BS-20 Wetlands of BD PDF

2018-Session 20
Wetlands of
Bangladesh
BANGLADESH STUDIES Dr. Abdul Baqee

Department of Geography and Environment
Human 1103 : Bangladesh Studies 1
University of Dhaka
Definition of Wetlands
“The areas of marsh, fen, peat land or

water, whether natural or
artificial, permanent or temporary,

with water that is static or flowing,
fresh, brackish or salt including
areas of marine water, the depth of
which at low tide does not exceed
six meters can be defined as
wetlands.”
(Ramsar Convention Bureau, 1971).
2/25
A marsh is a type of wetland which is subject to
frequent or continuous flooding.
Peat is an accumulation of partially decayed

vegetation matter. Peat is harvested as an
important source of fuel in certain parts of
the world
A fen is a type of wetland fed by

mineral-rich surface water or
groundwater. 3/25
Wetlands of Bangladesh
Haors are often created
due to tectonic Wetlands of BD cover an
processes. area of 16,000 sq km (11%
of the total area) including
The floodplain rivers, haors, lakes and
depression wetlands are ponds.
called ‘haors’ and the
deeper sections that Some, however, estimate
retain water in the dry that 50% of the total land
months are called ‘beels’. surface in BD is considered
The haor may consists of as wetlands.
a few beels of various
sizes.
4/25
5/25
6/25
7/25
8/25
9/25
10/25
Wetlands of Bangladesh
Can be divided into the following three
categories based on the hydrological and
ecological considerations.
• Salt water/saline/brackish
• Freshwater (also known as haor, baor, beel)
• Man-made/artificial (for example; ponds)
11/25
Management of Wetlands
- globally, wetlands are
important for aquatic - integrate/incorporate
resources and are mitigation measures of
habitats of numerous the environmental
waterfowl species. parameters in all
development projects
- management of on wetlands.
wetlands include.
- to restore essential
- stop the development ecological processes in
activities of the the degraded wetlands.
identified sensitive
wetlands.
12/25
Importance of Wetlands
- habitats to a large variety
of wildlife and safe-
nesting to waterfowls.
- wetlands support a
- wetland offers a breeding very favourable
environment for large condition to cattle
number of resident and for grazing.
migratory birds.
- soil nutrients are
- wetlands is a huge source enriched by the
of fishery resources that wetland that enrich
maintain protein-intake soil fertility.
to the humans.
13/25
Current Issues of Wetlands in BD
- Reduction of fish habitat, fish pop and diversity
- Extinction and reduction of waterfowls
- Extinction and reduction of wildlife
- Loss of many indigenous aquatic flora
- Increase in the recurrence of flashfloods
- Loss of natural water reservoir
- Loss of natural soil nutrients
14/25
Reasons Behind Wetland Degradation
- Increasing pop pressure and expansion of human
settlements
- Poverty that leads to over-exploitation of resources
- Commercial and over-harvesting of fishery stock by
the leaseholders
- Inefficient exploitation of wetland resources by the
users
- Expansion of agricultural activities
- Over-use of wetland forests as fuel
15/25
- Loss of habitats and
degradation
- Pollution due to agro-
chemicals
- Conflict between the - Lack of awareness
locals and among the locals
leaseholders and lack of locals’
participation in
conservation
practices
16/25
Convention on Wetlands of International
Importance; especially as waterfowl habitat is the
first global inter-governmental agreement that
reflects emphasis on the wetland-conservation and
wise-use of wetlands (adopted in February 1971 in
Ramsar).
It is also popularly known as

RAMSAR CONVENTION.
17/25
- The Convention has broadened its scope to include
all aspects of wetland conservation and wise-use
principles.
- Till now, the number of contracting parties was 160
& 1953 wetlands have been designated as Ramsar
Site.
- Bangladesh became a signatory of the convention in
May 1992.
- Tanguar Haor (located in the northeast of BD) was
declared as the country’s second Ramsar Site in 20
January 2000.
18/25
Key Guidelines of Ramsar Convention
Contracting parties have to designate wetlands of

international importance for inclusion on a list of Ramsar
sites and to advise the Bureau of any change in their
ecological character.
Parties have to consider their international
responsibilities for conservation, management and wise-
use of migratory stocks of wild fowls.
Parties have to formulate and implement planning in
order to promote conservation of listing sites.
19/25
Key Guidelines of Ramsar Convention
Contracting parties have to establish wetland nature
reserves, cooperate in their exchange of information and
train personnel for wetland management.
Parties have to make national inventories of wetlands.
Countries have to make environmental impact
assessment before conversion of wetlands.
Parties have to convene conferences on the conservation
of wetlands and water fowls according to the needs.
20/25
Wise Use of Wetlands
Later, it defines sustainable
Ramsar Convention utilization as ……
Bureau defines wise-
use as the ……. “Human use of a wetland
“sustainable so that it may yield the
utilization of greatest continuous
wetlands for the benefit to present
benefit of generations while
humankind in a way maintaining its potential
compatible with the to meet the needs and
maintenance of the aspirations of future
essential ecological generations (COP3, 1987,
processes”. Regina).”
21/25
Wise Use of Wetlands (contd.)
There are three pillars
of the Ramsar
Convention …….
• Wise use of wetlands

• List of wetlands of international
importance and
• International cooperation among
the contracting states.
22/25
Ensuring Locals’ Participation
In the recent conferences of the contracting
parties of the convention, resolution has been
adopted with especial emphasis on strengthening
communities and indigenous people’s
participation in the management of wetlands
(Ramsar COP7, 1999 and COP8, 2003).
Bangladesh is obligated to maintain the key

guidelines prescribed in the Ramsar Convention.
One of the key principles of the convention is to

include the local people in the management
practices.
23/25
Ramsar Sites in BD
The Sunderbans is a First Ramsar site
(declared in may 1992)
Tanguar Haor was declared as the
country’s second Ramsar site in
2000.
Both the sites support significant
number of waterfowls and migratory
birds.
Remember ….
This also a home to more than
56,000 people.
24/25
That’s all for the day
Ecologically Critical Areas

In view of many of the wetland’s critical
state/degradation, they have been
declared as Ecologically Critical Areas.
For example rivers around Dhaka City
Tanguar Haor,
St. Martin’s Island etc.
25/25

BS-20 Wetlands of BD PDF

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

BS-20 Wetlands of BD PDF

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Description:

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

BS-20 Wetlands of BD PDF

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

2018-Session 20

BANGLADESH STUDIES Dr. Abdul Baqee

“The areas of marsh, fen, peat land or

artificial, permanent or temporary,

Peat is an accumulation of partially decayed

A fen is a type of wetland fed by

It is also popularly known as

Contracting parties have to designate wetlands of

• Wise use of wetlands

Bangladesh is obligated to maintain the key

One of the key principles of the convention is to

Ecologically Critical Areas

You might also like