Peatland Conservation

• 26 Feb 2025

For Prelims: Peatlands, Wetlands, Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules, 2017, carbon sequestration 

For Mains: National Wetland Inventory & Assessment, Significance of Wetlands, Challenges in Wetland Conservation  

Source: DTE 

Why in News? 

A recent study has highlighted the alarming state of under-protection of peatlands, which are crucial for carbon storage and climate regulation. 

What are the Key Highlights of the Study About Peatland? 

• Limited Protection: Only 17% of global peatlands are under legal protection, far less than other critical ecosystems such as mangroves (42%) and saltmarshes (50%) and tropical forests (38%). 
• High Human Pressure: Around 22% of global peatlands face high human pressure (mainly in Europe and US). 
• Freshwater Security and Biodiversity: Peatlands contain 10% of the world’s unfrozen freshwater and support diverse ecosystems. 
• Indigenous Role in Conservation: 27% of global peatlands are on indigenous people’s land, where traditional conservation practices have led to better ecosystem preservation, yet 85% remain outside formal conservation frameworks. 
• Carbon Storage and Climate Impact: Peatlands store 600 gigatonnes of carbon, more than all the world’s forests combined, but, when degraded they release CO₂, 2-5% of annual human-driven greenhouse gas emissions. 

What are Peatlands? 

• About: 
  • Peatlands are terrestrial wetland ecosystems characterized by waterlogged conditions that prevent complete decomposition of plant material, leading to the accumulation of peat (type of soil). 
  • They store more carbon than any other terrestrial ecosystem, making them crucial for climate regulation. 
• Global Distribution:  
  • Peatlands cover approximately 4.23 million km² (2.84% of Earth's terrestrial surface) and are found in every climatic zone. 
  • Canada, Russia, Indonesia, the US and Brazil contain 70% of global peatlands. 

• Types: 
  • Northern and Temperate Peatlands: Predominantly found in Europe, North America, and Russia, formed under high precipitation and low temperature conditions. 
  • Tropical Peatlands: Found in Southeast Asia, Central and South America, Africa, and Australasia, often associated with rainforests and mangroves. 
• Significance: 
  • Water Security & Disaster Risk Reduction: Peatlands play a crucial role in regulating water flows, mitigating floods, droughts, and seawater intrusion. 
    • Healthy peatlands (soggy and spongy) help lower temperatures, prevent wildfires, and naturally filter water for safe drinking, while poor drainage leads to water pollution. 
  • Biodiversity Conservation: Peatlands are biodiversity hotspots, supporting endangered species like the Bornean orangutan.  
    • They also preserve archaeological and ecological records such as pollen data and ancient artefacts. 
  • Preventing Zoonotic Disease Risk: Peatland degradation increases human-wildlife interaction, raising the risk of zoonotic diseases like Ebola and HIV/AIDS (originating from Congo's peatlands).  
    • Biodiversity loss also fuels vector-borne diseases like malaria and dengue. 
  • Livelihoods & Economic Importance: They support local economies, traditional knowledge, and cultural heritage by providing food, fibre, and raw materials.

Read More:  

• What are Wetlands? 
• What is the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands? 

What are the Challenges in Peatland Conservation? 

• Weak Legal Protection: Only 17% of global peatlands are under legal protection. 
  • Weak enforcement, bureaucratic delays, and competing interests hinder restoration efforts. 
• Economic Exploitation: Peatlands face large-scale drainage for cash crops (palm oil, rice), industrial agriculture, forestry, and peat extraction, while urbanization and infrastructure expansion drive irreversible degradation. 
• Climate Change & Natural Degradation: Rising temperatures and droughts accelerate peatland drying, increasing wildfires and CO₂ emissions, while human activities further disrupt their ecosystem balance. 
• Financial Constraints: Limited funding for conservation and short-term economic priorities often lead to unsustainable land use, undermining restoration efforts. 
• Weak Indigenous Land Rights: Over 85% of peatlands on indigenous peoples’ lands are not part of other protected areas.  
  • Limited awareness and research gaps further hinder effective policy measures. 

Way Forward 

• Protect & Sustain: Stop harmful activities like draining and converting peatlands for farming while promoting sustainable peatland management to ensure long-term carbon sequestration. 
• Restoration & Rewetting: Replenish water levels to revive peatlands, making them effective for storing carbon and reducing emissions sustainably. 
• Policy & Legal Framework: Establish clear national and global targets for peatland restoration, include them in climate action plans under the Paris Agreement, and strengthen laws to prevent further damage. 
• Standardized Definitions: Adopt globally consistent definitions of peatlands prioritizing conservation, restoration, and sustainable management over industrial interests. 
• Global Cooperation & Knowledge Sharing: Strengthen international efforts under UNEP, FAO, Ramsar Convention, and IUCN to map, protect, and restore peatlands, monitor emissions, and engage local communities for sustainable management. 
• Inclusion in Climate Agreements: Recognize peatlands as vital ecosystems in global climate and biodiversity frameworks and incorporate their restoration into national climate action plans under the UNFCCC.

Drishti Mains Question:

Peatlands are vital for climate regulation and biodiversity but face degradation due to weak protection and exploitation. Discuss their significance and suggest measures for sustainable conservation

UPSC Civil Services Examination Previous Year Question (PYQ)  

Prelims

Q. If a wetland of international importance is brought under the ‘Montreux Record’, what does it imply? (2014)

(a) Changes in ecological character have occurred, are occurring or are likely to occur in the wetland as a result of human interference.  

(b) The country in which the wetland is located should enact a law to prohibit any human activity within five kilometers from the edge of the wetland.  

(c) The survival of the wetland depends on the cultural practices and traditions of certain communities living in its vicinity and therefore the cultural diversity therein should not be destroyed.  

(d) It is given the status of ‘World Heritage Site.’  

Ans: (a)

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Mains

Q. What is wetland? Explain the Ramsar concept of ‘wise use’ in the context of wetland conservation. Cite two examples of Ramsar sites from India. (2018)