Experts call for conservation of wetlands to tackle extreme events

'Due to a massive rise in urban land cover and multiple other threats, almost half of the world's 500 important rivers and water bodies, which provide livelihood support to a large number of people across the globe, are being depleted. Additionally, this has caused a direct habitat loss for a number of aquatic species particularly diverse fish and bird species dwelling in brackish as well as freshwaters.'
This was stated by Hammad Naqi Khan, Director General, WWF-Pakistan on World Wetlands Day 2017. He was of the view that wetlands have been made dumping grounds for untreated industrial and domestic waste water, particularly in Sindh. He emphasised the need to take immediate measures for the restoration and protection of wetlands in country so that fragile ecosystems were conserved and natural disasters, particularly floods and droughts, could be tackled efficiently.
The theme for 2017 'Wetlands for Disaster Risk Reduction' aims to raise awareness and highlight the vital role of healthy wetlands in reducing the impacts of extreme events such as floods, droughts and cyclones on communities, and in helping build resilience.
Muhammad Moazzam Khan, Technical Adviser Marine Fisheries, WWF-Pakistan shared that there are five major wetlands along the coastal belt of Pakistan. Of these, the Indus Delta is the largest wetland which is known for its diverse fauna and flora including mangroves. Although the diversion of water from the Indus River for agriculture has reduced the flow of freshwater, it is still an important habitat for a large variety of birds and other animals. It also supports the livelihood of a large number of fishermen who harvest fish and shellfish from rich grounds in the Delta. Due to a decrease in freshwater inflow, coastal lakes like Nurrari and Jhabo lagoons have been converted into hyper saline lagoons. As a result their fauna has considerably changed from freshwater to marine.
Stressing the importance of coastal wetlands, Khan pointed out that these are rich biodiversity hotspots and support important fisheries - a main source of livelihood for coastal communities. 'Healthy wetlands contribute tremendously to disaster risk reduction, poverty reduction, combat climate change, help alleviate food insecurity and restore and promote the sustainable use of ecosystems,' he added.-PR