Wetland Conservation in Context of Climate Induced Changes: Bangladesh Perspective

Abstract

Geographic location and Geo-morphological conditions of Bangladesh have made the country one of the most weather vulnerable ones to wetlands in context of climate induced changes. Bangladesh is a land of wetland which occupies around 50% of the country. Wetlands play a crucial role in maintaining the ecological balance of ecosystems and cultural figures as well, but wetland habitats of Bangladesh is under constant threats due to climate induced changes and anthropogenic activities. Climate change, however, is causing acceleration in the rise of sea level, which would seemingly put wetlands at risk of excessive calamities. Drought, excessive temperature, mountain snowfields and glaciers melting, riverbank erosion, salinity intrusion, flash-flood, storm surges, higher water temperature, magnitude of precipitation change, coastal cyclones. Seasonal anomalies and extremes are main threats to the wetland ecosystem. As a result biodiversity is reducing, many species of flora and fauna are threatened, wetlands-based ecosystem is degenerating, and the living conditions of local people are deteriorating as livelihoods, socioeconomic institutions, and extensive cultural values as well. Technology, legislation, educational knowledge, action plan strategy, conservation practices are required to manage wetlands. Therefore, Bangladesh now needs a comprehensive approaches, strategy and integrated system combining political, economic, social, technological and institutional supports to address sustainable wetland conservation and the newly added crisis, climate change.