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Wetlands in India: Rapid Decline Demands Immediate Action

Wetlands in India are rapidly disappearing, posing a severe threat to biodiversity and urban ecosystems, necessitating immediate restoration and conservation efforts.

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Wetlands in India

Wetlands in India: Rapid Decline Demands Immediate Action | Photo courtesy: Special arrangement

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Wetlands in India: The Silent Crisis

Delhi, India's vibrant capital renowned for its rich cultural heritage, is grappling with a significant yet underreported environmental challenge—the alarming decline of its wetlands. Once thriving with diverse plant and animal life, these wetlands played a vital role in maintaining ecological balance and offering essential benefits to the city's inhabitants. Today, however, they are disappearing at a disturbing pace, raising serious concerns about the future of Delhi's environment and the well-being of its residents. Not just in Delhi, wetlands in India are facing a crucial existential crisis.

Ramveer Tanwar, an environmentalist famously known as the "Pond Man of India," has been a dedicated advocate for wetland conservation since his student days. Based in Greater Noida, Tanwar launched the "Jal Chaupal" campaign in Gautam Budhha Nagar, Uttar Pradesh, encouraging the community to conserve water and protect natural resources such as ponds, lakes, and wetlands. Alongside a committed group of volunteers, he spearheaded efforts to clean and rejuvenate ponds in the urban villages of Greater Noida. His relentless dedication soon turned into a movement inspiring many others and earned him widespread recognition as the 'Pondman of India.'

In an interview with The Probe, Tanwar emphasised the critical role wetlands in India play in supporting biodiversity and sustaining our ecosystem. He posed a poignant question: "Are we supporting the wetlands that support us?" Tanwar pointed out a prevalent misconception in metropolitan areas, where people believe that cities should be dominated by buildings and apartments, leaving no space for wetlands. He countered this by stating, "This is a fundamental misunderstanding. Many of the major cities we discuss, like Gu

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