There is a global concern regarding the disappearance of wetlands over the last century.
The Spokesperson of the Ministry of Environment, Forestry, and Tourism says wetlands have been disappearing at an alarming rate of three times faster than forests.
Wetlands are characterised by ecosystems that are primarily covered with water.
These can be both freshwater, marine, or coastal, and even man-made sites such as rice paddies, reservoirs, saltpans, and fishponds.
Romeo Muyunda says that in the last century, over half of all wetlands have been lost, many drained or filled in for agricultural land and human settlement, while vital floodplains have been lost due to the canalization of rivers.
The damage, he says, continues in many wetlands, including the Orange River Mouth on the Montreux Record.
The Montreux Record is a list of important international wetlands threatened by human activity.
These threats include wetland habitat loss, overuse of wetland resources, alien plant invasions, pollution, and agricultural runoff containing pesticides, herbicides, and fertiliser.
He, therefore, called on people to get actively involved in conserving healthy wetlands and restoring the damaged ones, as wetlands provide water and food, and their healthy, well-vegetated floodplains can protect against floods.
Adding to that, they are essential for the livelihoods of people living along them and are also a tourist attraction.
Muyunda also revealed that Namibia has designated five of its wetlands as Wetlands of International Importance, or, as they are commonly known, Ramsar Sites.
Three are at the coast: the Walvis Bay wetlands, the Sandwich Harbour wetlands, and the Orange River Mouth, and two are inland: the Etosha Pan and the Bwabwata Okavango Ramsar Site.
At present, discussions are underway to add a sixth, the Bushmanland pans, including the Nyae Nyae pan.
Every February 2, the world observes World Wetland Day to raise awareness about the importance of wetlands for human lives and the planet.
This year, Namibia will jointly commemorate World Wetland Day and World Water Day in Opuwo from March 4 to 7.