TABLE OF CONTENTS

       

Introduction Definition Distribution of wetlands in Assam Functions of wetlands Threats to wetlands Conservation Programmes and Projects Conclusion Bibliography

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INTRODUCTION
Wetlands are areas where water is the primary factor controlling the environment and the associated plant and animal life. They occur where the water table is at or near the surface of the land, or where the land is covered by water. Once treated as transitional habitats or seral stages in succession from open water to land, the wetlands are now considered to be distinct ecosystems with specific ecological characteristics, functions and values. Wetlands, natural and manmade, freshwater or brackish, provide numerous ecological services. However, unsustainable use of wetlands without reckoning of their assimilative capacity constitutes major threat to the conservation and management of these vital biodiversity rich areas. Thus, restricting the prospects of future generation to utilize the benefits of the ecosystem services provided.

DEFINITION
According to most widespread definition, wetlands are defined as: lands transitional between terrestrial and aquatic eco-systems where the water table is usually at or near the surface or the land is covered by shallow water. Under the Ramsar international wetland conservation treaty, wetlands are defined as follows:


Article 1.1: "...wetlands are 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." Article 2.1: "[Wetlands] may incorporate riparian and coastal zones adjacent to the wetlands, and islands or bodies of marine water deeper than six metres at low tide lying within the wetlands".

DISTRIBUTION OF WETLANDS IN ASSAM

State Level Distribution
Wetland Class Wetland Type No Area (ha) Percent of total area of natural wetlands 15.30 15.27 23.15 42.91 96.63 2.63 0.74 3.34 100.0

Natural Wetland

Lake/Pond Ox-bow lake/Cut-off meander Waterlogged(Seasonal) Swamp/Marsh Total

690 861 1125 712 3388 10 115 125 3513

15494.00 15460.60 23431.50 43433.50 97819.60 2662.50 749.50 3412.0 101231.60

Man-made Wetland

Reservoirs Tanks Total Grand Total

District-wise area of wetlands in Assam

S.N.(alphabetic order) 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 Total District Barpeta Bangaigaon Cachar Darrang Dhemaji Dhubri Dibrugarh Goalpara Golaghat Hailakandi Jorhat Kamrup Karbi-Anglong Karimganj Kokrajhar Lakhimpur Morigaon Nagaon N.C. Hills Nalbari Sibsagar Sonitpur Tinsukia Number 97 100 340 103 139 233 86 165 330 47 109 352 77 70 85 151 183 379 10 68 109 206 74 3513 Area(ha) 3301.00 3158.50 7188.00 3515.50 3960.00 6459.70 2752.50 3832.50 5467.50 840.0 2108.50 11407.0 897.0 5719.50 1578.40 3033.50 11658.00 11295.50 2552.50 1988.00 2135.00 3651.00 2732.50 101231.60

FUNCTIONS OF WETLANDS
Wetlands are among the most productive ecosystems. They directly or indirectly support millions of people and provide goods and services to them. Various goods and services provided by wetlands are as follows: Support all life forms through extensive food webs. Habitat to aquatic flora and fauna, as well as numerous species of birds, including migratory species. Water purification. Floods mitigation. Ground water recharging. Provide drinking water, fish, fodder, fuel, etc. Comprise an important resource for sustainable tourism, recreation and cultural heritage. Stabilization of local climate. Source of livelihood to local people. Genetic reservoir for various species of plants (especially rice).

THREATS TO THE WETLANDS

The state of Assam comprises around 1,00,000 hectares of wetlands, the largest in the northeastern region of the country. This is also more than double of the wetlands in neighbouring West Bengal which has 42,500 hectares of wetland. These water systems help mankind in various ways, such as improving the quality of water, conservation of bio-diversity and also providing livelihood for the rural populace. But ironically most of the wetlands of Assams flood plains of the two major rivers the Brahmaputra and the Barak - are degrading both for natural reasons and most often man-made hazards.
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The extensive and uncontrolled growth of water hyacinth and the raising of dykes and embankments along the river banks are thought to be the main causes of the deteriorating condition of these wetlands. Heavy siltations of the wetlands have lead to the shrinkage in size and reduce in depth. Another alarming cause is rampant human settlements, industrial developments and other economic activities that disturb the ecological balance and lead to the loss of these wetlands. E.g. Silsako Beel, at Hengerabari, in the heart of Guwahati is being destroyed by the State Government itself. According to the local people, till the early 1980s, the Beel comprised an area of 200 hectacres. It has now shrunk to almost half its original size and is feared it will vanish in no time. The reason is, it is being filled up for building quarters for the officers and other government buildings. What is worse, excess flood waters from a large area of southeast Guwahati flow into the Beel. So this may create new flood problems in the area. Due to encroachment and siltation in the Deepor Beel at the western end of Guwahati, which was once a vast wetland of 10 sq. km., has shrunk over the years. Soil erosion is also a cause of the disappearing wetlands.e.g. A wetland, Majuli, which is a hotspot for flora and endangered avifauna species including migratory birds is under threat due to extensive soil erosion.

CONSERVATION PROGRAMMES AND PROJECTS

The various programmes and projects made to conserve the wetlands are:
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Legal framework- As of now there is no specific legal framework for wetland conservation, management and their wise use. Draft regulatory framework for conservation and management of wetlands is being finalized to be notified under the Environment(Protection) Act, 1986. At present conservation and wise use of wetlands is being ensured through following legal intstruments:  Legislation- Indian Forest Act,1927; forest(Conservation) Act, 1980;Wildlife(Protection) Act; Water(Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act,1974; Water Cess Act,1977; Environment(Protection) Act, 1986; Biological Diversity Act, 2002; and their respective amendments.  Policies- National Environment Policy, 2006; National Conservation Strategy and Policy Statement on Environment and Development, 1992; National Forest Policy, 1988.  Plans- National Biodiversity Action Plan, 2008. National Wetlands Conservation Programme- The Government of India has been implementing the National Wetlands Conservation Programme(NWCP) in close collaboration with the State/UT Governments since the year 1985-86. Under the programme, 115 wetlands(Annexure ) have been identified till now by the Ministry which require urgent conservation and management interventions. International Efforts(Ramsar Convention on Wetlands)- The Convention on Wetlands, signed in Ramsar, Iran, in 1971, is an international treaty which provides the framework for national action and international cooperation for the conservation and wise use of wetlands

and their resources. There are presently 158 Contracting Parties to the Convention with 1758 wetlands of International Importance. Deepor Beel of Assam is included as one of the Ramsar sites out of 30 Ramsar sites in India. It was designated as a Ramsar site in 2002. Non Governmental Organizations are also instrumental in creating awareness and implementing projects for the preservation of the wetlands. One such NGO is the Aranyak which was established in 1989 in India. It has a project known as the Deepor Beel Community Conservation Project for its conservation. The project was designed to reduce the anthropogenic pressure on the wetland by providing for alternative and diversified means of livelihood to the people living along the fringe villages. The purpose of the project is to set up some community run Self Help Groups(SHGs) to strengthen their livelihood options through diverse means and gain their support in the conservation of Deepor Beel as wetland ecosystem.

CONCLUSION
Even after the implementation of the various Acts and Projects it is not enough for the conservation of the wetlands. The people of Assam should be aware of the economic and ecologic importance of the wetlands and more importantly a place of heritage and thus take an active part in conservation activities.

BIBLIOGRAPHY
     National Wetland Conservation Programme Guidelines for Conservation and Management in India Ministry of Environment and Forests, Government of India. Dr. Anil Kumar Goswami, Wetlands: The unique gift of water eco-systems, WWF-India, Guwahati. North East Centre for Environmental Research and Development. Hindustantimes, Assam Plan to save 3,513 wetlands. Asif Ibrahim, Wetlands of Assam, Struggling for Existence.