On February 2, 2026, the world marked World Wetlands Day 2026 under the theme, ‘Wetlands and traditional knowledge: Celebrating cultural heritage’. The Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules, 2017 provide a framework for identifying, notifying, and managing wetlands through authorities to restrict damaging activities. The Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) framework aims to maintain the ecological integrity of coastal wetlands, while Ramsar site designation offers global recognition and responsibility. Urban wetlands are expected to store floodwater, receive storm runoff, absorb sewage, and remain clean and biodiverse, often without legal buffers. Quiz |On World Wetlands DayGrowing pollution results in the eutrophication of water bodies when untreated sewage, industrial effluents, agricultural runoff, and solid waste are pushed into wetlands.

Source: The Hindu February 03, 2026 05:39 UTC