By Dilini Shashikala    Wetland ecosystems play a critical role in our natural environment. Since the early historic settlements, Sri Lankan civilisations are intertwined with wetland ecosystems. The services rendered by the wetlands are immense, covering all environmental, social, and economic aspects.  The wetlands act as filtering systems, removing sediment, nutrients, and pollutants, providing us with clean water. They maintain ecosystem resilience while minimising the intensity and impacts from climatic disasters. More importantly, wetlands have the ability to absorb carbon and regulate the carbon levels of the atmosphere. Furthermore, wetlands are home to a diverse range of species, enhancing biodiversity and providing feeding and breeding grounds to migratory birds. Wetlands are very productive landscapes and as such, various industries such as agriculture, fisheries, forestry, and eco-tourism are bounded with these ecosystems. However, at present, human activities tremendously contribute to the degradation of wetlands by changing water quality, quantity, and flow rates; increasing pollutant inputs; and changing species composition as a result of disturbance and the introduction of non-native species. The quality and the quantity of wetlands all over the country are being diminished. Hence, it is high time that we bring up some sustainable solutions to conserve these ecosystems and enhance their uses.     [caption id="attachment_137729" align="alignright" width="416"] Figure 1: Wetland functions[/caption] The Ramsar Convention   The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development adopted by all United Nations (UN) member states, has identified the urgent need for restoration and management of water-related ecosystems, including wetlands. The Sustainable Development Goals place greater emphasis on wetland restoration and management, particularly through promoting sustainable agriculture, sustainable management of water and sanitation, building sustainable cities, combating climate change, sustainable management, and conservation of life on land and life below water.  The International Convention on Wetlands, the Ramsar Convention, was signed in 1971 in Ramsar, Iran. It is the only global treaty which focuses on wetlands, providing the framework for the conservation and wise use of wetlands and their resources. Currently, there are 171 contracting parties to the Convention including Sri Lanka. It defines wetlands as “areas of marsh, fen, peatland or water, whether natural or artificial, permanent or temporary with water that is static or flowing, fresh, brackish or salt, including areas of marine water the depth of which at low tide does not exceed six metres”.    Sri Lanka’s wetlands   Based on this definition, the wetlands of Sri Lanka can be divided into three broad categories as described in the National Wetland Directory of Sri Lanka:  

• Inland natural freshwater wetlands (e.g. rivers, streams, marshes, swamp forests, and villus) 
• Marine and saltwater wetlands (e.g. lagoons, estuaries, mangroves, seagrass beds, and coral reefs) 
• Man-made wetlands (e.g. tanks, reservoirs, rice fields, and salterns) 

Among the large number of wetlands found in Sri Lanka, there are six Ramsar wetland sites, namely Anawilundawa, Vankalai Sanctuary, Bundala, Kumana, Wilpattu Wetland Cluster, and Madu Ganga, which are of international significance. Most recently, Colombo, comprising a set of urban wetlands, was also accredited as a Ramsar wetland. However, the majority of Sri Lankan wetlands have faced threats due to various anthropogenic activities. As identified by Kotagama and Bambaradeniya (2006), the most frequently reported threat is siltation. Moreover, habitat deterioration/degradation of wetlands has occurred due to water pollution, clearing of vegetation, sand mining, reclamation, and unplanned irrigation structures. Loss or exploitation of species is another problem caused by poaching, water pollution, and ornamental fish and plant trade activities. The spread of invasive alien species in natural wetland habitats as well as natural phenomena such as prolonged droughts, and increase in seawater temperature are among other significant threats.     Local authorities’ efforts towards conservation of wetlands   The Fauna and Flora Protection Ordinance of 1937 ensures the conservation of wetland ecosystems while the ratification of the Ramsar Convention by Sri Lanka in 1990 directly highlights the country’s commitment towards the protection of these ecosystems. The National Wetland Steering Committee (NWSC) was established in 1989 by the Central Environmental Authority (CEA) and was revived in 2003, with the aim of integrating plans for wetland areas and co-ordinating development and conservation activities in wetlands. In 2006, the Ministry of Environment and CEA formulated the National Wetland Policy and Strategy for Sri Lanka with the objectives of protecting and conserving wetland ecosystems, preventing illegal utilisation, maintaining the biological diversity and productivity, enhancing their ecosystem services, assuring sustainable use of wetlands and traditional practices by local communities, and meeting national commitments as a signatory to the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands. The National Wetland Management Action Plan was also initiated, and the National Wetland Directory of Sri Lanka was prepared by the CEA in 2006 to identify threats to Sri Lankan wetlands and to propose conservation measures. Furthermore, the CEA and the Department of Wildlife Conservation (DWC) carry out several wetland conservation and management projects commemorating World Wetland Day on 2 February each year.   The national policy, “Vistas of Prosperity and Splendour” has given significant consideration to the conservation of these sensitive ecosystems and their services. The National Budget of 2021 has also allocated resources for projects such as Enhancing Biodiversity Conservation and Sustenance of Ecosystem services in Environmentally Sensitive Areas (ESAs). Recently, the Muthurajawela wetland area has been proposed to be upgraded to a national park for conservation purposes.   As an island gifted with diverse wetland ecosystems, we, the citizens, have a duty to use these resources wisely and sustainably. As much as we do for inland wetland systems, we must also care for coastal wetlands. Coastal wetlands have the ability to reduce coastal erosion through retaining sediment and accumulating new sediment, whilst also providing storm protection in coastal zones.   Maintaining healthy and diverse wetlands enormously contributes to the maintenance of the ecological balance of the environment. Therefore, wetlands must be given special attention when carrying out development projects. Proper co-ordination has to be maintained among development planners, scientists, and policymakers to conserve these sensitive ecosystems. Furthermore, these sensitive wetland ecosystems have to be managed, ensuring the efficient use of their resources to achieve future sustenance.     References  Kotagama, S.W. and Bambaradeniya, C.N.B., 2006. An overview of the wetlands of Sri Lanka and their conservation significance. National Wetlands Directory of Sri Lanka, pp.7-16 IUCN Sri Lanka and the Central Environmental Authority (2006) National Wetland Directory of Sri Lanka, Colombo, Sri Lanka  http://www.cea.lk/web/en/component/content/article?id=20:implementation-of-the-national-wetland-action-plan-ta https://www.ramsar.org/news/sri-lanka-launches-national-wetland-policy#:~:text=National%20Wetland%20Policy%20in%20Sri%20Lanka&text=The%20first%20major%20step%20was,coordinate%20development%20and%20conservation%20activities   (The writer is a Sustainable Development Officer of the Sustainable Development Council of Sri Lanka)