Wetlands being vital part of our environment and Habitat for millions of species dwelling in them are responsible for maintaining our ecosystem. They also provide livelihood to communities living in and around these wetlands. Numerous products from wetlands contribute towards a healthy economy of its hinter land. The population living around or in close vicinity of these wetlands and water bodies are required to be educated about the importance of water bodies especially wetlands. Schools around these areas need to be given more emphasis and their wards need to be holistically engaged about the structural makeup of wetlands and their importance.
Global warming, climate change, climate disturbance in Kashmir in particular and around the world in general is the outcome of extinction of water bodies and ill treatment that is rendered towards them by human interference. Srinagar faced the devastating floods during September 2014 rendering millions jobless, homeless and crushed down the economy. This calamity can to some extent be attributed to the ill respect we gave our water bodies including these very same wetlands.
Authorities as well as NGOs and the general public need to wake up and safeguard these precious components of our ecosystem be it wetlands, lakes, or streams by means propagation, conservation and preservation. Monitoring of wetlands and other water bodies manually as well as by artificial intelligence is required. Educating general masses especially students and other population living in, around and nearby these water bodies will definitely safeguard their existing position. Public should not have uninhibited access to water bodies and proper watch and ward is needed around the clock. All water bodies such as lakes, wetlands and drinking water sources should be notified and demarcated on the pattern of national parks and wildlife sanctuaries properly and geotagged. This also can be achieved by providing and maintaining proper buffer zones and green belts areas around wetlands and other water bodies and restrictions need to be put on vehicular traffic around the wetlands to decrease the carbon footprint.
Need of the hour is to shake up our conscience towards water bodies and water resources including wetlands for this conservation, propagation and management and make sure that efforts are laid into making sure that the declaration of Ramsar Iran of Second Feb 1971 is adhered to.
(The author is a town planner)
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