Protection of Wetlands and Sanctuaries

 

Protection of Wetlands and Sanctuaries

Sanctuaries

Originally, the term sanctuary referred to a sacred or holy place, often used for religious worship. Over time, its meaning expanded to include any safe haven — a place offering protection. Today, sanctuaries are broadly categorized into two types: those for humans, such as political refuges, and those for non-human life, including animal and plant sanctuaries.

Animal Sanctuaries
An animal sanctuary provides a permanent, safe home for animals where they can live out their natural lives in peace. Unlike animal shelters, which focus on rehoming animals, sanctuaries prioritize lifelong care without relocation.

Plant Sanctuaries
Plant sanctuaries are protected areas dedicated to preserving natural ecosystems and serving as safe havens for endangered plant species. They help maintain ecological processes that cannot survive in highly developed landscapes. These areas also act as valuable research references for understanding human impacts on nature and are often the last hope for saving rare or endemic species from extinction.

---

National Wetlands Policy of Pakistan

Wetlands in Pakistan are not formally defined in law, but the National Wetlands Policy recognizes their importance. Wetlands play a vital role in controlling water flow, regulating climate, protecting biodiversity, and supporting human livelihoods.

Threats to Wetlands

Pakistan’s wetlands face numerous challenges, including habitat destruction, increasing demand for water and land, lack of public awareness, inadequate coordination among agencies, insufficient resources, and weak regulatory frameworks.

Opportunities for Wetlands

The policy also identifies opportunities to enhance wetland value without depleting their resources. These include:

• Increasing productivity for food and water supply.

• Using wetlands for natural water purification.

• Promoting artificial wetlands for multiple uses.

• Utilizing wetlands for education, tourism, and recreation.

---

Vision Statement

Pakistan’s vision for its wetlands is to manage them for the optimal performance of their ecological functions, while promoting sustainable livelihoods, cultural activities, research, and education.

---

Policy Guidelines

1. Ecosystem Approach – Manage land, water, and living resources fairly, based on scientific understanding of how organisms interact with their environment.

2. Equity – Ensure fair distribution of water and wetland benefits at community, district, and provincial levels.

3. Good Governance – Promote transparency, accountability, and responsibility in wetland management.

4. Integration – Include wetland concerns in all major development planning.

5. Transboundary Cooperation – Coordinate wetland management across borders and watersheds.

6. No Net Biodiversity Loss – Aim to halt biodiversity loss and, where possible, restore and enhance wetland ecosystems.

7. Knowledge-Based Decisions – Ensure management plans are based on the best available science.

8. Stakeholder Involvement – Engage local communities, government bodies, NGOs, private sector, and researchers.

9. Sustainable Resourcing – Secure long-term funding from diverse sources, not just government budgets or donors.