Wetlands Shrinking across Nepal Amid Encroachment and Pollution

Nepal’s wetlands are shrinking rapidly due to encroachment, pollution and poorly planned development, with officials warning that some water bodies have already disappeared.

The growing threats came into focus as Nepal observed World Wetlands Day earlier this week with various programmes under the theme “Wetlands and Traditional Knowledge: Respecting Cultural Heritage.” The day is marked globally on February 2 to draw attention to the need to protect wetlands, which are increasingly affected by climate change and human activities.

Wetlands include marshes, lakes, ponds, rivers, streams, waterfalls and paddy fields. They are rich natural areas that support many plant and animal species and also provide water, food and livelihoods for people.

In Nepal, both the size and quality of wetlands are declining. Hari Bhadra Acharya, information officer at the Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation, said unplanned construction, rising population near wetlands, industrial pollution and the dumping of waste directly into rivers and wetlands have added to the problem.

Climate change has further worsened the situation, bringing irregular rainfall, floods, landslides and long dry periods, he said. Other challenges include illegal encroachment driven by poverty, overuse of wetland resources, changes in traditional farming practices, invasive plant species, and the heavy use of chemical fertilisers and pesticides.

World Wetlands Day marks the signing of the Ramsar Convention in 1971 in Ramsar, Iran, which aims to conserve wetlands of international importance. So far, 172 countries have joined the convention, with 2,422 wetlands listed worldwide. Nepal became a party to the convention in 1988 after Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve was listed as its first Ramsar site.

Nepal currently has 10 Ramsar-listed wetlands, including Koshi Tappu, Ghodaghodi Lake Area, Jagadishpur Reservoir, Beeshazari and nearby lakes, Rara Lake, Phoksundo Lake, Gosainkunda and Gokyo lakes, Mai Pokhari, and lakes in the Pokhara Valley. These wetlands cover a total area of 60,561 hectares.

Director General of the Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation, Dr Buddhi Sagar Paudel, said wetlands are vital for biodiversity. “In Nepal, 172 threatened plant and animal species depend on wetlands,” he said, adding that 193 bird species and many native plants rely on these ecosystems.

Wetlands cover about five percent of Nepal’s land area. According to IUCN Nepal, 163 wetlands are located in the Tarai, while 79 are found in the hills and mountains.

Paudel said wetlands also help reduce the impact of climate change and land degradation and are becoming popular destinations for eco-tourism, especially birdwatching.

Meanwhile, Spokesperson for the Ministry of Forests and Environment, Bishal Ghimire, said the government is working with provincial and local governments on wetland conservation programmes. He said awareness campaigns and community-based initiatives are being carried out to promote sustainable use.

Nepal has introduced several laws and policies to protect wetlands, including constitutional provisions, the Water Resources Act, Environment Protection Act, National Wetland Policy and the National Ramsar Strategy and Action Plan.

Often called the “kidneys of nature,” wetlands help clean water, regulate climate and maintain environmental balance. Experts say stronger coordination and public awareness are essential to protect these fragile ecosystems. -- RSS