Page 68 - Mann Ki Baat January, 2023

add more wetlands making the the country. Conversion of
number 75 as on February 2023. wetlands for crop cultivation,
This covers an area of 13,26,677 water demand for domestic
hectares, 4.9% of the landmass use, draining industrial waste,
of the country, the highest hydrologic alteration, increased
number of Ramsar sites in Asia. nutrient load, alteration of
Among Indian states, Tamil upper catchment zone, the
Nadu holds the record for the introduction of invasive species
highest number with 14 Ramsar and changing climate are the
sites followed by Uttar Pradesh main factors affecting wetlands
with 10 Ramsar sites. today.
As much as there are Though challenges do exist,
positives, all is not well for the the opportunities outweigh
wetlands of India. Though the challenges and India has
wetlands are useful to many always been the world leader
living creatures, they are also in showing how ecological
one of the most vulnerable restorations can be done in
ecosystems in the world simple ways. One such success
with constant pressure from story is the revival of Chilika Lake,
anthropogenic activities. This Odisha. The lake supports some
development has impacted its of the largest congregations of
natural resources, especially migratory birds in the country.
th
wetlands. India is the 5 largest However, it was placed on the
economy in the world with a GDP Montreux Record in 1993 due
growth of 6.8% in 2022. India’s to siltation and sedimentation
agricultural sector contributes resulting in choking the mouth
to 20.19% of the entire GDP of of the lake. However, due to
the nation and this has direct the rehabilitation efforts taken
pressure on the wetlands of by the administration, the lake

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