ISLAMABAD: The Ministry of Climate Change is working to harmonise the potential of floods for groundwater recharge, pollution control and poverty alleviation. In this connection a Recharge Pakistan Project is being considered for implementation.

Besides, plantation and regeneration of forest cover in mangroves zones and other appropriate areas near wetlands is planned. Through these efforts, Pakistan reiterates its commitment to international community and the Ramsar Convention.

Pakistan is a signatory to the Convention on Wetlands also known as Ramsar Convention.

It is an inter-governmental treaty which provides the framework for national action and international cooperation for the conservation and wise use of wetland and their resources.

Under Ramsar Convention, Pakistan has so far designated 19 wetlands as Ramsar sites of international significance.

Wetland includes lakes, rivers, deltas, estuaries, swamps, peat lands, coral reefs mangroves and other coastal areas. These are among the most diverse and productive ecosystem supporting rich biodiversity and providing valuable products and services to human beings.

2nd February is celebrated as Word Wetland Day. It marks the date of adoption of Ramsar Convention on 2nd February 1971 in Ramsar, Iran.

Theme of World Wetland Day 2019 is “Wetland and Climate Change”.

Due to human activities , global climate is changing faster than any previous century. As a result, temperatures are rising, oceans are warming, glaciers are melting and sea levels are rising . The frequency of disasters worldwide has more than doubled in just 35 years and 90 percent of these disasters are water related.

Extreme weather events are predicted to be on the rise. Wetland play a significant role in mitigating impact of climate change.

Wetland act as a sinks of carbon, which is one of the major contributors of global warming. Wetland acts as natural buffer to absorb the shock of natural disasters and protect the communities. Due to its geographical location and terrain, Pakistan is among top ten countries affected by climate change.