Wetlands are essential to ensuring water security, acting as natural infrastructure that provides critical ecosystem services. 

Wetlands sustain freshwater supplies, protect against climate extremes, and help ensure long-term water security. Beyond regulating water availability, wetlands are among nature’s most effective filters. They trap sediments, break down pollutants, and remove excess nutrients, thereby improving water quality. The ability of wetlands to perform these vital functions depends on various hydrologic factors. Therefore, understanding the relationship between water regimes and wetland characteristics is crucial for sustainable wetland management. Despite their importance, wetlands are often overlooked in water resource planning, creating a significant gap in water management efforts. 

Wetlands International South Asia promotes integration of wetlands into water management planning and decision-making processes. This requires collaboration among various stakeholders, including those responsible for water resource management, rural development, and others, at multiple levels. We work to align policies across development sectors, transforming how water risks are managed within landscapes and improving management and restoration of wetlands as networks of natural water infrastructure.  We also aim to strengthen the knowledge base and develop tools that facilitate incorporating wetlands into water security and management plans and programs. Additionally, we work to strengthen the capabilities of institutions and stakeholders involved in water resource management, enabling them to integrate wetlands into their planning processes and create stronger connections between wetland conservation and water sector initiatives.

Our Impact

• Developed modules on integration of wetlands in water resources management and wetland water quality

• Applied hydro-geomorphic assessment for wetlands within a 10 km buffer of River Ganga  and Yamuna under the National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG)
• Rejuvenation of prioritised floodplain wetlands of River Ganga and its tributaries with support from NMCG 
• Integration of wetlands into water security plans, with local Panchayats restoring them through development schemes in Bihar and Odisha

• Developed the capacity of civil society partners to monitor and rejuvenate wetlands in southern Bangladesh