Gujarat’s Wetlands: a treasure trove of biodiversity and conservation efforts

Gandhinagar : Gujarat is home to a rich natural heritage that extends beyond its famous wildlife sanctuaries. The state’s vast wetlands play a crucial role in sustaining biodiversity, environmental health, and the economy. Under the guidance of Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel and the leadership of Forest and Environment Minister Mulubhai Bera and Minister of State Mukeshbhai Patel, Gujarat has emerged as the leading state in wetland conservation, accounting for 21% of the total wetland area in India.

The state’s wetlands cover approximately 3.5 million hectares, constituting 17.8% of Gujarat’s geographical area. According to the 2021 Space-Based Observation of Indian Wetlands by the Space Applications Centre-ISRO, Gujarat has a total of 17,613 wetlands spanning 3,499,429 hectares. These wetlands include inland-natural wetlands, inland-human-made wetlands, coastal-natural wetlands, and coastal-human-made wetlands. Creeks dominate 67% of Gujarat’s wetland area, followed by 46.8% marshes, 91.6% salt marshes, and 75.5% salt pans. These diverse wetland ecosystems play a vital role in maintaining ecological balance and supporting various flora and fauna.

Gujarat actively participates in global conservation initiatives by observing World Wetlands Day on February 2, with the 2025 theme set as “Protecting Wetlands for Our Common Future.” Similarly, the state joins in celebrating World Wildlife Day on March 3, organizing awareness campaigns and conservation activities to emphasize the significance of protecting global wildlife and plant species.

The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) has identified 115 wetlands of national importance under the National Wetland Conservation Programme (NWCP). Out of these, Gujarat is home to eight significant wetlands, including Nal Sarovar, Thol Lake, Small Rann of Kutch, Large Rann of Kutch, Nani Kakarad, Wadhwana, Khijadia, and Pariage. Additionally, Gujarat has 19 wetlands recognized for their importance to bird conservation and biodiversity.

India has a total of 85 Ramsar sites, four of which are located in Gujarat. These include Nal Sarovar Bird Sanctuary, Thol Lake Wildlife Sanctuary, Khijadia Wildlife Sanctuary, and Wadhwana Wetland. These sites are internationally recognized for their ecological significance and play a crucial role in maintaining the wetland ecosystem.

Several wetland-based protected areas further enhance Gujarat’s commitment to conservation. These include Marine National Park and Sanctuary, Khijadia Sanctuary, Nal Sarovar Sanctuary, Chhari Dhandh Conservation Reserve, Small Rann of Kutch-Ghudkhar Sanctuary, Large Rann of Kutch-Rann of Kutch Sanctuary, and Porbandar Bird Sanctuary. Additionally, many lesser-known but ecologically vital wetlands, such as Gosabara-Mokar Sagar, Bardasagar, Amipur Dam, Medha Creek, and Vadla Wetland, contribute to the state’s biodiversity.

Gujarat State Wetland Authority (GSWA) oversees wetland conservation in the state, with the Gir Foundation serving as the nodal agency. The foundation is actively involved in multiple conservation initiatives. Under the Save Wetland Campaign, the RSGIS unit has validated 15,201 wetlands, while 458 detailed wetland health assessments have been prepared. The initiative has also registered over 2,000 ‘Wetland Friends’ and conducted 220 wetland-related programs under Mission Life. Additionally, the foundation has conducted a carbon storage assessment of four Ramsar sites in Gujarat and serves as a national knowledge partner, supporting wetland documentation and conservation efforts in Rajasthan, Goa, Telangana, Assam, Meghalaya, and the Union Territories of Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu. To raise awareness and encourage citizen participation in wetland conservation, it has also organized various training sessions and workshops.

Gujarat’s wetlands are a vital part of the state’s environmental heritage, playing a significant role in biodiversity conservation, water regulation, and ecological balance. Through proactive initiatives led by the Gujarat State Wetland Authority and the Gir Foundation, the state is making remarkable progress in preserving these invaluable ecosystems.