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The Asian Wetland Inventory

A standardised protocol for wetland inventory has been developed through the Asian Wetland Inventory (AWI) in order to provide an information resource for the assessment and monitoring of wetlands. It builds on past inventory protocols that have been successfully developed. It has also provided support for the development of the Ramsar Framework for Inventory. The main results to be achieved through this programme are:

Increased awareness of the importance of wetlands and the need for a standardised inventory among relevant national government agencies across Asia.
A dynamic and standardised Geographical Information System (GIS) integrated database providing core data/ information on Asian wetlands to guide and support planning and conservation efforts by national governments, International Conventions, NGOs and others.
A strengthened network of trained personnel in techniques and skills required for implementation of the AWI at national and local level.
Established national inventory programmes and databases in all participating nations.
Established network of regional training programmes in wetland inventory
A monitoring programme for regular revision and updating information on wetlands of national and international importance in Asia.

To our donors and partners - Thanks for your support
The AWI is an initiative by Wetlands International, The National Centre for Tropical Wetland Research (NCTWR), Wetland Inventory Monitoring Specialist Group (WIMSG), The Japanese National Institute for the Environment Studies (NIES), The Hokkaido Institute of Environment Studies (HIES) and a range of other partners.

The progress made on the AWI thus far would not have been possible without the support of the donor agencies and partners. Ministry of the Environment Japan has played an instrumental role in providing financial support for the AWI since its inception in the year 1999. In November 2001, a grant was obtained from the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs (DGIS) to develop the programme further. Other agencies that have contributed to the AWI initiative include the Japan Fund for Global Environment (JFGE) and the AEON Foundation.

The Convention on Wetlands (Ramsar, Iran, 1971) recognises the importance of comprehensive national inventory as the vital basis for many activities necessary for achieving the wise use of wetlands, including policy development, identification and designation of Ramsar sites, documentation of wetland losses, and identification and designation of Ramsar sites, documentation of wetland losses and identification of wetlands with potential for restoration. It also encourages the collection of information for the management of shared wetlands, including those within river basins and / or coastal zones. Theme 1 of the Convention’s draft Strategic Plan 2003 – 2008 is devoted to wetland inventory and assessment, with a series of concrete actions to achieve its Operational Objective.

Two key resolutions that relate to wetland inventory are: