Wetlands Day calls to preserve the most threatened ecosystems on Earth

Wetlands are disappearing three times faster than forests and are Earth’s most threatened ecosystem. In just 50 years, since 1970- 35% of the world’s wetlands have been lost.

New Delhi: Today, 2 February 2026, marks the global observance of World Wetlands Day, highlighting the vital role wetlands play for people, nature, and climate resilience.

This year’s theme, “Wetlands and traditional knowledge: Celebrating cultural heritage,” shines a spotlight on the deep connections between wetlands and the indigenous and local communities that have protected them for generations.

World Wetlands Day commemorates the signing of the Convention on Wetlands on 2 February 1971 in Ramsar, Iran, along the shores of the Caspian Sea. The Convention is one of the world’s oldest international environmental agreements and remains the only global treaty focused entirely on a single ecosystem—wetlands.

First celebrated in 1997, World Wetlands Day became a United Nations International Day in 2022, underscoring the growing global recognition of wetlands as essential ecosystems. Today, 172 countries, known as Contracting Parties, work together under the Convention to conserve wetlands and promote their sustainable use.

Wetlands provide critical services, including freshwater supply, flood control, climate regulation, biodiversity conservation, and livelihoods for millions of people worldwide. However, they are among the most threatened ecosystems on Earth, with significant losses recorded over the past century due to drainage, pollution, and unsustainable development.

Wetlands are among the ecosystems with the highest rates of decline, loss and degradation. Indicators of current negative trends in global biodiversity and ecosystem functions,such as rapid human population growth, unsustainable production and consumption and associated technological development, as well as the adverse impacts of climate change.

Wetlands are disappearing three times faster than forests and are Earth’s most threatened ecosystem. In just 50 years, since 1970- 35% of the world’s wetlands have been lost.

Human activities that lead to loss of wetlands include drainage and infilling for agriculture and construction, pollution, overfishing and overexploitation of resources, invasive species and climate change.

There are currently over 2,500 wetlands of international importance around the world. They cover over 2.5 million square kilometers, an area larger than Mexico.

The Convention on Wetlands, that celebrates its 50th Anniversary in 2026, is a treaty that works to reverse wetland loss and degradation worldwide. Discover these fascinating places that need to be protected.

The 2026 theme highlights how traditional and ancestral knowledge systems, passed down through generations, have played a crucial role in safeguarding wetlands. Indigenous practices such as seasonal fishing, sustainable harvesting, water management rituals, and ecosystem monitoring have helped maintain the delicate balance between human needs and natural processes.

By recognising cultural heritage and traditional wisdom, World Wetlands Day 2026 calls for stronger collaboration between governments, scientists, conservation organisations, and local communities. Integrating traditional knowledge with modern science is increasingly recognised as essential for effective wetland conservation, biodiversity protection, and building resilience to climate change.

Events marking the day are being held worldwide, led by the Convention Secretariat and supported by governments, NGOs, youth groups, businesses, media, and local communities. Activities include educational programmes, cultural celebrations, policy dialogues, and wetland restoration initiatives.

As the world faces growing water scarcity, biodiversity loss, and climate impacts, World Wetlands Day 2026 serves as a reminder that protecting wetlands also means respecting the cultures and knowledge systems that have sustained them for centuries