Water, wetlands and life are inseparable

According to WWF's "Living Planet Report" in September 2020, freshwater biodiversity is declining faster than that of oceans or forests. The average abundance of the world's freshwater species populations has declined by 84% since 1970.  On the other hand, nearly 90% of the world's wetlands have been destroyed since 1700.

Yet, the loss of freshwater leads to the loss of the species that live there, which impacts the lives and jobs of communities that make a living from freshwater fishing, for example. Wetlands irrigate rice paddies, provide and purify our water.

In total, Madagascar is home to 21 wetlands of international importance listed in the Ramsar Convention. On February 2, 2021, we celebrated World Wetlands Day under the theme "Inseparable. Water, wetlands and life".