Restored Wetland : Yaralpat

Rahul Ashem *

Yaralpat Lake as seen on December 27 2015 :: Pix - Lamdamba Oinam

Fortunately, Yaral-pat is one good example of wetlands restoration in Manipur. The pat is famous for the bloom of indigenous flower 'Kombirei' (Iris Spp), the mauve blue coloured flower.

Folklores link a close connection between the pat and the flower, basically known as the Yaralpat ki Kombirei. Restoration credit goes to the concept of local community participation in the act of securing Yaral resources.

By definition, wetland restoration is the management of physical, chemical or biological characteristics of degraded wetlands to return to its natural functions. More importantly, restoration maintains the surrounding ecosystems and services, which in turn provide water, habitat and shelter to hundreds of plants and animals species.

The Wetlands Rules (2017) defines complete autonomy to States to conserve and manage wetlands located within their managerial boundaries. The rules make it mandatory for States to have a State Wetland Authority, which will plan and execute wetland management interventions.

Summarizing, Yaral-pat had no qualifications as a wetland for many years. Many reasons must be there for the conversion of wetland to agricultural practices. In most cases, the attraction of wetlands for agriculture is that they are often flat, fertile lands with a ready supply of water.

Besides, wetland agriculture provides an important coping mechanism for many rural communities having to deal with the harsh vagaries of climate. The State is known to depend on agriculture for their economic growth and provides economic support for each and every household.

In support of the UN International Year, Ramsar's theme for World Wetlands Day (2014) is 'Wetlands and Agriculture'. It provides an opportunity to highlight the importance of wetlands in supporting agriculture.

The theme gives special attention to the role of wetlands in providing natural infrastructure to support agriculture for food production. In practice, agricultural use of wetlands alters the ecological systems and services. The use of fertilizer and pesticide has destroyed many of these values at present.

Scientific studies suggest that agriculture and agricultural practices simply destroy wetlands, undermining biodiversity and degrading all the beneficial ecosystem services that they provide. Most of the wetlands found in Manipur (hills and valley) are under threatened conditions. In other cases, some wetlands are ephemeral and remain dry for years at a time.

Generally, destruction of wetlands disturbs the ecological services and functions as well as the livelihoods and well being of the people.

Degradation of wetlands releases certain amount of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere leading to the rise in temperature, precipitation and humidity. During the monsoon season, flooding is a common sequence in Imphal valley. The reason is mainly due to the removal of ponds, water bodies and degradation of wetlands system.

In addition, inadequate drainage systems, blockade due to indiscriminate disposal of solid waste and building debris, encroachment of water drains and natural drainage are other factors.

Conversion of water bodies to residential building is another problem of removing the interconnectivities in the surrounding environment. In summer, the Imphal valley becomes like a heat island due to increase in temperature.

Surface and atmospheric temperatures are increased by anthropogenic heat discharge due to energy consumption, increased land surface and the associated decreases in vegetation, water bodies and wetlands which reduce the surface temperature. It is difficult for the public to understand the importance of environment significance, they willingly destroy the wetlands and water bodies.

Nevertheless, conservation of wetlands requires public support, Government legislation and conservation programs. Worldwide, wetlands play a key role in delivering the Sustainable Development Goals, Aichi Biodiversity Targets, the Paris Agreement on Climate Change and other related commitments.

The Global Wetland Outlook outlines the status and trends in wetlands worldwide, along with the challenges and responses. This year 2021, wetlands day theme 'Wetlands and Water' highlights the contribution of wetlands to the quantity and quality of fresh water on our planet.

The need is to be more aware and concentrate on the issues and solutions on water conservation campaign because it becomes a compulsory for every one of us.Water bodies are getting polluted on daily basis by the domestic, agriculture or other waste material products.