Global Wetland Outlook Report, first-ever global report on the state of the world's wetlands, was released by the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands.
The report states that,
Approximately 35% of the world’s wetlands have been lost in 45 years between 1970-2015.
Average annual rate of loss of wetlands is 0.78% a year, which is presenting “severe consequences” for future.
Wetlands loss is 3 times faster than the average annual rate of natural forest loss between 1990-2015 at 0.24% a year threatening fresh water supplies.
More than 80% of waste water is released into wetlands without adequate treatment.
Reasons for loss of wetlands are,
Climate change, Population increase, Urbanisation (particularly of coastal zones and river deltas).
Changing consumption patterns fuelled changes to land and water use and to agriculture.