Freshwater and Wetlands

There are numerous threats that loom over the future of rivers in India, pollution being the chief among them.

The increase in pollution is leading to the destruction of the habitat of various species inhabiting the waterways. WWF-India's Freshwater and Wetlands programme (FWP) is one of the largest of its kind in the country.

Increasing competition for water among various sectors: agriculture, industry, domestic, drinking, energy generation and others, is depleting this precious natural resource and, thus, demands conservation attention.

These emerging issues have led to the expansion of focus of WWF-India’s Wetlands programme from its primary concern of wetlands conservation to the larger realm of Freshwater and Wetlands conservation.

Conservation and sustainable utilisation of freshwater and wetland resources, is targeted by WWF-India by taking up demonstrative field projects, increasing public awareness, improving information base, and by developing improved management techniques and integrated policies.

The vision and objective of the programme is embodied in the following phrase:

'India's freshwater resources and wetlands are sustainably managed for biodiversity conservation and human well-being'.