World Wetlands Day is observed on February 2 each year to raise global awareness about wetlands and the vital role they play for the planet.  

This day also marks the date of the adoption of the Convention on Wetlands on February 2, 1971, in the Iranian city of Ramsar.  

Also Read | Budget 2021: FM Sitharaman lists slew of measures for environmental protection

What are wetlands?

Wetlands are areas that are saturated or flooded with water, either seasonally or permanently, where oxygen-free processes prevail. The primary characteristic differentiating wetlands from other land forms of water bodies is the vegetation of aquatic plants adapted to the unique hydric soil. 

Inland wetlands include marshes, ponds, lakes, fens, rivers, floodplains and swamps. Coastal wetlands include saltwater marshes, estuaries, mangroves, lagoons and even coral reefs. 

Fishponds, rice paddies and saltpans comprise human-made wetlands. 

Also Read | Ikea acquires over 10,000 acres of forestland in Georgia to protect it from development

Often considered as useless, disease-ridden places, wetlands are vital ecosystems that provide unique values, including water quality improvement, flood protection, shoreline erosion control among others. 

Theme for 2021

This year’s theme, which is ‘Wetlands and Water’ is to raise awareness on wetlands’ importance as a source of freshwater and encourage actions for their restoration and conservation. 

Water and wetlands are interconnected and co-exist in a way vital for the environment and our way of life.