KATHMANDU: Today marks the observance of World Wetlands Day 2025, with the theme ‘Protecting Wetlands for Our Common Future.’

This annual observance aims to highlight the critical need for wetland conservation and restoration, while also addressing the increasing threat of wetland degradation.

In 2021, the United Nations formally declared February 2 as World Wetlands Day to honor the adoption of the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands in 1971.

The Convention encourages nations to take essential measures for the conservation and sustainable use of their wetlands through protected area declarations, effective policy implementation, and knowledge sharing.

So far, 172 countries have ratified the convention, requiring them to designate at least one wetland of international importance, known as a Ramsar site.

Nepal is home to several Ramsar sites, including Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve, Rara Lake, Mai Pokhari, Phoksundo Lake, Bisahajari Lake, Ghodaghodi Lake, Gosainkunda Lake, Gokyo Lake, Jagdishpur Reservoir, and a group of nine lakes in Pokhara Valley.

Wetlands occupy about five percent (819,277 hectares) of Nepal’s total land area.