Community and Culture Central to India’s Wetland Conservation Push

Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Bhupender Yadav on Monday said that wetlands nurture not only ecosystems but also communities, culture, and livelihoods, underscoring their critical role in sustaining life and ecological balance. Marking World Wetlands Day 2026 , the Minister said that water is life and wetlands are the lifelines of the planet.

In a post on social media platform X, Yadav highlighted this year’s theme, “Wetlands and Traditional Knowledge: Celebrating Cultural Heritage,” and said India has placed communities and cultural heritage at the centre of its wetland conservation strategy. He noted that India is home to more than two lakh wetlands of various types, including lakes, ponds, marshes, mangroves, floodplains and coastal ecosystems, which support biodiversity and millions of livelihoods across the country.

The Minister further said that under the environmentally conscious leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi , India’s Ramsar network has expanded from 26 sites in 2014 to 98 sites , making India the country with the highest number of Ramsar wetlands in Asia. These internationally recognised wetlands reflect India’s growing commitment to conservation through community participation and traditional knowledge systems.

To mark World Wetlands Day, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change organised a national-level event at the Asola Bhatti Wildlife Sanctuary in the national capital. The programme focused on the ecological importance of wetlands and highlighted the role of indigenous practices, local communities and traditional wisdom in their sustainable management.

Addressing the event, Union Minister of State Kirti Vardhan Singh said wetlands are not merely water resources but are deeply intertwined with people’s daily social and cultural lives. He said wetlands have traditionally been spaces for community interaction and are closely linked with festivals, customs and religious practices. Expressing satisfaction over the growing involvement of the younger generation in conservation activities, Singh stressed that environmental protection cannot be achieved only through rules and regulations and must evolve into a people-led movement.

Earlier, Singh also drew attention to the ecological and cultural significance of the Parvati Arga Bird Sanctuary in Gonda district of Uttar Pradesh, one of India’s Ramsar sites. He said the wetland supports numerous native and migratory bird species and holds deep personal and cultural value for local communities. A video teaser showcasing the sanctuary’s biodiversity and fragile ecological balance was released during the event.

Delhi Environment Minister Sardar Manjinder Singh Sirsa said wetlands play a vital role in everyday life but have suffered due to rapid urbanisation, encroachments and human-induced activities. He said the Delhi government has set a target to restore the city’s water bodies within the next two years as part of its environmental restoration efforts.

Secretary, Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Tanmay Kumar , said environmental protection is not possible without active community participation. He highlighted the role of Wetland Mitras , who work at the grassroots level to conserve wetlands, directly influencing the surrounding environment, culture and livelihoods. Kumar said the sharp rise in the number of Ramsar sites since 2014 reflects increasing public awareness about the importance of wetlands and community-driven conservation.

The event also featured the inauguration of an exhibition showcasing institutions and organisations working in the fields of wetlands, biodiversity and environmental conservation. States with newly designated Ramsar sites were felicitated during the programme.

During the event, the Ministry released a publication titled “Cultural Wonders of Ramsar Sites,” which documents the lesser-known cultural and intangible heritage associated with wetlands across India. Swachhata Pakhwada 2025 Awards were also presented to the National Museum of Natural History, New Delhi, the Botanical Survey of India, Kolkata, and the Zoological Survey of India, Kolkata for their exemplary performance.

The programme concluded with interactions between Ministers, Wetland Mitras and school children to promote awareness, followed by a plantation drive under the ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ initiative, reinforcing the message of environmental responsibility.

World Wetlands Day is observed every year on February 2 , marking the adoption of the Ramsar Convention in Ramsar, Iran, in 1971. India became a signatory to the convention in 1982 and now leads Asia with 98 wetlands of international importance , while hosting over two lakh wetlands nationwide that support biodiversity, culture and livelihoods.