World Wetlands Day 2025 Observed Under the Theme ‘Protecting Wetlands for Our Common Future’

World Wetlands Day 2025 is being observed today with the theme ‘Protecting Wetlands for Our Common Future’, emphasizing the urgent need for wetland conservation and restoration.

Celebrated annually on February 2, the day aims to raise public awareness about the rapid degradation of wetlands and the importance of preserving these vital ecosystems. The United Nations officially designated World Wetlands Day on August 30, 2021, marking it as a global event to commemorate the adoption of the Convention on Wetlands in Ramsar, Iran, in 1971.

The Ramsar Convention, ratified by 172 countries, calls for the conservation and sustainable use of wetlands by establishing protected areas, formulating effective policies, and fostering international cooperation. Under the agreement, member nations must designate at least one wetland as a site of international importance, known as a Ramsar site.

Nepal has designated several wetlands under this framework, including Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve, Rara Lake, Mai Pokhari, Phoksundo Lake, Bishazari Lake, Ghodaghodi Lake, Gosainkunda Lake, Gokyo Lake, Jagdishpur Reservoir, and the Pokhara Valley wetland system, which consists of nine interconnected lakes.

Wetlands cover approximately 819,277 hectares, accounting for about five percent of Nepal’s total land area. These ecosystems play a crucial role in maintaining biodiversity, regulating water cycles, and supporting livelihoods, making their conservation essential for ecological balance and sustainability.