Wetlands are vital for urban life!

South Africa joins the global community in celebration of the annual World Wetlands Day on 2 February, under the theme, Wetlands for sustainable urban future.

World Wetlands Day is an annual event that commemorates the signing of the Convention on Wetlands on 2 February 1971 in Ramsar, Iran. The annual celebration is aimed at raising awareness on the benefits and importance of wetlands as a natural resource.

Barbara Thomson, deputy minister of environmental affairs, has encouraged South Africans to be proactive in protecting and conserving the country’s wetlands.

“Wetlands are an important part of the ecosystem, as they provide a number of benefits, not only to the natural environment but also to people’s livelihoods. Such benefits include reduction of flooding, replenishment of drinking water, filter waste, and provision of urban green spaces. These benefits become more crucial as the number of people living in cities continues to increase,” said Thomson.

In urban areas, wetlands double as crucial ‘green lungs’ for cities by improving water quality and serving as reservoirs, containing run-offs from roads, drains, roofs and storm water drains. Wetlands in urban areas are also important for human-related value, particularly landscape amenity and recreational purposes amongst others. However, for many years, urban wetlands have been regarded as wastelands, with their vital importance and functions not being fully understood.

This year’s theme is also strategically aligned with government’s adopted Sustainable Development Goals, particularly Goal 6.3 which emphasises the need to ‘improve water quality by reducing pollution, eliminating dumping and minimising release of hazardous chemicals and materials, halving the proportion of untreated wastewater and substantially increasing recycling and safe reuse globally’ which are the sources of pollution that threaten the sustainability of urban wetlands.

South Africa is currently experiencing a drought with the worst affected province being the Western Cape.  Given that the impact of the drought are most severe in this province, it has negatively impacted fresh water supply, biodiversity, and livelihoods. Wetlands, if sustainably managed, are able to reduce the impact of droughts and floods by regulating stream flow. Urban wetlands can also provide cities with multiple economic, social and cultural benefits.

The recent National Biodiversity Assessment shows that wetlands are the most threatened ecosystems globally, regardless of the services they provide. Wetlands in South Africa have enormous economic, social, cultural and environmental benefits. Sadly, South Africa has lost an estimated 50 per cent of wetlands due to unsustainable use and poor land management.

“It is for this reason that governments, non-governmental organisations, civil society at large, communities and other stakeholders, engage in various activities with an aim to educate and raise awareness about the values, wise use, and importance of wetlands. The ultimate objective is to protect and conserve wetlands for the benefit of current and future generations,” said the Department of Environmental Affairs.

Given the strategic importance of wetlands, the Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA) runs the Working for Wetlands Programme which is implemented through the government’s Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) methodology. The programme focuses on rehabilitation, restoration maintenance, and protection interventions to ensure healthy wetlands.

The department’s investment in the Working for Wetlands programme has improved and secured the health of more than 80 000 hectares of wetland area while providing 17575 employment opportunities. Working for Wetlands has also provided 180 753 days of training in both vocational and life skills. Teams that form part of the programme are made up of a minimum of 60 per cent women, 20 per cent youth and 2 per cent people with disabilities.

To mark the importance of World Wetlands Day, Deputy Minister Thomson will embark on a public awareness drive in the City of eThekwini on Tuesday, 6 February.