INTRODUCTION
According to RCS (2019), wetlands are defined globally as those regions that are continuously or periodically submerged in water up to a maximum depth of six meters. Nepal’s wetland hosts 42 globally threatened species (IUCN red list 2002) and are valuable from an economic, ecological, aesthetic, sociocultural, and religious standpoint. They are found in different ecosystems of lowland plains and high mountains, and they provide habitats for a variety of wildlife species. These wetlands serve humankind’s interests and are significant ecosystems. Fishing, rice farming, and gathering wetland goods are among the fundamental tasks carried out by the local population (U Shrestha;2011) According to Turner (1991), wetlands ecosystems make up around 6% of the world’s land area. Because they provide fuel, food, fodder, and water for home, agricultural, and industrial uses, wetlands are among the planet’s most prolific life support systems and have enormous economical value (Kaul, 2003). Wetlands are essential to the Terai’s vast biodiversity (32 animal species, 461 bird species, 9 turtle species, 20 snake species, and 28 fish species). They also help to preserve different subsurface water sources, stop landslides, and manage nutrient loss.
Because of a wide range of human effects, wetland ecosystems are in poor global status and are often degrading at ever-increasing rates, despite their great biodiversity and the importance of their products and services. Numerous wetlands, especially estuaries, deltas, and river flood plains, are particularly affected by human activity (R Bobbink et at,2006).
GLOBAL IMPORTANCE OF NEPAL’S WETLAND
- Habitat for different endangered species like Asiatic wild buffalo, greater one horned rhinoceros, Gangetic dolphin,Swamp deer, Gharial, bullfrog etc.
- Rest place for migratory bird like Demoiselle crane,cinereous vulture, common greenshank, common teal, Eurasian curlew, godwall, great cormorant, greater spotted eagle, imperial eagle, Kentish plover, northern pintail, northern shoveler, Pallas gull and Ruddy shelduck,etc.
- Riverine wetlands: The migratory fishes use Nepal’s riverine wetlands as waterways.
- Genetic material sources: There are numerous commercially developed rice cultivars in use. Three species of wild rice Oryza rufipogon, O. officinales, and O. nivara are found in wetlands. These types have been identified in Kapilvastu’s Ajingara marsh. The wild relative of the rice varieties found in the Terai is Hygroryza aristata. Commercial cultivars could be improved by using the genetic elements from these species (Bhandari, B. B. 2009).
PRESENT SITUATION OF WETLAND
Anthropogenic activities like encroachment, uncontrolled growth, dredging, siltation, pollution, and waste dumping are putting a great deal of pressure on wetlands, which are still being lost and degraded. Wetlands face different dangers and problems than other physiographic zones. While wetlands in the plains and terai confront significant pressures from encroachment, conversion, dredging, fishing, poisoning, eutrophication, and overexploitation, wetlands at high elevations and those from mid-hill face natural concerns such siltation and erosion. Urban wetlands have been under threat from pollution, conversion, and over-harvesting of water supplies. The need to protect these priceless resources is now more important than ever because of the growing strain that wetlands are under as a result of population increase (Khatri, T. B. 2013).
LOCAL PARTICIPATION FOR WETLAND CONSERVATION
It is widely acknowledged that community involvement is essential to the preservation and administration of wetland resources (Williams 2002). According to Andrade and Rhodes (2012), community participation is essential for long-term conservation since it increases compliance with resource conservation. If local residents do not recognize the importance of wetlands, it will be difficult to conserve them in developing nations where reducing poverty and ensuring food security take precedence over environmental preservation (Wood et al. 2002).
Table 1: Issues and conservation practices adopted in different wetland sites of Nepal
| Wetland sites | Issues | Conservation methods | Advantages |
| Beesh hazar lake | Felling of trees Overgrazing Drainage Fill-in Vegetation succession | Local are keen to conserve and protect the resources from uncontrolled human encroachment and intervention | Ecotourism , recreational activities can encourage the people participation |
| Ghodagodi lake | Felling of trees Overgrazing Drainage Siltation Construction | Build cattle sheds an d cottages near the temple | Fishing harvesting lotus, collection of fodder Recreation, watering domestic animals |
Karnali floodpain | Human encroachment deforestation | Drift wood collection, fishing panning(extract gold from motes found on the bank of river ) | |
Halkhoria daha | Low water level Vegetation succession Grazing and watering Siltation Pumping out of water | Stop practice of contract fishing, banning introduction of exogenous fish. | Pumping out water, sedimentation |
Lumbini | Water retention Lack of planting | Local willing to cooperate with the trust in establishing an area with natural vegetation enriched with biodiversity Interest in planting trees | Blue bulls depredate their crop field and destroy the grains and crops |
Source: IUCN, Nepal
Limitations and Gaps in Wetland Management
- Absence of a national action plan and policy for managing and conserving wetlands
- Activities related to resource management do not incorporate environmental considerations. This issue in the past is a reflection of the public’s and government officials’ lack of understanding of the environmental implications of development initiatives. This in turn indicates a deficiency in financing, manpower, technical know-how, and resource knowledge
- A strict sectoral strategy with little cross-sectoral collaboration and plannin
- Sustainable resource management practices are not promoted by competing priorities of several resource management organizations with duties and operations in the same locations.
- An unclear mandate that leads to overlapping activity of various kinds.
- Absence of thorough laws and enforcement systems for wetland management.
- No monitoring system or data bank.
