Environmental Science student Prashant Kumar Raut of the University of Delhi has raised concerns over the accelerating destruction of wetlands and their growing importance in the face of climate change.
In his article, “Wetlands: The Protectors We Keep Destroying,” Raut highlights how ponds, marshes, swamps, floodplains and mangroves act as natural sponges, absorbing excess water during heavy rainfall and releasing it during dry periods. They also filter water, store carbon, support biodiversity and provide food and livelihoods for communities.
Raut warns that climate change, urban development, agricultural drainage, pollution, roads and dams are weakening these vital ecosystems. The loss of wetlands can increase flooding, reduce groundwater supplies and threaten communities that depend on them.
Drawing on his academic background in ecology, climate dynamics, conservation, natural hazards and wetlands, Raut emphasizes that protecting wetlands is not simply about saving nature—it is essential for water security, disaster protection and climate resilience.His message is clear: wetlands should not be treated as worthless land. They are natural defences that protect people, support ecosystems and help secure our future.
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