Today was Earth Day, but a vital part of Assam's natural landscape had nothing to rejoice amid the customary functions and meets. Missing from the Earth Day celebrations was any information about the status of the region's wetlands, even though they sustain large communities and play a major role in environmental security. Leave aside the protected areas, the entire stretches of Brahmaputra and Barak valleys lie dotted with thousands of wetlands around which have grown numerous settlements. They are also home to a range of plants and animals some of which constitute parts of the local diet. Unfortunately the wetlands of Assam are among the areas worst hit by human intervention. Many of the major wetlands have been filled up and encroached, some others transformed into refuge dumps, while others have seen their inflow of fresh water substantially reduced. Even a Ramsar site like Deepor Beel has been degraded by anthropogenic factors. Senior academic and noted environmentalist Dr PC Bhattacharya, deploring the poor condition of the wetlands mentioned that both the people and the Government have not realised the vast potential of the areas. According to Dr Bhattacharya, "the productivity of a wetland is seven to eight times more compared to a forest, supports more life forms, which even translates into better econmic benefits.' Wetlands act as a perennial source of water for agriculture and sanitation for neighbouring settlements. In large areas of Assam, wetlands with their huge reservoir of fish, provide the only affordable diet of protein. Communities too have survived near large wetlands with fishing as their sole mode of livelihood. Scientific studies have further pointed out the role of wetlands in maintaining adequate ground water levels and promoting the growth of diverse flora dependent by generating soil moisture, he mentioned. In some cases, large wetlands have helped moderate the microclimate of surrounding areas. With the sheer amount of water wedded to the effects of insolation, local air circulation can take place. A peculiar phenomenon in Assam is the crucial position wetlands occupy in the annual migration of birds. In at least one hundred known wetlands of Assam, migratory birds take residence during winter, an event not observed in most other states of the country. In many places of the globe wetlands have been protected and managed with great care, revealed Dr Bhattacharya, who found it hard that Assam Government has still not recognised the need to conserve its wetlands. Dr Bhattacharya is one of those who believe that the State Government must formulate and adopt a Wetland Policy, and ensure its proper implementation. Such a move would have a great effect not just on future environmental security, but also act as a lifeline to numerous people whose lives depend on wetlands.