Over the last twenty years, a consensus has gradually evolved that long-term conservation depends
on understanding and support from those closely connected to wetlands and their resources. All
stakeholders, from policy makers to local communities, need to understand the endowment and
value of the water resources they rely on and learn how to manage human needs without
jeopardizing biological diversity. Economic, legal and policy measures cannot be effective without
wider public support which should strengthen the will and ability of civil society to ac