Wetlands are transitional areas, sandwiched between permanently flooded deepwater environments and well-drained uplands. They often contain more plants and animals and produce more organic material than any other water or land area. Aquatic habitats include permanently flooded parts of estuaries and near shore environments like lakes, rivers, lagoons, ponds, etc. Aquatic habitats are also critical to fish and wildlife as well as economically and recreationally valuable to humans.

There are more than 50 definitions of wetland in use throughout the world but the one which is used most widely on an international scale is provided by Ramsar Convention which defines wetlands as “Areas of marsh, fen, peatland or water whether natural or artificial, permanent or temporary, with water that is static or flowing, fresh, brackish or salt, including areas of marine water the depth of which at low tide does not exceed six meters (20 feet)”. Wetlands are both providers and users of freshwater. As freshwater allocation is a challenging issue for maintaining the elusive balance between agricultural, industrial and domestic demands for water, we must emphasize that wetlands need water if they are to maintain their structure and function.

The Convention on Wetlands came into force in Pakistan on November 23, 1976. Pakistan presently has 19 sites designated as Wetlands of International Importance (Ramsar Sites). Many of these Pakistani wetlands have been declared 'Ramsar sites' through the work of IUCN in Pakistan, with 8 of them accepted in this category only in 2001. The wetlands of Pakistan include flood plain wetlands of major river systems and their extensive network of tributaries; saline and temporary wetlands of arid and semi arid expanses inland; coastal system such as lagoons, backwaters and estuaries; mangrove swamps; marine wetlands; and offshore Astola Island in Balochistan.

The Water & Nature Initiative of IUCN Asia demonstrates the ecosystem approach to water management in field projects around the world, supported by projects that develop tailored tools for empowerment, governance, finance, knowledge and learning.

Despite the importance of the range of resources and services which wetlands provide, we have tended to take these for granted. As a result the maintenance of natural wetlands have received low priority in most countries. But even as apathy and ignorance continues to permit conservation of wetlands, people are becoming increasingly aware of the loss of the services wetlands once provided free of charge.

But wetlands have come under natural and human threats (from subsiding or sinking land to draining or filling for new development). Restoring these wetlands and improving aquatic habitats have become imperative to maintaining an ecological balance through effective management practices. If we want to prevent further degradation of this important ecosystem, there is an urgent need to create awareness about their values and functions and their sustainable management can ensure that our wetlands stay healthy and continue to work for us.

Wetlands are for everyone and we need to conserve them for future generations!