Kuldeep Singh Rautela

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.

The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN‐SDGs) are strongly supported by sustainable tourism, which reduces environmental impacts while boosting local economies and social welfare. The Lolab Valley in northern Kashmir, India, presents a unique case study due to its exceptional natural and cultural landscape. Using a literature‐based qualitative synthesis of studies published between 2015 and 2024, this study examines the potential of sustainable tourism in Lolab to advance key SDGs, including Decent Work and Economic Growth (SDG 8), Sustainable Cities and Communities (SDG 11), and Life on Land (SDG 15). We evaluate how initiatives such as sacred grove conservation, homestays, guided tours, and craft markets create jobs and enable inclusive growth in support of SDG 8. We also show how tourism can sustain cultural heritage and traditional practices, thereby reinforcing SDG 11. To advance SDG 15, environmental measures, including eco‐accommodation, improved waste management, and protection of sacred groves, help maintain ecosystem integrity and biodiversity. By adopting these practices, ecotourism in the Lolab Valley strengthens local livelihood security and offers lessons for other environmentally fragile regions. Overall, the valley exemplifies how tourism can foster a more equitable and sustainable future through community engagement, cultural preservation, and environmental stewardship. This article outlines concrete strategies to support these outcomes.