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[ Wetlands ]
Did You Know?

February 2 is observed as World Wetlands Day from 1997. The theme this year is"Wetlands: Water, life and culture"

• Wetlands are areas of marsh, fen, peat land 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 meters.
• Wetlands are estimated to cover about 6% of the earth's surface.
• Ramsar Convention on Wetlands in 1971 was the first international convention that drew the attention of world towards the importance of wetlands and the need to conserve them. India is a signatory to this convention and there are six Ramsar sites in India.
• Wetlands contribute as flood controllers ground water rechargers and silt trappers.
• Numerous wetland plants are used by human as food, feed, fibre and fire.
• Wetlands play a crucial role in processing water-borne nutrients and toxic substances and regulate their inflow into open waters, thus acting as filters.
• Wetlands also have a role to play in maintaining the global carbon and Nitrogen cycle.