Natural Solutions and Innovations Help Conserve Wetlands in Belarus

Every year on February 2, the world celebrates International Day of Wetlands. Wetlands are as important to nature and humans as they are vulnerable. Their area is shrinking three times faster than the area of forests. Since 1970, the planet has lost 35% of all wetlands.

Great attention is paid to the conservation of swamps and the restoration of degraded and disturbed peatlands in Belarus. Belarus is one of the leaders in peatland restoration in Europe. Peat bogs occupy about 23% of the country’s territory.

In order to preserve and sustainable use of wetlands, in addition to swamping disturbed peatlands, a number of innovative natural solutions are being implemented in Belarus:

• unique technology of sowing marsh plants;
• controlled (winter) burning of dry vegetation;
• introduction of technology for the sustainable use of floodplain meadows for haymaking with the collection of biomass;
• recreating sustainable grazing food chains;
• translocation of wild animal species.

The restoration and conservation of wetlands makes an important contribution to the achievement by the Republic of Belarus of Sustainable Development Goals 13, 15 and other SDGs.

More information on the conservation and sustainable use of wetlands in Belarus can be found at: https://www.by.undp.org/content/belarus/ru/home/presscenter/articles/nature_solutions_for_wetlands.html?fbclid=IwAR1MH7oBA1gRQIbyP254Y0v-jZwlaubfTR2CPV_GMRRY18jc7MZE_RumRd8.