The Preservation of Asian Wetlands Birds and their Problems

Abstract

As man continues to destroy the resources of the planet at an alarming rate, conservationists have come to realise that preserving large tracts of land or specific animal species is seldom a practical proposition. Emphasis is increasingly being placed on the sustainable use of natural resources. Wetlands are among the world's most productive ecosystems, and can be of benefit to both Homo sapiens and other species. In tropical and subtropical Asia they play a crucial role in the migration patterns of birds, offering wintering grounds to some, while others use them to rest and refuel during their long flights. Man benefits from the wetlands in terms of water conservation and purification, flood control, stabilisation of shorelines and timber and food production. Over two-thirds of the world's fish harvest is linked to the health of wetland areas. Yet we continue to destroy or modify these valuable assets. Wetlands in Vietnam, China, Hong Kong and India are under discussion here. In two cases they have been completely destroyed, owing to the iniquities of war and the hunger for agricultural land, and subsequently restored. All have been dramatically modified, and are subject to other threats such as land reclamation, pollution and drought caused by deforestation of surrounding areas. Meanwhile, as other wetlands in the region fall victim to man's shortsightedness, increasing numbers of birds are obliged to rely on those which remain. Some of these bird species are highly endangered, and the conservation of their habitat has become crucial to their survival. They may provide a useful figurehead for conservation efforts, but we should no longer consider saving a single species a sufficient goal. Both the wildlife and its human neighbours should be able to share the benefits bestowed by healthy wetlands.