Urban wetlands are not wastelands, they are essential for climate resilient cities
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Urban wetlands can be very beneficial for Indian cities as they can fulfil several important functions such as providing a natural environment for efficient carbon sequestration, improving the quality of surface water, and creating much-needed recreational areas for city dwellers. They also act as sponges for rainwater and play an important role in flood control while contributing heavily towards groundwater recharge. Wetlands can blunt the force of major storms resulting in reduced coastal erosion and damage to individual properties, which can be crucial for Indian coastal cities.
Wetlands can also provide increased resilience to extreme weather events for local communities – which is the need of the hour for many Indian cities which are grappling with floods during monsoon season. Wetlands contain about 12% of the global carbon pool and coastal wetlands sequester carbon up to 55 times faster than tropical rainforests. In order to achieve net-zero carbon goals for Indian urban centres, reviving and conserving wetlands within city premises may be the most efficient tool for urban planners.
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In this regard, the Wetlands of India portal, which is a knowledge repository for wetlands by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) could be an essential engagement tool. City administrations and state governments can collaborate with the ministry and engage in knowledge exchange programmes regarding wetland ecosystems and collaborate further on their conservation and management.
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It is in the interest of city administrations and their respective state governments to take lead on conservation work around urban wetlands. Working closely and in collaboration with MoEFCC, the city administrations can imagine the implementation of wetland conservation and protection with a wide range of stakeholders while promoting active citizen participation. Public awareness programmes can also integrate ecological, cultural and historical resources associated with the wetland ecosystems.
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