State wetlands facing serious threats

[Guest guest]

Link: http://www.assamtribune.com/scripts/details.asp?id=jan3107/at07

 

State wetlands facing serious threats

 

By Prabal Kr Das

GUWAHATI Jan 30 – According to wildlife experts the number of

migratory birds in several wetlands of Asom have been low this

season. The reasons cited are last year's low rainfall, and more

dangerously – degradation of shallow water bodies on a large scale.

Low fish catch has also been reported from several wetlands situated

close to the major rivers of the State. Some have witnessed

siltation while parts of others have been encroached.

 

" It is a fact, the physical as well as chemical and biological

integrity of Asom's wetlands have been disturbed, and lack of birds

and fish are clear indicators, " said Dr PC Bhattacharya of Gauhati

University's Zoology Department.

 

The reality of shrinking and degrading wetlands, however, is not

confined to the Brahmaputra and Barak valleys of Asom. Across India,

wetlands are enduring an excruciating death due to human

intervention.

 

Recently at a workshop organized by the Tourism and Wildlife Society

of India and the American Embassy, noted expert on wetlands

Parikshit Gautam remarked, " It is an irony that wetlands which are

miracles of biodiversity and are of immense economic value are

facing grave threats in the country. "

 

Describing wetlands as " transitional land between terrestrial and

aquatic systems where water table is usually at or near the land

surface or the land is covered by shallow water, " he pointed out

that in India there was 7.58 million ha of wetlands out of which

3.56 million ha was fresh water wetlands (Space Applications Centre,

Ahmedabad data).

 

Gautam, the director of Freshwater and Wetlands Programme, WWF-

India, underlined the various functions of wetlands – water storage,

flood mitigation, ground water recharge, groundwater discharge,

water purification, retention of nutrients and sediments among

others.

 

Significantly, wetlands have a role in stabilizing local climate

conditions, and influencing temperature and rainfall. Such areas are

reservoirs of biodiversity and at the same time support the growth

of countless plant species. Some of India's most fertile tracts are

in close proximity to large wetlands.

 

Even though wetlands are among the most productive of areas, they

now face threats and disturbances. Urban sprawl, infrastructure

development, siltation, over-fishing, unregulated recreational

activity, pollution from human waste and industrial effluents, and

diversion of water for irrigation, domestic or industrial use have

contributed to the destruction of wetlands.

 

According to Gautam, one of the hurdles in the conservation of

wetlands is " too many authorities which have stakes in the same

area – like the Forest Department and the Fisheries Department

competing with the Urban Development Department over the same area. "

 

Of late there have been discussions on the need to have wetlands

policy by different Governments. But till date, even a wetland rich

State like Asom does not have a single authority to look after its

wetlands.

 

In Asom, wetlands are yet to receive due attention in spite of the

fact that 3,513 wetlands (more than 2.25 ha in size) cover 1,01,231

ha of land according to the Wetland Atlas of India. These areas

provide food and water security to several lakh people and offer

livelihood opportunities to many.

 

Speaking to The Assam Tribune, Director of the North East Space

Applications Centre, Dr KC Bhattacharya said that satellite imagery

has proved that various important wetlands are facing multiple

threats, most of which are human induced.

 

He noted that wetlands, which support a wide range of biodiversity

along with human activities in a state like Asom, needed better

protection. " There has been encroachment and pollution even in a

Ramsar site like Deepor Beel, while other human activities have led

to its overall degradation. It is time to realize the enormous value

of wetlands so that pragmatic steps could be taken to conserve them

for future generations, " he added.