By Matthew McCartney, Chaturangi Wickramaratne, Radheeka Jirasinha & Priyanie Amerasinghe
Wetlands are among the most valuable ecosystems on Earth. They are essential for maintaining biodiversity, regulating water quality, supporting wildlife, and providing other critical ecosystem services. Many, though not all, wetlands act as natural filters, removing pollutants from water and improving water quality. They also store carbon, and some mitigate flooding, recharge groundwater supplies, and provide habitats for a vast array of species. However, despite their importance, wetlands are increasingly under threat due to urbanization, climate change, and intensive agriculture.
While urbanization and agriculture development may support short-term economic growth and improve human well-being in certain respects, they often come at the expense of wetland functioning and ecosystem services (or wetland wellbeing). The draining and degradation of wetlands can lead to significant environmental challenges, including flooding, water scarcity, and the loss of biodiversity. Ironically, the very investments intended to support human populations —such as roads, buildings, and drainage systems — can exacerbate the negative impacts of wetland loss, ultimately undermining the long-term benefits.
Despite decades of advocating for sustainable development, human activities continue to push ecosystems beyond the planet’s ecological boundaries. This trend is especially concerning in the context of wetlands, which are amongst the most rapidly disappearing ecosystems on Earth. Globally, it is estimated that millions of square kilometres of wetlands have been drained or converted for agriculture or development. Since 1700, an estimated 21% of wetlands have been lost, and freshwater species populations have declined by an alarming 85% since 1970.
In Sri Lanka, the situation is no different. Rapid, unplanned urban development and the intensification of agriculture are causing wetland areas to disappear, especially in densely populated regions where wetlands play a crucial role in flood retention, water purification, and biodiversity conservation. Urban expansion and infrastructure development continue to encroach on wetland habitats, while climate change is further exacerbating the risks of flooding, landslides and droughts. This combination of factors makes the protection and restoration of wetlands more urgent than ever.
Wetland monitoring, citizen science, and environmental education
However, there is hope. Efforts to safeguard and restore wetland ecosystems are gaining momentum. One of the most promising strategies is to engage and equip the next generation in wetland conservation. By involving children in wetland education and conservation, we can foster a deeper connection to nature and raise a generation that thinks and behaves differently. Ensuring that young people understand the importance of wetlands can help protect them in the future.
The International Water Management Institute (IWMI) and the Field Ornithology Group of Sri Lanka (FoGSL) have together developed an educational program for children living near wetlands. The program is designed to increase awareness about the importance of wetlands while providing practical, hands-on experiences. In 2023-2024, IWMI and FoGSL collaborated with six local schools in a six-month program that engaged more than 200 children in activities such as wetland monitoring, citizen science projects, and environmental education workshops. Through these activities, children learned not only about the role of wetlands in filtering water, supporting wildlife, and mitigating floods but also about the direct human impact on wetlands and the importance of conservation.
The program offered a unique opportunity for children to experience the natural world firsthand, developing an understanding of the challenges wetlands face and the importance of preserving them for future generations and for the survival of other species. By nurturing an environmental ethic from a young age, such initiatives help children build a lifelong commitment to stewardship and recognize the intrinsic value of nature.
In addition to school-based programs, IWMI has also conducted participatory video training for university students and scouts in 2024-2025. This training empowers students to document and raise awareness about local wetland challenges through creative storytelling. By using video as a tool for social research, participants can capture the voices of local communities and highlight the value of wetlands in their daily lives, further strengthening the bond between people and nature.
Young people are not just the future of our planet — they are the future stewards of the environment. By engaging them in wetland conservation, we can ensure that the next generation grows up with the knowledge and passion to protect these vital ecosystems. Involving children in environmental education instils a sense of responsibility and deepens their respect for nature. As they learn about the intricate connections between water, biodiversity, and human well-being, they become powerful advocates for the protection and restoration of wetlands.
Currently, IWMI, in partnership with the Ministry of Environment of Sri Lanka, is raising awareness of the intrinsic value of wetlands by exploring the implementation of Rights of Nature. This movement challenges people to think differently — placing humans at the same level of all living beings — and to recognize the value of wetlands to animals, plants, and other species, in addition to their value to humans.
As we celebrate World Wetlands Day 2025, it is important to recognize that protecting wetlands is about preserving nature for its own sake and ensuring a sustainable and common future for all. A profound shift is needed in how we view and interact with wetlands. We must move away from seeing them as areas to be developed or exploited and instead recognize them for the invaluable ecosystems they are. By fostering a deeper connection to wetlands in our children, we can contribute to a better world where wetlands thrive, benefiting generations to come.
