o Eg: Spread of Varroa mite in Kerala weakened honeybee colonies, reducing cross-
pollination efficiency (Kerala Agri University, 2023).
5. Weak policy and data deficits: Lack of species-specific conservation policies and poor monitoring
of insect diversity.
o Eg: India’s National Pollinator Policy still under draft stage (as of 2025), with no dedicated
funding in the Union Budget.
Measures to make agricultural landscapes pollinator-friendly
1. Agroecological zoning and floral diversification: Promoting intercropping and flowering
hedgerows to support pollinators.
o Eg: Sikkim Organic Mission integrates wildflower buffer zones, improving bee activity by
38% (MoAFW, 2024).
2. Integrated Pest Management (IPM) and biopesticides: Reduces toxic exposure while maintaining
crop protection.
o Eg: Punjab’s KVKs introduced Neem-based biopesticides in sugarcane, reducing chemical
pesticide use by 40% (ICAR Annual Report, 2023).
3. Restoring native habitat corridors: Linking Forest patches to allow seasonal pollinator movement
and nesting.
o Eg: Western Ghats Pollinator Corridor Project, backed by MoEFCC, has restored over
150 ha of native flora.
4. Community-led conservation models: Engaging farmer groups and local cooperatives in pollinator
conservation.
o Eg: Apicoop, Chile and Keystone Foundation, Tamil Nadu enable tribal beekeeping
cooperatives, promoting sustainable livelihoods.
5. Citizen science and pollinator monitoring networks: Increases local awareness and supports data-
driven policy.
o Eg: National Pollinator Monitoring Programme (Proposed by NBAIR, 2024) aims to
track insect diversity across 100 agro-climatic zones.
Conclusion:
Securing tropical pollinators is central to ecological stability and food security. A shift from extractive
farming to biodiversity-inclusive landscapes offers the most sustainable path forward.
Q. “Wetland conservation is no longer a luxury but a necessity in developing economies”.
Illustrate with examples how wetlands contribute to climate resilience. Analyse why their
neglect persists despite their known benefits. (10 M)
Introduction
Wetlands act as nature’s shock absorbers, offering frontline defence against climate risks. Their preservation
is critical for balancing ecological stability and human survival in vulnerable economies.
Body
Wetlands contribute to climate resilience
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1. Flood regulation and disaster buffering: Wetlands absorb excess rainfall and act as sponges,
reducing flood peaks and storm surges.
o Eg: Kafue Flats, Zambia reactivated natural flooding through a $300K restoration,
shielding local communities and enhancing water regulation.
2. Carbon sequestration and climate mitigation: Peatlands and marshes store vast amounts of
carbon, slowing climate change.
o Eg: Cuvette Centrale, Congo Basin holds over 30 billion tonnes of carbon, acting as a
global carbon sink.
3. Water security in arid zones: Wetlands recharge aquifers and provide steady water flows during
droughts.
o Eg: Hadejia-Nguru wetlands, Nigeria sustain dry-season agriculture and water availability
in northern semi-arid regions.
4. Biodiversity and ecosystem support: Wetlands offer climate-resilient habitats critical to species
survival.
o Eg: Okavango Delta, Botswana, a UNESCO site, hosts over 1,300 species, ensuring food-
web stability.
5. Livelihood and food security: Wetlands underpin rural incomes via fisheries, farming, and eco-
tourism.
o Eg: Post-restoration, Zambia’s artisanal fisheries revived to generate $30 million/year,
benefitting over a million people.
Why their neglect persists despite known benefits
1. Weak integration in economic accounting: Wetlands are absent from national GDP and budget
frameworks.
o Eg: Only 3% of African nations incorporate ecosystem service valuation in national
accounting. (Source: UNEP, 2024)
2. Unregulated urban expansion: Encroachment and infrastructure projects destroy wetlands.
o Eg: Nairobi River Basin wetlands were replaced by roads and housing, increasing urban
flood vulnerability. (Source: Kenyan Ministry of Environment, 2023)
3. Low institutional and policy priority: Fragmented governance leads to implementation paralysis.
o Eg: Over 50% of African Ramsar nations lack national wetland strategies. (Source: GWO,
2025)
4. Inadequate funding and technical support: Investments don’t match ecological losses.
o Eg: Despite proven benefits, Kafue Flats received only $300K for restoration. (Source:
AfDB, 2025)
5. Community alienation from governance: Centralised policies ignore local stewardship.
o Eg: Unlike India’s FRA, 2006, most African nations don’t empower communities to co-
manage wetlands.
Conclusion
Wetland conservation must shift from reactive tokenism to proactive climate strategy. Recognising wetlands
as developmental assets can anchor both ecological stability and inclusive growth.
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