Status of wetlands valleyed in a hilly region of North East India - A review

A key to future sustenance of human societies lies in the sustainable management and wise use of Wetlands. Wetlands are frequently referred to as Kidneys of Landscape; are amongst the most productive ecosystems on the earth and any alterations might lead to changes in their bio-physical, socio-economic and climatic conditions. Due to various factors like rapid urbanization, industrialization and agricultural activities; Wetland ecosystems become the most threatened of all environmental resources on earth. The call for its protection gained in early 1960’s globally. However, in India, the momentum for its protection gained only in late 1980’s. In order to make effort to restore and protect such degraded Wetlands, its extensive study is required in terms of its ecological changes with its areal extent. There is a huge gap of scientific study about the Wetlands in India especially in this study region (Manipur) and eventually people could not recognise the importance of Wetland services given to mankind. Therefore, this study is aimed at reporting the status of Wetland exists in Manipur (a small state of North-Eastern India surrounded by hilly terrains) as a first step for further studies. The lack of scientific studies about the Wetlands in this particular study region is also reported in this paper.   Key words: Wetlands, Manipur, Sangai, status of wetlands, review, lakes, hilly terrains.