The Nepali term for wetland is “Simsar”, which means lands with water. Lakes, ponds, rivers, swamps, reservoirs and paddy fields are all wetlands. Wetlands, however, function as a corridor connecting marine, aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems.

What are wetlands?

Wetlands are basically transitional areas, sandwiched between permanently flooded deep-water environments and well-drained uplands. Wetlands include swamps, marshes. Forested wetlands and many more. So, wetlands are basically the lands where water saturation determines the nature of the soil and the types of plants and animal communities living in the soil and the surface.

Why are wetlands important?

Wetlands provide habitat for thousands of animal and plant species. They are equally important for flood protection. Improvement of the water quality. Natural products and shoreline erosion control. Wetlands are one of the most productive habitats on earth which provide shelter for important animals like fish and shellfish (not selfish obviously), dragonflies and also wintering grounds for migrating birds.

World wetlands day falls on February 2nd every year and the day reminds us that we must preserve and protect wetlands. In the past few years, wetlands have been facing many threats from the impacts of climate change, unsustainable development and anthropogenic activities. The overgrazing, heavy infrastructure development and pollution are degrading the condition of wetlands,

Nepal has been applying various programs for the conservation of wetlands but the local people should also be equally aware about the condition and should be well informed about the basic knowledge on wetlands. Without the help of locals, preservation is almost impossible. Nepal is a country gifted with a good water system, making that a strength we can be active in the study, research and preservation of the wetland areas. However, as a good citizen the bare minimum we can do is not put any harm to it even if we cannot work for the betterment. So, this wetland conservation day, 2nd February 2022, we can have the basic idea about the wetlands in Nepal and at least be acknowledged on something new, promote awareness and preserve better than regret.

 

Wetland in ICIMOD

The natural swampy wetland area at ICIMOD Knowledge Park is well preserved to demonstrate how we can enhance wetland biodiversity of both flora and fauna, as well as how we can manage springs in wetland areas for good quality water that can be used by people downstream for drinking and irrigation. The natural wetland area at the Knowledge Park is also used for educational purposes, where children can observe and identify wetland land species.

 

Dragonflies and Wetland

Dragonflies are an important part of the wetland ecosystem which require water for their life cycle. They lay their eggs in the water or on surrounding aquatic plants. So far, more than 52 species of dragonflies have been identified in the swampy wetland area at our Knowledge Park in Godavari.