Earth’s kidneys
Wetlands are one of the most useful natural resource systems of the earth. In India, we have wetlands everywhere, from Ladakh to Kerala and Rajasthan to Manipur.
Wetlands are biodiversity hotspots and home to aquatic flora and fauna. They are a haven for many migratory species. The theme for this year’s World Wetlands Day is ‘Wetland’s action for people and nature showing the actions required to ensure the conservation and sustenance of wetlands’.
Wetlands perform the tasks of sedimentation, storage, ion exchange, nutrient uptake, absorption, adsorption, bacterial and fungal dissemination, and nitrification. They filter, clean and store water performing the function of a kidney for other ecosystems. They are like sponges, holding flood waters and keeping rivers at normal levels. They absorb wind and tidal forces and control soil erosion.
Some of the wetlands in India are the Astamudi Wetland in Kerala, Bhitarkanika Mangroves in Orissa, Keoladeo National Park in Rajasthan, Kolleru Lake in Andhra Pradesh, Nalsarovar Bird Sanctuary, Gujarat, Point Calimere Wildlife and Bird Sanctuary, Tamil Nadu, Tsomoriri in Jammu & Kashmir, Pong Dam Lake in Himachal Pradesh, Deepor Beel in Assam, Kabartal Wetland in Bihar, Sultanpur National Park in Haryana and the Sunderbans Wetlands in West Bengal.
Do you know the wetlands of India? Well, brush up your knowledge by doing this simple word search. The clue lies in the name of the state.