Until recently wetlands were considered a source of pollution, foul smell and as unclean, swampy places providing a breeding place for mosquitoes. But, the concept on wetlands has been changed. They perform manifold functions in the maintenance of the ecological balance of a region. Being dynamic ecosystems, they sustain all life and perform some useful functions in the maintenance of overall balance of nature. Fulfilling the food and habitat requirements of various water birds is one of the most important functions performed by wetlands as it helps to maintain biodiversity globally. The cavity nesting birds plays an important role as bio-indicator of the terrestrial as well as aquatic ecosystems.

The Cotton Pygmy-goose uses the wetlands for foraging and uses tree holes for nesting purposes. The old-aged trees, nearby the wetlands are preferably selected so that they can release their young ones in the wetland where they can feed and utilizes the habitat area of the wetland. Protection and conservation of major wetlands and their nearby terrestrial habitat area, critically important to waterfowl on their tradition utilization of the wetlands, is the first priority.