Today is World Wetlands Day. Wetlands are some of the world's most fragile and sensitive ecosystems supporting unique habitats for plants and animals, and providing livelihoods to millions of people across the world. Wetlands are amazing at capturing and storing carbon. Wetlands are found in all countries across climatic zones - from the polar regions to tropical belts and from high altitudes to coastal areas and the arid and dry deserts. World Wetlands Day is observed every year on 2nd February to raise global awareness about the vital role played by wetlands for people and our planet.
World Wetlands Day 2021: What are wetlands
We can find wetlands wherever water bodies meet the land. Wetlands include mangroves and marshes, peatlands, rivers, lakes and other water bodies, deltas, floodplains and swamps in forested areas, paddy-fields and coral reefs. Wetlands are protected places under UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization). There are over 2,400 protected wetlands across the world.
2021 Theme for World Wetlands Day
The theme for World Wetlands Day 2021 is 'Wetlands and Water'. It emphasizes the importance of wetlands as a "source of freshwater and encourages action to restore them and stop their loss". This year's theme for World Wetlands Day is most significant as the UN Decades of Ocean Science and Ecosystem Restoration begins in 2021.
