Ramsar sites

Os ecossistemas de águas continentais – incluindo lagos, rios e córregos, bem como áreas úmidas como brejos e turfeiras – estão entre os mais ameaçados do planeta. Desde 1970, as populações monitoradas de espécies de água doce registraram uma diminuição média de 85%, superando significativamente o ritmo de declínio das espécies marinhas e terrestres. Atualmente, quase um terço das espécies de água doce enfrenta risco iminente de extinção.

Les écosystèmes d’eaux intérieures — tels que les lacs, les fleuves, rivières et ruisseaux, les marais et les tourbières — figurent parmi les plus menacés de la planète. Depuis 1970, les populations suivies d'espèces d'eau douce ont reculé en moyenne de 85 %, un rythme bien plus rapide que celui observé dans les milieux marins et terrestres, et près d'une espèce sur trois est aujourd’hui menacée d'extinction.

Inland waters – such as rivers, lakes and other wetlands – are among the most biodiverse ecosystems on the planet. They are also the most threatened; almost one in three species is at risk of extinction and monitored populations of freshwater species have declined by 85% since 1970. The loss of these ecosystems has cascading effects on human livelihoods, cultures and our overall well-being.

A natural depression that was converted into a wetland and water fowl refuge in the 1700s by the then rulers of Bharatpur, Keoladeo National Park has established itself as one of the most famous bird sanctuaries in the world. But despite its elevated status and the protection afforded to it, the park has not been without its problems.