GARDEN ROUTE NEWS - The Garden Route District Municipality joined the global commemoration of World Wetlands Day on Tuesday 3 January.
The day is an international observance dedicated to raising awareness of the critical importance of wetlands and the urgent need to protect and conserve these irreplaceable ecosystems.
World Wetlands Day is observed annually to highlight the essential role wetlands play in sustaining life on Earth.
Wetlands are areas of land that are permanently or seasonally saturated with water and include ecosystems such as marshes, swamps, bogs and mangroves.
Despite covering only about six percent of the Earth’s surface, wetlands support a remarkably high level of biodiversity and provide vital ecosystem services that benefit both nature and people.
These ecosystems play a crucial role in regulating the climate by storing carbon dioxide and reducing the impacts of climate change.
Wetlands also act as natural water filters, removing pollutants and sediments before they enter rivers, lakes and oceans. In addition, they help reduce flooding, recharge groundwater supplies and provide essential habitats for a wide range of plant and animal species.
World Wetlands Day also serves as a call to action encouraging governments, organisations and communities to promote the conservation and sustainable use of wetlands. Protecting wetlands is key to achieving several of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, including those related to clean water, climate action and biodiversity conservation.
The Garden Route District Municipality remains committed to protecting the valuable wetland systems within the district. Currently, the municipality is reviewing its Garden Route District Wetland Strategy and Action Plan, previously known as the Eden District Wetland Strategy and Action Plan.
This strategy will guide local municipalities in implementing priority wetland projects and initiatives aimed at improving ecosystem functioning and enhancing the services wetlands provide.
As part of the World Wetlands Day commemoration, residents are encouraged to contribute to wetland protection by reducing pollution, managing waste responsibly, supporting conservation initiatives, and spreading awareness about the importance of wetlands.
Through collective effort, these vital ecosystems can be safeguarded for the benefit of current and future generations.
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