World Wetlands Day 2018

Wetlands are land areas that are flooded with water, either seasonally or permanently. Urban wetlands are found in and around cities or their suburbs. They include rivers and their flood plains, lakes, and swamps as well as coastal variants such as salt water marshes, mangroves and coral reefs.
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World Wetlands Day originated as a result of the adoption of the Convention on Wetlands on the 2nd February, 1971 and to this date it has marked a 47-year milestone of progress to protect, manage and restore wetlands. The convention was signed in the Iranian city of Ramsar on the shores of the Caspian Sea which is home to the Ramsar Secretariat, the main body responsible for its fruition. Over the years, the Secretariat has taken the responsibility of providing outreach materials to help raise public awareness about the importance and value of wetlands. The theme for 2018, agreed upon by the present Ramsar Committee, is:
                                             "Wetlands for a Sustainable Urban Future."
 
So, this brings the question. Why are these wetlands important? Specifically to the urban setting. And why should they be important to us? Especially those of us who live in the city. These may be some of your questions.
Well, wetlands are important for a lot of reasons. That is:
1. They reduce flooding
2. They replenish our drinking water
3. They filter waste and improve water quality (hence contributing to supply of drinking water)
4. They improve urban air quality
5. They enable people to earn a living
6. They promote human well-being
For additional information on wetlands and the way forward to their conservation, visit our Resources page.

Resource material sourced from the Ramsar's Official Website to educate viewers and raise awareness of wetlands and their importance.
If you like, you can visit their website by clicking the link below:
http://www.worldwetlandsday.org/

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