Sensitive handling of change is particularly important where public agencies take over
informal community management systems for wetlands, in order not to alienate local populations.
If customary users are evicted from wetlands without viable alternatives being provided, this is
likely to increase pressure on marginal land and degrade the wetland in question. As mentioned
earlier, security of tenure and access are of great importance for wise use in a long-term context.
This should be supported by appropriate incentives and access to institutional credit for investment
in wetland managemen