Glaw Lake in the Arunachal Pradesh state has become the newest addition to the list of Indian Ramsar Sites, which means yet another feather in the cap of conservation of wetlands in the country, raising the tally of the Ramsar sites in India to 101. It is the first-ever Ramsar site in Arunachal Pradesh and is definitely a significant step in the conservation of ecologically valuable wetlands in India.
The Glaw Lake, situated in the beautiful state of Arunachal Pradesh, is representative of the rich ecology of one of the most bio-diverse states in India. Arunachal Pradesh is well-known for its dense forests, high altitudes, lakes, rivers and abundant wildlife. While possessing all these valuable aspects of nature, the wetlands of Arunachal Pradesh have always lacked proper recognition at the international level as compared to other wetlands of India.
The Ramsar Convention, developed in 1971 in the city of Ramsar, Iran, is an international treaty aimed at the conservation and sustainable use of wetlands. Wetlands are one of the most productive ecosystems in the world. They serve as homes for wild life, breeding grounds for migratory birds, regulators of the water flow, replenishers of the groundwater and help communities that rely on fresh water for their living. The recognition under Ramsar includes identification of wetlands that have ecological, biological, hydrological or socio-economic values.
In the case of Glaw Lake the recognition becomes especially important because wetlands in the Himalayas play important role in terms of environmental function. Lakes and the surrounding wetlands in the mountain regions can serve as natural water reserves and assist in the maintenance of hydrological systems downstream from the lake. They can also be homes for special plants, water inhabitants and birds inhabiting the high altitudes.
The recognition is not just a title awarded internationally. The listing of the wetland into the Ramsar List opens the door to more scientific observation, planning and management of the wetland.
This success will also help to further India's larger wetland conservation agenda. India became a party to the Ramsar Convention way back in 1981 and since then, there has been substantial growth in the number of internationally recognized wetlands in India. The list of India's Ramsar wetlands includes a wide variety of ecosystems including coastal lagoons and mangroves, floodplains and freshwater lakes to high altitude wetlands.
The success in reaching 101 Ramsar sites shows that there has been an increased focus on wetlands under the environmental conservation program of India. But mere expansion in the list of such sites is not sufficient. Any conservation effort needs to protect the ecological character of these wetlands. There may be various threats to wetland ecosystems in the form of pollution, destruction, invasive species and climate change even after international recognition.
For Arunachal Pradesh, this declaration would then mark an entry point into considering a more concerted state-wide effort to preserve wetlands. Preservation of the wetland will involve striking a balance between ecological considerations and those of the local community, ensuring that development activities do not negatively affect the ecological value of the wetland.
The listing of the Glaw Lake by the Ramsar Convention goes beyond adding another number to the list of India's wetlands. This is because the listing is a pointer to the fact that India's northeastern landscapes include globally significant ecosystems which need to be conserved through scientific and community efforts. As India counts its 101st Ramsar wetland, the Glaw Lake becomes a symbol of Arunachal Pradesh's natural heritage.
Team Yuva Aaveg-
Adarsh Tiwari
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