Tap Potential Of High-altitude Wetlands

On the full moon day of the warm monsoon period in August every year, the Janai Purnima sacred thread festival takes place in Nepal. Devotees across the country perform ancient rites at holy waterspouts, while pilgrims flock to the alpine freshwater wetland of Gosaikunda lake, in Langtang National Park, north-central Nepal. It is believed that this crystal-clear lake was created by Lord Shiva, one of the principal gods of Hinduism. Looking down on the beauty of this valley, it’s easy to see why Gosaikunda is considered the abode of gods in Hindu mythology. The lake holds great significance for both Hindus and Buddhists, symbolising unity between these communities; pilgrims believe that a dip in its sacred waters brings spiritual purification and redemption from sin. 

As illustrated here in Gosaikunda, wetlands have formed the cradle of civilisations across the Hindu Kush Himalaya (HKH), shaping cultural identities, playing an important role in ensuring water and food security, increasing resilience to climate change, supporting livelihoods, and securing habitats for different species of plants and animals. Wetlands account for 10 per cent of the HKH, and the region is home to the largest number of high-altitude wetlands globally. High-altitude wetlands are found at elevations above 3000 metres above sea level; these ecosystems encompass a variety of forms, including glacial lakes, alpine meadows, and peatlands.  

Ramsar sites

Wetland sites of international importance are known as ‘Ramsar sites’, named after the ‘Convention on Wetlands’ which took place in Ramsar, Iran, in 1971, under the auspices of UNESCO, providing national action and international cooperation regarding the conservation of wetlands, and wise sustainable use of their resources. Of the 44 designated Ramsar sites in the HKH, 21 are high-altitude wetlands. 

However, complex development dynamics, coupled with limited awareness of the contribution made by wetlands to societal wellbeing, has put tremendous pressure on wetlands. Wetlands continue to be degraded and lost due to conversion for alternate uses, fragmentation of hydrological regimes, pollution, species invasion, unsustainable tourism, overharvesting of resources and regional climate change. Taking into account growing food and water security across South Asia, it is crucial for regional and national policymakers to focus greater attention on the integrated management of wetlands.

The frequency of natural disasters in South Asia is increasingly showing an upward trend. According to the Global Risk Analysis Report, about half of the total South Asian population are at ‘relatively high mortality risk’ from natural disasters. Water-related disasters are the most destructive of all natural disasters, and it is likely that these will become more frequent and intense in the future. 

High-altitude wetlands in the HKH region are vital for local communities, serving as a crucial freshwater source for drinking, irrigation, and livestock. Indigenous groups rely on traditional practices including yak herding and medicinal plant collection, which form the core of their livelihoods. The cultural and spiritual significance of these wetlands is profound, as they are sacred sites entrusted to collective preservation across generations. However, their contribution to human wellbeing is often understated, and the destruction and degradation of wetlands in the region continues.

Along with the current triple planetary crisis of climate change, pollution and biodiversity loss, humanity is experiencing a growing wellbeing challenge. Mental health issues such as depression, anxiety, and non-communicable diseases like obesity, asthma, and heart disease are on the rise, particularly in the post-COVID-19 era.

Several studies suggest that nature plays a role in relieving symptoms in individuals experiencing poor mental health. Greenery and wetlands have been associated with reduction in stress, improvements in cognitive functioning, increase in self-esteem, and reduced depression and anxiety. ‘Blue spaces’, defined as environments that predominantly consist of water, have been shown to be better at promoting wellbeing than green spaces, across a broad range of mental health indicators. 

Additionally, high levels of biodiversity and species richness of wetlands have been shown to be positively associated with self-reported psychological wellbeing. The connections between wetlands and human wellbeing need to be recognised and they must be valued as sites for improved human wellbeing rather than being described merely as water sources or dismissed as ‘wastelands’. 

Sustainable practices 

Numerous organisations and government bodies are dedicated to conserving high-altitude wetlands in the HKH through community-based projects, sustainable tourism, and research. Recognising their significance and adopting sustainable practices is not just an ecological responsibility but also a means of safeguarding the wellbeing and livelihoods of local communities and visitors.

In line with this year’s theme for World Wetlands Day – ‘Wetlands and human wellbeing’ – it is crucial to recognise the valuable contributions of wetlands to human wellbeing, and there is an urgent need to identify, document, and profile these sites. By bringing them into the limelight, we can raise awareness of their importance for mental and spiritual wellbeing and foster a culture of conservation and sustainable tourism.

(Timilsina is a Rangeland Research Associate and Joshi an Ecosystem Specialist at International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD)