What is a Wetlands?

A wetland is an area where land and water meet. These can be natural or man-made. Rivers, freshwater lakes, streams, marshes, ponds and swam...

A wetland is an area where land and water meet. These can be natural or man-made. Rivers, freshwater lakes, streams, marshes, ponds and swamps are a few examples of natural wetlands. High altitude wetlands (HAWs) are those wetlands that are located at and above 3,000 metres above sea level and are fed by glaciers or snow from the surrounding mountains. These include lakes, rivers, ponds and glacial lakes.

The HAWs found in the Indian Himalayas are of great importance because they help store water and control floods and droughts by absorbing water like sponges and slowing down the rate of river flow. They help purify water, prevent soil erosion and recharge groundwater. They provide a healthy habitat to unique wildlife, especially water birds, and feed rivers which eventually fulfil our water needs. These Himalayan wetlands play an important role in the water system of mighty rivers like the Ganges, Brahmaputra and Indus.

Due to their sheer beauty and cultural significance, these wetlands attract millions of tourists every year, and it is becoming increasingly difficult for the region to retain its identity as a life bearer due to pollution caused by humans. It is vital that HAWs be conserved to secure a steady supply of water to the entire region and to safeguard communities and biodiversity that depend on these freshwater sources.


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