It is indeed indicative of the state of affairs that there is no comprehensive data on the total wetland area in the state. “Caring for wetlands - an answer to climate change,” is the message for World Wetlands Day this year. It marks the anniversary of the signing of the Convention on Wetlands of International Importance (Ramsar Convention) in Ramsar, Iran, on February 2, 1971.
* This year’s activities will focus on the impact of climate change on wetlands and the role that wetlands play in reducing the effects of climate change.
* Wetlands are important habitats as they protect the shoreline from storm surges, serve as a nursery for fish and protect the coral reef from sedimentation and pollution from land. Rising sea- levels and increases in temperature will have a significant impact on the plants and animal species that inhabit them, and this will reduce the amount of protection wetlands can provide for other habitats such as coral reefs.
* Of the total 1,712 wetlands declared as protected Ramsar sites, 25 are in India and three are in Kerala-Vembanad-kol, Ashtamudi and Sasthamkota.
* Kottuli and Kadalundi in Kozhikode districts have been included in the National Wetland Conservation programme of the Ministry of Environment and Forests.
* According to the data available, of the 1,27,930 hectares (2002 figures) almost 60 percent has been degraded through encroachment and land filling. Yet another major wetland is paddyfield. Once it covered 8.75 hectares, now only 2.85 hectares remain as the rest of them are getting filled for non-agricultural activities.
* Water conservation bodies like freshwater ponds and canals which are the replenishing centres for groundwater are almost non-existent. It is said that the production capacity of wetlands will account for almost Rs 8,000 cr which is almost equivalent to the state’s annual budget.
Source : http://www.expressbuzz.com/edition/story.aspx?Title=Shrinking+spheres+of+life&artid=XkkhZGidcqE=&SectionID=1ZkF/jmWuSA=&MainSectionID=fyV9T2jIa4A=&SectionName=X7s7i|xOZ5Y=&SEO=
* This year’s activities will focus on the impact of climate change on wetlands and the role that wetlands play in reducing the effects of climate change.
* Wetlands are important habitats as they protect the shoreline from storm surges, serve as a nursery for fish and protect the coral reef from sedimentation and pollution from land. Rising sea- levels and increases in temperature will have a significant impact on the plants and animal species that inhabit them, and this will reduce the amount of protection wetlands can provide for other habitats such as coral reefs.
* Of the total 1,712 wetlands declared as protected Ramsar sites, 25 are in India and three are in Kerala-Vembanad-kol, Ashtamudi and Sasthamkota.
* Kottuli and Kadalundi in Kozhikode districts have been included in the National Wetland Conservation programme of the Ministry of Environment and Forests.
* According to the data available, of the 1,27,930 hectares (2002 figures) almost 60 percent has been degraded through encroachment and land filling. Yet another major wetland is paddyfield. Once it covered 8.75 hectares, now only 2.85 hectares remain as the rest of them are getting filled for non-agricultural activities.
* Water conservation bodies like freshwater ponds and canals which are the replenishing centres for groundwater are almost non-existent. It is said that the production capacity of wetlands will account for almost Rs 8,000 cr which is almost equivalent to the state’s annual budget.
Source : http://www.expressbuzz.com/edition/story.aspx?Title=Shrinking+spheres+of+life&artid=XkkhZGidcqE=&SectionID=1ZkF/jmWuSA=&MainSectionID=fyV9T2jIa4A=&SectionName=X7s7i|xOZ5Y=&SEO=
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