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“The swamp isn't a useless piece of land. A swamp is a kind of wetland. Wetlands are important to humans.”―Dae-Seung Yang Nepal, located between China and India, is home to a rich diversity of ecosystems, including wetlands. The mention of the word ‘wetlands’ brings to our minds the images of swamps and flooded plains. These marshy regions appear to serve no function, although they are the most valuable types of habitat. The public has numerous misconceptions about wetlands since there is little public interest in saving them. Let’s begin with the definition of the word. Wetlands are unique ecosystems that play an important role in the health of the planet characterized by water-saturated soils, which create a habitat for a wide range of plant and animal species. Wetlands include natural and man-made water bodies such as marshes, swamps, lakes, and ponds. Wetlands are home to 40 percent of all plant and animal species, covering just around 6 percent of the Earth's terrestrial surface! Wetlands encompass around 743,500 hectares, or nearly 5-6 percent of the country's total land area of Nepal. The Terai is characterized by a significant number of wetlands (163), hills, and mountains (79), which run from Mechi in the east to Mahakali in the west. Nepal is home to 20 of the 27 identified worldwide freshwater wetlands types. However, the Ramsar sites now comprise just 9 wetlands: Koshi Tappu (Sunsari), Beeshazari (Chitwan), Ghodaghodi (Kailali), Gokyo (Solukhumbu), Gosaikunda (Rasuwa), Jagadishpur (Kapilvastu), Maipokhari (Ilam), Phoksundo (Dolpa), and Rara Lake (Mugu). Wetlands in Nepal support 193 of the 841 documented bird species, as well as 91 and 89 globally vulnerable flora and fauna, respectively; 11 flora and 59 fauna rely on wetlands for all or part of the year. Wetlands are perhaps the last surviving safe havens for certain wild relatives of domesticated plants. More than a billion people worldwide rely on wetlands for a living, accounting for almost one in every eight people on the planet. Wetlands are often called "the kidneys of the landscape" because they filter pollutants and excess nutrients from the water that flows through them. They also serve as critical habitats for migratory birds and other wildlife, as well as providing important recreational opportunities for people.  Wetlands bring several benefits, such as: Flood control: Wetlands act as natural sponges, absorbing excess water during heavy rainfall and reducing the risk of flooding. Water purification: Wetlands filter pollutants and improve water quality by removing excess nutrients and harmful substances. Biodiversity: Wetlands provide habitat for a diverse range of plants and animals, including many threatened and endangered species. Carbon sequestration: Wetlands act as carbon sinks, helping to mitigate the impacts of climate change by storing carbon. Recreational opportunities: Wetlands offer opportunities for activities such as birdwatching, fishing, and hiking. Economic benefits: Wetlands provide valuable resources, such as timber and peat, and support industries such as fishing and tourism. Wetlands are the Earth's most vulnerable habitat, vanishing three times faster than the forests. Since 1970, 35 percent of the world's wetlands have been gone in just 50 years. Wetland loss is caused by human activities such as drainage and infilling for agriculture and building, pollution, overfishing and resource overexploitation, invasive species, and climate change. The mistaken perception of wetlands as wastelands rather than as life-giving sources of employment, income, and important ecosystem services has resulted in a vicious cycle of wetland loss, jeopardized livelihoods, and deepening poverty. One major difficulty is changing mindsets to urge governments and communities to appreciate and prioritize wetlands. The conservation and restoration of wetlands has become a priority for many organizations and governments around the world. It is critical that we promote national and global awareness on wetlands to reverse their fast decline and stimulate conservation and restoration efforts. World Wetlands Day is an excellent opportunity to enhance public awareness of these vitally important ecosystems. The day is marked on February 2 each year to raise awareness on the importance of wetlands for our environment and for human kind. The day marks the adoption of the Convention on Wetlands, also known as the Ramsar Convention, on February 2nd, 1971 at Ramsar, Iran. To celebrate the Day, people can take part in activities such as visiting a local wetland, learning about the importance of these ecosystems, and participating in conservation and restoration efforts. By raising awareness and taking action, we can help ensure that wetlands continue to play a critical role in the health of our planet. The Day provides an opportunity for us to reflect on the vital role that wetlands play in our environment and to take action to conserve these important ecosystems for future generations. Wetlands Restoration is the theme for 2023. Its primary goal is to protect our forest, trees, and overall wetland surface area. We are not paying attention to environmentally beneficial long-term growth in the technological era. As a result, the topic concentrates upon males who are unaware of the sustainable development of wetlands. Wetlands are critical ecosystems that provide a range of ecological, economic, and social benefits. The loss of wetlands not only affects the environment but also impacts the livelihoods of local communities, who rely on these ecosystems for their daily needs. Global climate change and population increase have had a direct influence on water, making wetland protection even more crucial. The following are some critical steps for Nepal to conserve its treasured wetlands:

• Create a policy environment that encourages national commitment to wetland protection.
•  Raise awareness among key stakeholders at the local and national levels about the importance of wetlands and their conservation.
•  Conduct research and maintain an information and knowledge base on wetlands in order to better understand their conservation status.
•  Identify, conserve, restore, and manage key wetlands by implementing management plans and involving all stakeholders, including local people, in wetlands conservation.
•  Promote environment-friendly and sustainable tourism that reduces human impact on wetlands and their ecosystems.
•  Promote environmentally friendly and sustainable tourism that reduces human impact on wetlands and their watersheds.

So, wetlands are a vital aspect of the natural ecology, and Nepal has one of the world's most cherished water systems. To safeguard the advantages of wetlands and their resources for the present and future, as well as for people and biodiversity, Nepal must create synergy in conservation efforts, beginning with strong political commitment and driven by collaboration from the local to national and global levels. Ignoring the value of wetlands today will put us in a terrible position in the future. Let us conserve the wetlands for our own good.

Our planet is home to a wide range of plants and animals, including mammals, rodents, insects, and more. Each of these beings has an important place in Mother Nature’s scheme of things. For example, there’s one animal that is asleep when we are awake and vice-versa. What’s more, it can fly, though it has no feathers. What animal is it, can you guess? Well, it is the bat, the only mammal capable of actual flight. Worldwide, there are over 1,200 different species of bats, accounting for more than one-fifth of all mammal species. Chiroptera, which means "hand wing" in Greek, is the scientific term for bats. That's because bats have a thumb in addition to four lengthy fingers each joined by a thin layer of skin. They can swiftly change direction and catch mosquitoes midair because of their mobile joints and flexible skin membrane. Bats come in two varieties: Microbats and Megabats. Microbats are nocturnal animals that prey on moth-like insects. Megabats consume fruit, nectar, and pollen. They have bigger eyes and a better sense of smell than Microbats, but smaller ears since they don't echolocate. When you hear the term "bat," what springs to your mind? Not a very pleasing image, most probably. This is unfortunate because these little, gentle, and hard-working flying animals are actually highly good for the ecosystem. The bats start pollinating as soon as the sun goes down, the time when the birds and the bees are taking a break after a busy day. Bats are the primary or sole pollinators of more than 500 flower species across at least 67 different plant families. Many globally significant plants, both environmentally and commercially, are pollinated by bats. Without nectar-feeding bats, not only would our ecology suffer, but also our way of life. Fruit bats are efficient seed dispersers because they can sometimes travel great distances to find food, especially in low density or in habitats that are separated from one another. Additionally, fruit-eating bats eat 50 to 250 percent of their body weight in fruit each night. Consequently, a lot of fruits are consumed in one night. Bats contribute to the health of caves by supplying vital nutrients in the form of guano, or "Bat Dropping," which is a superior fertilizer than cow manure for fostering the development of communities of cave creatures. Bats are advantageous because they consume insects, such as mosquitoes and pests like codling moths that harm fruit and nut crops. According to some research, the economic worth of bats for agriculture pest management exceeds $23 billion annually. They can ingest 1,200 mosquitoes in one hour and frequently eat their full weight in insects each night. The Center for Biological Diversity estimates that bats end up offering "nontoxic pest-control services totalling $3.7 billion to $53 billion each year”. Despite being an important component of the environment, bats are frequently connected with death, darkness, and the paranormal in numerous myths and stories from different cultures across the world. They are definitely weird beings that resemble animals from a nightmare, given their part-animal-part-bird appearance. Do they truly deserve their evil reputation? They don’t. They must unquestionably be treated like other mammals. Bats are blind? There’s a misconception that bats are blind. In fact, they have excellent vision and the advantage of echolocation, which allows them to fly and locate their next meal in the dark without risk. Another one is that these creatures suck human blood, which is almost entirely untrue. Of more than 1,100 species of bats, only three species are vampires. They are widespread in Central and South America, where cattle serve as their primary food source. A majority of other bats eat fruit, insects, or nectar. Bats carry the rabies virus? The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that just 6 percent of bats carry the rabies virus, which seldom affects humans. According to the World Health Organization, dogs cause up to 99 percent of all human rabies infections, accounting for an estimated 60,000 fatalities each year. Bats have a slow rate of reproduction, with a majority of females giving birth to just one youngster per year. Because of this, bat species recover from population losses more slowly and with much difficulty than many other mammal species. It’s challenging to detect large drops in bat species until their position becomes critical. Major threats to the bat population are the loss of habitat, humans and diseases. Bats are among the victims of deforestation, which is a significant issue for everyone. According to Bat Conservation International, many bats are targeted by humans, whether out of superstition (believing that all bats are vampires) or for economic purposes (eating and selling bat meat). According to the Eco Health Alliance, if bat populations were to decline, a very serious threat given their growing susceptibility, up to 20 percent of all mammal species may become extinct worldwide. The International Union for the Conservation of Nature estimates that 5 percent of bats fall under the category of endangered species, while there’s no data on another 11 percent. Knowing the importance of bats helps us see how their absence may have a significant impact on all aspects of our lives. Awareness may help us know how to live in harmony with animals, especially those who are the opposite of humans in that they experience the world upside down, such as bats. Utilizing your newly-acquired knowledge about bats and encouraging others to do the same will go a long way in preserving bat species. By preserving their habitats and correcting misconceptions about them, we can aid bat populations. So, let's treat them with the respect they deserve because their extinction will pose a threat to all of us.

Who among us doesn’t love to sit and relax under the shade of a tree on a sunny day? Anyone out there, who does not love birds, their chirps? And who doesn’t want an eyeful of snowy mountains and flowers in full bloom? Who can ignore wildlife? Everyone enjoys these gifts of Nature and can get lost in its beauty. Then how can we forget that the condition of Planet Earth is getting worse day by day? Both natural and anthropogenic causes—human activities—are deteriorating our environment. Natural causes include avalanches, earthquakes, tidal waves, storms, landslides, flood and wildfires, which can totally crush nearby animal and plant groups to the point where they can no longer survive in those areas. While linking environmental degradation with human activities, let us not forget that the environment itself is also changing constantly. A few biological systems deteriorate to the point that they can no longer support life meant to exist there, with or without the influence of human exertion. Anthropogenic causes include overpopulation and over-exploitation, ruinous agricultural practices, landfills, increase in deforestation, environmental pollution, improper land use planning and development, and many more. As the human population keeps increasing, there is a lot of pressure on the utilization of natural resources, which results in over-exploitation of natural resources, contributing to environmental deterioration and erosion. Overpopulation only results in increased pollution and rapid resource depletion relative to how they are being replaced. According to a UN assessment, providing food for a rapidly growing population consumes more than one-third of the world’s land area and about 75 percent of its freshwater resources. So, overpopulation has become the major cause behind environmental destruction. Due to the buildup of harmful chemicals like bad minerals and heavy metals that obstruct the biological and chemical processes of the soil, intensive agricultural operations devastate fertile areas and neighboring plant cover. Runoff of agricultural waste, chemical fertilizers, and pesticides into marine and freshwater settings have negatively impacted aquatic life, wetlands, and the quality of animal habitats. The environment becomes uninviting for the life of trees, flora, animals, and people due to the landfills’ release of various types of chemicals into the area next to forests, other natural habitats, and water systems, including subterranean and surface water. Globally, municipal solid trash generation amounts to 2.01bn metric tons yearly; by 2050, this amount is predicted to rise to 3.4 billion metric tons, an increase of about 70 percent. At roughly 7.9bn people currently, the world's population is increasing rapidly. Deforestation is a major anthropogenic cause behind a deteriorating environment. Reasons for deforestation include farming, construction, settlement, mining, or other economic purposes. For more than a century, the number of trees on the planet has been plummeting, resulting in devastating consequences such as biodiversity loss, soil erosion, species extinction, global warming, and interference with the water cycle. Human actions like deforestation have altered and damaged more than 75 percent of the Earth's surface. Every year between 2010 and 2015 saw the destruction of 12 million hectares of forest, representing a 22.58 percent reduction from 1990 to 2010 in that time. Per global statistics, 2,400 trees are cut down every minute. While it is quite tough to survive in a polluted environment, polluted environments have also become insignificant in value because pollution makes it harsh for sustainability of biotic and abiotic components. In addition to other natural processes, pollution affects the chemical makeup of lands, soil, ocean water, subsurface water, and rocks. Natural resources are being used up by people at a rate that is almost two times faster than their capacity to replenish, according to research. Natural habitats and ecosystems are harmed by uncontrolled conversion of land into urban settings, mining regions, home development projects, office buildings, shopping centers, industrial sites, parking lots and other structures. According to the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), 33 percent of farmland is utilized for the production of animal feed, while 26 percent of the world's ice-free terrain is used for grazing cattle. Together, these two factors pose a serious threat to biodiversity and improper land use. Already, they have led to the loss and destruction of millions of acres of natural environment. More than 30 percent of the world's reefs have been impacted by increasing temperatures, according to the UN Environment Program, which also revealed that between 2009 and 2018, the globe lost roughly 11,700 square kilometers of coral, or 14 percent of the total. Coral reefs are home to about 25 percent of fish in the ocean, as well as many other species. It is predicted that this valuable natural resource will completely disappear within the next 80 years. Deteriorating condition of Earth has affected us all—from tiny to huge things, both living and nonliving. Scarcity of essentials like water and food has hit humanity hard. Worsening air and water quality has caused a myriad of diseases and taken millions of lives. Landfills increase the risk of hazardous materials getting into the food chain which causes biomagnification and the ultimate risk of developing chronic diseases. Environmental deterioration has affected natural processes such as the water cycle and the normal processes of animal and plant activities. Continued destruction of wild forests and damage to natural ecosystems have greatly contributed to mass extinction of species, resulting in biodiversity loss. Nature is the primary source of all the necessities for the nourishment of all living beings. From the food we eat, the clothes we wear, and the house we live in, nature is the sole provider. Everything that makes our surroundings so lovely and captivating—trees, flowers, landscapes, insects, sunlight, breeze—is a product of nature. Nature not only offers us company; it also offers us a sense of direction. Afforestation, sustainable development and decreased reliance on coal, fossil fuel and firewood can be some of the measures in that direction. Switching more and more to non-conventional sources of energy like the sun, biogas and wind can go a long way in controlling global warming and healing Planet Earth. Successive generations will suffer if we don't protect the environment. For our own good, we ought to take care of it. While individual efforts may fall short, we can achieve much by joining hands. Summing up, time is running out to save the only living planet. Let’s join hands and act before it’s too late. The author is currently pursuing Bachelor’s degree study at Institute of Forestry, Pokhara Campus.