Cultural Economy of Wetlands

Our planet boasts incredible ecosystems, and wetlands are some of the most vibrant ones, teeming with life. Yet, these vital landscapes are rapidly vanishing. This article explores the Ramsar wetlands, their importance, threats to their existence, and their role in India’s rich tapestry of cultural practices.

Every time I travel back home to Guwahati, my hometown, there’s a detour route I always choose to travel by. It takes me past Deepor Beel, a sprawling urban wetland, a tapestry of life and Assam’s sole Ramsar site since 2002. Deepor Beel is not just a haven for migratory birds but also the lifeblood of the communities residing around it. From acting as Guwahati’s primary rainwater storage basin to offering a livelihood through its vibrant ecosystem, the Beel’s significance is undeniable. And it’s not alone. Across India, there are 80 such Ramsar sites, including five newly added sites this year. Tamil Nadu has 16 of them- the state with the higest Ramsar sites in the country.

The Ramsar Convention

With genuine concern about the increasing loss and degradation of wetlands, a treaty was negotiated in the 1960s by countries and non-governmental organisations. The landmark treaty took shape on February 3, 1971, in an Iranian town called Ramsar, where eighteen nations came together to sign the Convention on Wetlands of International Importance, the first modern agreement dedicated to conserving shallow open waters – from lakes, ponds, to coastal fringes on a global scale.

The Ramsar Convention, this treaty established a framework for international cooperation and national action in wetland conservation and their wise use. The Convention, defined 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”.

While the exact extent of wetlands on Earth is unclear, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)- World Conservation Monitoring Centre came up with an estimate of about 570 million hectares (5.7 million sq. km) of wetlands. Of which two per cent are lakes, 30 per cent are bogs (spongy peat deposits), 26 per cent are fens (peat-forming wetlands), 20 per cent are swamps, and 15 per cent are floodplains.

According to Article 2.2 of the Convention, these criteria encompass sites containing representative, rare or unique wetland types, and wetlands of ecological, botanical, zoological, hydrological, and limnological (inland water) importance. Currently, over 2,400 Ramsar sites exist across 172 Contracting Parties. The United Kingdom leads the pack with 175 sites, followed by Mexico with 142. Bolivia boasts the most extensive protected wetland area at 148,000 square kilometres. Canada, Chad, Congo, and Russia have designated over 100,000 square kilometres each for Ramsar protection.

Its importance

Often referred to as the “kidneys of the Earth,” wetlands play a crucial role in regulating water flow and purifying the environment. These ecosystems act as natural filtration systems, trapping sediments and pollutants. Neela Hauz in Delhi, once a dumping ground, is now a constructed wetland that treats sewage water through bioremediation. Beyond water purification, wetlands function as giant sponges, storing excess water during periods of heavy rainfall. This stored water is then slowly released during dry seasons, mitigating the effects of droughts and ensuring a more consistent water supply.

Furthermore, wetlands act as natural buffers against floods. They absorb floodwater and slow its flow, protecting the cities.

Threats loom

Pausing by the Deepor Beel had become a traditional rest stop for me. At one such rest stop, I had an unexpected sight. Men in bright yellow caps, sanitation workers of the city, were engaged in a rescue mission – retrieving a flock of Hargila (Greater Adjutant storks) from the clutches of a garbage dump. The very existence of this garbage dump bordering the Beel struck a discordant note. How can a dumping site find a place right next to the source of livelihood for people and a potent breeding ground for migratory birds?

It felt inherently wrong, a blemish on the beauty that surrounded it.

Another example is the East Kolkata Wetland. A Ramsar site nicknamed the “kidneys of Kolkata”, as it is the world’s only fully functional organic sewage management system which serves as Kolkata’s free sewage remediation work and a natural flood defence for the low-lying city. This peri-urban wetland has shrunk by a staggering 36 per cent in the past three decades, losing over 23,000 sq. km. Encroachments and construction are the main reasons behind this alarming decline.

The Thane Creek Flamingo Sanctuary, a critical habitat for flamingos, is another Ramsar site facing ecological threats. This 26 km creek, bordering Mumbai, Navi Mumbai, and Thane, is India’s first Ramsar site within a city. Unfortunately, the continuous flow of untreated sewage poses a significant danger to this creek.

Culture, faith and spirituality

India’s wetlands transcend the definition of mere bodies of water. Woven into the fabric of communities for generations, these vibrant ecosystems provide not just sustenance but also a platform for shared traditions and values. For instance, the Pulicat lagoon, a Ramsar site, stretches across Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh supports over 50,000 people in nearby fishing villages.

Each year, during a specific Tamil calendar month, these communities unite for a unique festival honouring Kanni, their protector goddess. Rooted in the belief that drumming and chanting rituals invite Kanni’s spirit, the chosen villager ventures into the sea, returning with a symbolic handful of sand. This sand is used to create clay idols, representing local fauna and people, believed to safeguard their lives and livelihoods.

Wetlands also offer economic opportunities for communities, particularly those without access to traditional agricultural land. In Odisha, for example, women expertly weave golden grass (Kaincha) growing abundantly on the banks of Chilika Lake into beautiful baskets, mats, and other handicrafts. This craft employing Self-Help Groups exemplifies how wetlands directly contribute to a better life for many communities.

Conserving a wetland creates a ripple effect in preserving the local biodiversity, livelihood, traditional knowledge, and cultural practices. It simultaneously protects us from floods, provides a potent source of water to residents and maintains the groundwater table.

The very future of India’s vibrant tapestry of wetland-based cultures hangs in the balance. Various other factors threaten the Ramsar sites. Their depletion disrupts the delicate balance between humans and these ecosystems. Traditional practices will also lose their foundation if these wetlands shrink or become polluted. This even threatens the livelihood of locals.

Conserving a wetland creates a ripple effect in conserving local biodiversity as well as in protecting livelihoods, traditional knowledge and cultural practices.