Wetlands Resources

Wetlands are one of the world's most important environmental assets which provide homes for large, diverse biota as well as significant economic, social and cultural benefits related to timber, fisheries, hunting, recreational and tourist activities. They support the livelihoods of surrounding communities, including water, papyrus and fisheries among others, and provide vital ecosystem services such as purification and storage of water. It also acts as a carbon sink, thus regulating global and local climatic conditions and is internationally recognized as a key biodiversity area that hosts globally and nationally threatened bird, fish and mammal species. The wetland has attracted both local farmers and external agricultural interests. Wetlands constitute an important resource for riparian communities, and therefore it is important that they participate in the management of wetlands. Community participation in natural resource management has evolved from the realization that people living with natural resources should be responsible for their management and benefit from using the resources. Citizens must not only have access to information but must also be entitled to participate in decision-making and have access to justice in environmental matters.