WETLAND

A wetland is a distinct ecosystem that is flooded by water, either permanently (for years or
decades) or seasonally (for weeks or months). Flooding results in oxygen-free processes
prevailing, especially in the soils. The primary factor that distinguishes wetlands from terrestrial
land forms or water bodies is the characteristic vegetation of aquatic plants, adapted to the
unique anoxic hydric soils. Wetlands are considered among the most biologically diverse of all
ecosystems, serving as home to a wide range of unique plant and animal species. Methods for
assessing wetland functions, wetland ecological health, and general wetland condition have been
developed for many regions of the world. These methods have contributed to wetland
conservation partly by raising public awareness of the functions some wetlands provide.

Present Scenario of Wetlands of International Importance in Nepal

Nepal has more than 30 years history of Wetlands of International Importance with the
declaration of Koshi Tappu as the first Ramsar site of the country on 17 th December 1987. With
the declaration of Lake Clusters of Pokhara Valley on 2 nd February 2016, Nepal now has a total
10 Wetlands of International Importance. Beeshazari & Associated Lakes, Ghodaghodi Lake
area and Jagadishpur Reservoir were designated as Ramsar site in 13 th August, 2003. Likewise,
Gosainkunda, Gokyo, Rara and Phoksundo were listed in 23rd September, 2007. Mai Pokhari
being listed in 20th October, 2008 completes the list. The Ramsar Sites of Nepal are distributed
throughout the nation in all three geographical regions. High Himalayas, Midhills and Terai. A
total of 60,561 hectares has been designated as Wetland of International Importance which is
0.024% of the total surface of designated sites. Out of 14,718,100 hectares (total area of
country), a total 819,277 hectares is covered by wetlands in various forms like lake, river, ponds,
reservoirs and other marshy lands. Out of 819,277 hectares areas of wetlands, a total 60,561
hectares is enlisted as Ramsar Site.

IMPORTANCE
1. They are wildlife resting places and nurseries. Many amphibians and fish begin their
life in wetland ecosystems. Some live their entire life cycle in a wetland.
2. They are nesting sites. Many birds build their nests and raise their young in wetlands.
Ecologists recognize many wetlands as internationally crucial habitat for the conservation
of migratory birds. Recently, scientists have recognized wetlands as important feeding
spots of many bat species due to the abundance of insect populations.
3. They provide a feeding ground for a large number of animal populations. Wetlands
are comparable to rainforests and coral reefs both also highly productive. Wetlands are
‘biological supermarkets’ producing large volumes of food attracting many animal
species.
4. Wetlands are an amazing water filtration system. Plants and root systems slow down
water flow allowing sediments and many chemical particles to drop down to the wetland
bottom. Leaves and roots absorb nutrient waste. Other waste materials are trapped by
the soil and broken down by the microorganisms that live there. So, when the water
moves from the wetland to open lakes or water bodies, it is much cleaner.
5. Wetlands hold vast quantities of water. They act like sponges. Wetlands soak up lots
of water and hold it. Melting snow and rain is soaked up and released gradually into
nearby water bodies and ground water. Water levels in streams and rivers are kept higher
during dry summers and early fall by this gradual release of wetland water.
6. Wetland control and reduce flooding. Because of the spongy nature of wetlands, they
absorb tremendous amounts of water reducing floodwaters during snow melt and heavy
storms. Trees, root mats, and other wetland vegetation slows the speed of floodwater.
These waters are then distributed more evenly over the floodplain.
7. Wetlands protect shorelines from storm damage. Coastal wetlands slow down waves
by absorbing wave energy. In this way, shorelines are buffered from damaging
hurricanes and tropical storms.
8. Wetlands can help solve our climate problem. Wetlands have a huge ability to store
carbon. Because of their ability to store water and modify flow rate, they are critical for
coastal areas to survive changes related to global warming.
9. Wetlands produce a number of commercially important products. Fish, shellfish,
blueberries, cranberries, timber, and wild rice are all harvested from wetlands.
 10. Wetlands provide a place for people to explore a beautiful, unique ecosystem and
reconnect with nature.

RAMSAR CONVENTION OBJECTIVE AND RATIONALE

The Convention on Wetlands of International Importance especially as Waterfowl Habitat-

commonly referred to as the Ramsar Convention from its place of adoption in Iran in 1971 –was
the first of the modern global intergovernmental treaties on conservation and wise use of natural
resources.

Objective

1) Wise use of wetlands

The wise use of wetlands is defined as “the maintenance of their ecological character, achieved
through the implementation of ecosystem approaches, within the context of sustainable
development”.

2) The List of Wetlands of International Importance

Another commitment is for a Party to designate at least one wetland at the time of accession for
inclusion in the “Ramsar List” and promote its conservation, and in addition to continue to
“designate suitable wetlands within its territory” for the List.

3) International cooperation

Contracting parties agree to consult with other Contracting Parties about implementation of the
Convention, especially in regard to transboundary wetlands, shared water systems and shared
species.

“Wetlands and Tourism” recognizing the important role that tourism can play in the conservation
of wetlands. Wetlands, known as “simsar” in Nepali, are unique and important places being
home to some of the richest biodiversity on the planet.
Nepal has several wetland ecosystems of global significance, and 2.6 per cent of its land mass is
covered by wetlands, including water bodies, of different sizes and characteristics. Wetlands
have important recreational, aesthetic, historical, scientific and cultural values alongside the
direct use values provided to millions of poor people around the world. They are increasingly
becoming important destinations for tourists, especially those interested in wildlife and nature-
based tourism.

The wetlands in the Tarai areas are surrounded by a large and predominantly poor population
who rely directly on resources from the land. The wetlands provide numerous goods and services
that have a social or economic value, not only to the local population living in its periphery but
also to communities living outside the wetland area and to the global population. For example, a
recent study by Bird Conservation Nepal (the BirdLife International Partner in Nepal) with
support from the Darwin Initiative has revealed that nature-based tourism attributed to KTWR is
the purpose of visit for more than 90 percent of the visitors to the site. More than 450
international visitors toured Koshi Tappu during 2010-11, and the annual value of this was
estimated at US$ 121,000.

However, many wetlands in Nepal are under great pressure from damaging land use practices,
pollution, invasion of alien species, human encroachment and increased sedimentation, resulting
in degradation of the habitats. One way to alleviate this pressure could be to engage local people
in expanding sustainable tourism in the wetlands, which would result in greater revenues to the
parks and reserves and employment opportunities. To achieve this, there is a need for
infrastructure development for accommodation and other amenities to attract more foreign and
domestic sightseers.

There are also pristine wetlands such as Rara, Gokyo and Phoksundo which have a high potential
for ecotourism. The role of the private sector in the tourism industry is crucial to promote such
special tourism products and provide wilderness experiences to visitors. The lakes are also
important places for migratory and resident birds. The government of Nepal has identified bird
watching as one of the special tourism experiences that Nepal can offer, and this activity is
increasingly becoming popular across important bird areas.

Ensuring well-managed tourism practices in and around wetlands and educating tourists and
local people on the value of wetlands contributes to their health and the long-term benefits that
wetlands provide to people. Unsustainable tourism development may bring short-term benefits
but long-term losses to wetland health, compromising biodiversity and ecosystem services. Thus,
“wise use” and management of the wetlands are imperative to maintain the ecological integrity
and the benefits we derive into the future. (Gurung is chief executive officer of Bird
Conservation Nepal.

Tourism is a sector that can contribute to the economic, environmental, and also social growth of
a region or country at large. At the same time, it can also adversely affect the growth. If the
negative outcomes of tourism are not allowed to outweigh the economic benefits, then it can
keep good balance between its beneficial outcomes and investments made towards tourism. Not
all impacts of tourism are overt. They are often indirect and assessed by the judgement of the
observer.

How tourism impacts economy, environment, and society?

Economic Impacts of Tourism

Positive Economic Impacts of Tourism
 Inbound tourism helps to generate revenue from foreign shores.
 Inbound and domestic tourism create job opportunities.
 Inbound and domestic tourism stimulate the development of infrastructure.
 It generates opportunities for small scale local businesses.

Negative Economic Impacts of Tourism

 Outbound tourism creates economic leakage.
 All types of tourism create a sense of dependency on the customer or economic recession.
 It can also promote parallel economies.
 The revenue earned from the tourism business seldom is beneficial to the local population
if the destination has accommodation provided by international hotels.

Environmental Impacts of Tourism

Positive Impacts of Tourism on Environment
 It promotes investment in conservation of natural habitats.
  It thus in turn, contributes to the stability of the ecosystem.
 In developing countries, it discourages deforestation and over-fishing in large water
bodies.
 It contributes to creating awareness of the value of environment for humans.

Positive Impacts of Tourism on Environment

 It promotes vandalism and littering.
 It makes way for destruction of wild life and vegetation.
 It invites air, and water pollution.
 It creates a large carbon footprint.
 It creates a sense of dependency on the natural resources.

Social Impacts of Tourism

Positive Impacts of Tourism on Society
 The infrastructure development also benefits the local population.
 It tends to make people aware of the superfluous customs prevailing in the region.
 It helps eradicate poverty by promoting the arts and crafts made by people who search for
a source of income.
 It fosters a sense of pride among locals.
 The bonds among communities are strengthened.

Negative Impacts of Tourism on Society

 It impedes the life of local population because of congestion, noise, and pollution.
 It can bring problems of alcoholism, drug addiction, and prostitution in the local society.
 To make place for new accommodations or recreational facilities, the locals may be
displaced by acquiring their lands and violating human rights.
 It may act as a platform for the spread of contagious diseases.
 Tourism can change local community structure, family relationships, collective
traditional life styles, ceremonies and morality.
Koshi Tapu wildlife reserve

Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve is a natural, permanent and freshwater river system located on the
flood plains of the Sapta Koshi River. It is located on the Sapta Kosi River near Biratnagar,
Saptari and Sunsari Districts, in the terai of southeastern Nepal near the border with India.

Koshi Tappu is a rectangular-shaped reserve and was formed by the Koshi barrage near the
Nepal-India border on the East-West Mahendra National Highway. The flood plain is a
periodically flooded flat area between the river channel and the terrace or plateau that delimits
the plain.

The Koshi Tappu floodplain dries gradually during the post-flood period, although it remains
saturated with water in certain places, while in other places it dries to a loose and semi-arid
sandy condition.

The flood plain is also characterized by grassy swamps, oxbow lakes, back swamp lakes and
many other depressions that retain water throughout the year.

The existing vegetation consists of various types of physiognomy such as submerged and
floating aquatic plants, tall reed stands, seasonally flooded grasslands / savannas and structurally
complex forest communities under various spatial arrangement conditions.

There are 514 species of plants. Among the 485 bird species, notable birds recorded on the site
include Gallicrex cinerea, Caprimulgus asiaticus, Bubo coromandus, Coracina melanoptera,
Saxicola leucura and Megalurus palustris.

At least 114 species are water birds, 176 species breed in the reserve and 180 species are passage
migrants or winter visitors. As, 31 mammals\species are recorded of which, the last remaining
population of wild water buffalo in Nepal (Bubalus arnee) inhabits the area and the Gangetic
dolphin (Platanista gangetica) has been recorded in the Koshi River.

Mai Pokhari
Mai Pokhari is a mid-hill wetland located in the eastern Illam district of Nepal. It was declared as
a Ramsar site on 28 October 2008. Mai Pokhari covers 12 hectares of land and with a
circumference of about 1km. It is 13km away from the district headquarter i.e Illam Bazar. The
pond is situated at an altitude of 2100m from the sea level. The source of water in the pokhari is
from natural springs and precipitation. It is the main source of fresh water for local people.

This place has high religious significance to both the Hindu and Buddhist people. It is a star-
shaped pond with nine corners, each corner dedicated to nine different gods. An annual fair is
held every year around the month of October or November as it is considered as the holy place of
Goddess Bhagawati Temple.

Maipokhari Botanical Garden is located on the side of the lake which is of horticultural and
ecological importance which houses a rock garden, an orchid house, plants collected from many
regions of eastern Nepal, and a greenhouse. The lake is surrounded by beautiful flora consisting
of Water Lily, Orchid, Schima, Castanopsis, Laurel Oak (Quercus laurifolia), Cone trees,
Rhododendron and many other herbs.

Along with the vegetation, it is home for numerous faunae like Porcupine, Leopard Cat, Musk
Deer, Jackal, White-rumped vulture, Eurasian otter, and endemic species of Thakthake and
Variegated Mountain lizard. There are also 300 species of birds recorded around the wetland.
However, the wetland is facing some threats. The threats being the introduction of invasive
species, occupation of forest area, haphazard construction activity, the proliferation of human
settlement on the tracks leading to the wetland. The local authorities and different international
and national are trying their best to preserve the vegetation with awareness programs and socio-
cultural studies.

Lakes clusters of Pokhara

The name of Pokhara itself was derived from “Pokhari,” which means Pond in Nepalese
vernacular, one of the types of wetlands. The valley itself is one of the most popular tourist
destinations in Nepal, where natural heritages, especially lakes, mountains and “boating” are the
main tourist attractions.
The cluster of lakes i.e. Pokhara is of international importance, as it supports vulnerable,
endangered or critically endangered species or threatened ecological communities.

The group of lakes in the Ramsar site of the Pokhara Valley consists of the nine lakes, located in
the two municipalities of the Kaski district, western development region of Nepal. Of the nine
lakes, two lakes, Phewa and Kamalpokhari, are located in the metropolitan city of Pokhara,
where the rest of the lakes belong to the municipality of Lekhnath.

The total area of the basin comprises 178.5 km2 that includes bodies of water, agricultural land,
forests, settlements and other urbanized areas. Agricultural land dominates the use of land in the
catchment area followed by forests and bodies of water.

The bodies of water comprise almost 3% of the total catchment area of the cluster of lakes.

Phewa Tal

Phewa Lake is the largest lake in the Pokhara Valley, located in the foothills of the Himalayas at
an elevation of 782 m.a.s.l., which symbolizes a lake with an intense anthropogenic load of
various sources of pollutants and contaminants.

A clear freshwater lake and marshes associated with adjacent rice paddies in the Pokhara Valley.
Most of the lake is quite deep (maximum depth of 20 m), but there are shallow areas on the north
and west coasts with emerging aquatic vegetation.

The lake is fed by several small streams and a river that enters its western end, and has a single
exit to the Pardi Khola river at its eastern end.

Grassy marshes along the north and west shores; rice fields in adjacent areas and terraced fields,
secondary scrubs and degraded forests with Schima waliichii and Castanopsis indica on the
nearby slopes.

The lake has a rich fish fauna that includes several native carp species, as well as murrel, garfish
and spiny eels. There are two very popular sport fish, the Mahseer Tor tor and the Asla.
The lake, the marshes and the adjacent rice paddies support small resident and wintering
populations of many species of water birds, and provide an important area for the staging of
water birds that migrate over the Himalayas, particularly in spring.

Lake Begnas
Lake Begnas is the second largest lake in the Pokhara Valley located in the foothills of the
Himalayas at an altitude of 650 m.a.s.l. covering an area of 3.28 km2.

The main water base of the lake is the catchment and Syankhudi Khola that runs from west to
south towards the lake. It is a versatile lake and is applicable for irrigation, commercial fishing
and recreation that encompasses a dynamic role in the lentic ecosystem and the environment.

Some emerging vegetation around the shoreline and floating vegetation on the surface. The lake
is surrounded by rice paddies, and there are terraced fields and patches of secondary scrub and
degraded forest in the nearby hills.

Amphibians and fish abound, and the Mahseer Tor tor, a very popular game fish, is common.

The lake, the marshes and the adjacent rice paddies once supported small residents and wintering
populations of many species of waterfowl, and provided a staging area for waterfowl migrating
over the Himalayas, but the destruction of marsh vegetation and high levels of the disturbance in
recent years has made the area unsuitable for most species.

Rupa tal
Rupa lake is the third largest and most heavily polluted lake in the Lekhnath metropolitan city of
Pokhara. This lake is located in the foothills of the Himalayas at an altitude of 600 m.a.s.l. with
an area of 1.35 km2.

This small progressing eutrophic lake has Talbesi Khola, as the main source of the lake with the
sole Tal khola as outlet. The existence of 450 diverse species of flora and fauna exposes its
biological diversity. This lake assists the great varieties of flora and fauna species and is under
the stress of countless anthropogenic elements.

Some floating aquatic vegetation and reed beds; rice paddies along the northern shore, degraded
forest to the west and relatively undisturbed forest to the east.
The lake is known for harboring a rich invertebrate fauna, and fishes are abundant. Small
numbers of waterfowls can be observed including Nettapus coromandelianus and Metopidius
indicus.

Lake Depang
Depang Lake is the third largest freshwater lake in the metropolitan city of Pokhara, located
between green hills with an area of 3.24 km2 and a depth of 3-5 m.

It is in an elevation of 562m from sea level. This is famous for its fishing purpose. This lake is
also influenced by anthropogenic activities, natural erosion and sedimentation.

Khaste Lake
Lake Khaste is the freshwater lake located in the Lekhnath metropolitan city of Pokhara with an
area of 2.4 km2 and an elevation of 764m from sea level. The body of water covers 1.37 km2
and is used for fish farming and agriculture. It is also represented as “Bird Wetland” and is
famous for observing birds.

Its inflow source is Lake Neureni and the output is Taal Khola. The region is a prospective
research midpoint for bird inspection as various bird species visited these lakes. This indicates its
importance for biodiversity. It is also affected by fishing, irrigation and agricultural inputs.

Lakes Maidi, Niureni, Gunde and Kamal Pokhari lakes

These are small lakes located in the metropolitan city of Pokhara and also play a vital role in the
aquatic ecosystem. These lakes have an area of 0.01 km2, 0.02 km2, 0.08 km2 and 0.02 km2
respectively.

Despite being small, these lakes are important from the point of view of the ecosystem and the
environment, as they play an important role in ecosystem services. They are also heavily
influenced by anthropogenic activities that disturb biodiversity.

RECOMMENDATIONS

 Take Fewer Flights & Reduce Your Creation of Carbon

  Offset Your Carbon
 Bring Your Own Waste-Free Tools
 Use Public Transportation & Walk/Bike
 Choose Eco-Friendly Activities & Tour Operators
 Book Eco-Lodging & Stay in Sustainable Resorts/Airbnbs
 Support Local People & Businesses
 Refuse, Reuse & Reduce then Recycle
 Eat Seasonally, Locally & Sustainably

QUESTIONNAIRE

1. What is the history of Mai Pokhari ?

2. What do you think about Tourism?
3. What are the impacts of Tourism?
4. What are the effects of Tourism in local and community members?
5. What are the steps taken for wetland conservation?
6. Are local people satisfied with those steps?
7. Your recommendation for wetland conservation?

REFERENCE

1. https://elanaloo.com/reduce-your-environmental-impact-while-traveling/
2. https://wwf.panda.org/wwf_news/?149481/Mai-Pokhari-designated-as-Ramsar-site
3. https://www.britannica.com/science/wetland#:~:text=associated%20aquatic
%20sites.-,Origin%20of%20wetlands,began%20to%20colonize%20the
%20land.&text=Wetland%20communities%20depend%20on%20access%20to%20liquid
%20water.
4. https://www.nps.gov/subjects/wetlands/how.htm
5. WETLANDS – A SOURCE OF RICH BIODIVERSITY | – Wildlife Conservation Nepal (WCN)