Wetlands are disappearing 3x faster than forests. In just 50 years, we’ve lost 35% of the world’s wetlands.
Today the world comes together to celebrate World Wetlands Day, a day dedicated to raising global awareness about the vital role of wetlands in sustaining life on Earth.
February 02 marks the anniversary of the Convention on Wetlands (Ramsar Convention) signed in Iran on 2 February 1971, a global treaty dedicated to wetland protection.
This year’s theme for world wetlands day is “Protecting Wetlands for Our Common Future,” emphasizing the urgent need to safeguard these critical ecosystems for the countless benefits or ecosystem services that they provide humanity.
These ecosystems are important for biodiversity, water purification, and climate regulation. The day is observed to raise awareness about their significance and encourage efforts to preserve these crucial ecosystems for future generations.
In her Message, Dr Musonda Mumba, Secretary General of the Convention on Wetlands said, “World Wetlands Day 2025 underscores the need for collaboration and foresight as we build a future wherein all people, everywhere, can continue to benefit from the life-sustaining services that wetlands provide”.
“By valuing and protecting wetlands today – and by inspiring one another in this united effort – we better ensure our common future and wellbeing” she added.
India’s Wetlands and its Importance
India is one of the Contracting Parties to Ramsar Convention, signed in Ramsar, Iran, in 1971. India signed it on 1st Feb, 1982. There are 89 Ramsar sites in India as of january 2025. These are wetlands deemed to be of “international importance” under the Ramsar Convention.
India has added 47 wetlands in ramsar sites in the last three years taking the total tally to 89. The surface-area covered by Ramsar Sites are around 13,32,746.24 hectares. Tamil Nadu has the highest number of Ramsar Sites in India with 20 Ramsar Sites.
Globally, there are 2,529 such designated wetlands. India has the highest number of such Ramsar wetlands in Asia and third highest in the world after the UK (176) and Mexico (144).
According to The Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules of 2017, the Indian government’s definition of wetlands does not include river channels, paddy fields, or other areas utilized for commercial activities.
According To WWF-India, wetlands are one of the most threatened of all ecosystems in India. Loss of vegetation, salinization, excessive inundation, water pollution, invasive species, excessive development and road building, have all damaged the country’s wetlands.
World Wetlands Day 2025: History
On 30 August 2021 the UN General Assembly adopted Resolution 75/317 that established 2 February as World Wetlands Day. World Wetlands Day, celebrated to mark the anniversary of the Ramsar Convention which was signed in 1971 in Ramsar, Iran. This important treaty focused on protecting wetlands and using them wisely.
World Wetlands Day 2025 is of particular significance, as it coincides with the 15th Meeting of the Conference of the Contracting Parties to the Convention on Wetlands (COP15).
Every three years, representatives of the governments of each of the Contracting Parties meet to facilitate crucial discussions on the conservation and sustainable use of wetlands and to agree on a work program for the next three years.
Zimbabwe is the global conservation arena for COP15 – scheduled for 23-31 July 2025 in Victoria Falls under the same theme as World Wetlands Day 2025.