Climate Change, Wetland Resilience, and the Sustainable Development Goals in Central India: Implications for Water Security and Adaptation Policy

Abstract

Inland wetlands across Central India represent a critical nexus between monsoon-driven hydrology, climate variability, and intensifying anthropogenic pressures. Yet, their contribution to regional water security and climate resilience remains insufficiently quantified. This study presents a structured narrative synthesis of climate change impacts on wetlands in Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh by integrating hydrological observations, biodiversity assessments, greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, land-use dynamics, and reservoir sedimentation studies. Regional warming and increasing variability in monsoon rainfall are altering wetland hydroperiods, intensifying evapotranspiration, and disrupting sediment–nutrient interactions that regulate wetland functioning. Empirical observations from Ramsar wetlands and major reservoirs reveal widespread ecological degradation. Methane emissions exceeding 160 mg m−2 h−1 have been reported in shallow wetlands, while reservoir systems exhibit significant storage losses due to sedimentation. Despite these pressures, wetlands such as Bhoj, Yashwant Sagar, Tawa, and Ravishankar Sagar continue to sustain domestic water supply, irrigation, fisheries, and migratory bird habitats. However, rapid urban expansion and catchment alteration increasingly undermine their buffering capacity. Strengthening wetland resilience through basin-scale, integrated management approaches is essential to support water security and advance Sustainable Development Goals on clean water, climate action, and ecosystem conservation. These approaches should incorporate climate projections, continuous monitoring, and coordinated governance to improve decision-making and long-term sustainability. © 2026 ERP Environment and John Wiley & Sons Ltd.