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Over the past three weeks this column has discussed the ecosystem known as wetlands.  We have described the type of wetlands that are present in Swaziland, and shown that the values of wetlands cannot be overstated; they provide drinking water, fisheries, and other natural resources.  However it is clear that wetlands are under more threat now than ever before: drainage and irrigation, over-exploitation of resources, erosion and over-grazing are all damaging the delicate balance of our wetland sites.  As well as irreversible biodiversity loss, this is having a huge impact on our water supplies, economic livelihoods and health.

River Basin Management
The wetlands ecosystem is incredibly diverse and is defined not only by rivers, floodplains and the surrounding area, but also by the human inhabitants who live and work amongst the wetland.  As a whole, this is known as the river basin or watershed. 

The problem with wetlands having so many components is that there is often a sectoral approach to their management, where different authorities or agencies have responsibility for controlling different wetland elements, such as water supply, flood control, ecological management and human settlement.  This can lead to ineffective results and damage to wetlands.

Integrated River Basin Management is a tool that can address the conflicting policies, laws and practices of this sectoral approach.  IRBM is where the basin is managed as an integral unit that balances economic, social and ecological needs in a sustainable manner.  IRBM also acknowledges the role in local and indigenous people in wetlands management.  These people have distinct knowledge, experience and aspirations in relation to wetlands that can be applied through participation in development of wetlands policies, as well as in day-to-day wetlands management.

The Ramsar Convention
Another mechanism recognised internationally as a means of conserving wetlands is the "Convention on Wetlands of International Importance", commonly known as the "Ramsar Convention", which was drawn up in the city of Ramsar in Iran in 1971.

The Ramsar Convention provides the framework for national action and international cooperation for the conservation and sustainable use of wetlands and their resources.  It covers all aspects of wetland conservation and sustainable use, and recognises wetlands as being important for the well being of human communities as well as for biodiversity conservation in general.  The main aims of the Convention are to prevent the loss and degradation of wetlands worldwide and to ensure that they are used wisely and sustainably, while conserving their biodiversity values and ecosystem services.

Swaziland is not yet a Party to the Ramsar Convention, this is an unfortunate situation given the threats facing wetlands in the country.  In total 142 nations have signed up to the Convention including other SADC countries such as South Africa, Mozambique, Botswana and Namibia.  Yonge Nawe encourages the appropriate government departments and Ministers to take timely steps to sign up to ratify and implement this important Convention.

Membership of the Ramsar Convention would facilitate the development of national policies, actions and legislation to ensure best use if made of the Kingdom’s wetlands.  Becoming a Party to Ramsar would also bring increased publicity and prestige for wetlands in Swaziland, and would increase possibilities for financial and other support for conservation and sustainable use measures to ensure Swaziland’s wetlands are preserved for the benefit of all.

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