Why Small Wetlands Of Uttarakhand Are Vanishing – Free PDF Download

• A decade back, large catches of fish from the Niranjanpur wetland in Dehradun would provide an additional income to the local community. Now, the wetland has lost most of its fishes and is dying
• Nearly 70 per cent of Uttarakhand’s wetlands have been destroyed over the years due to delayed conservation

• They are undervalued for their small size despite their substantial numbers and environmental benefits.
• Many of these wetlands disappear even before being recognised or documented as they are least protected under most environmental regulations.
• The 2.62 ha Niranjanpur pond, strangled by Dehradun’s mindless urbanisation, is facing a similar fate.

Wetland to wasteland

• Niranjanpur pond lies in a coveted real estate area of Dehradun city. The left-over construction material is dumped carelessly around the open pond.
• After rainfall, the runoff water mixes with the concrete and sweeps directly into the pond, increasing siltation on its base.
• Nutrient-rich wastewater from nearby areas get channelised into the pond. It causes dense overgrowth of water hyacinth and algae (eutrophication), worsening the water quality and killing its fish.
• Undergoing heavy eutrophication, the otherwise clear pond has turned green and is shrinking into a muddy bog.
• The Wetland (Conservation and Management) Rules, 2017 strictly prohibited disposal of construction and demolished waste within them, But unfortunately, the illegal acts continue.
• Niranjanpur pond also lacks a strongly defined boundary, paving way to its encroachment.
• Niranjanpur wetland is home to flocks of birds, insects, tadpoles, small fishes and mammals.
• It attracts tiny local birds to big migratory birds in winters. Common moorhen (jal murgi) swims in its water-pools, while the black kite preys across its waters.
• It also helps in groundwater recharge.
• In 2007, Dehradun’s city development plan decided to rejuvenate the pond as a Water Park to attract tourists. Under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission, the plan proposed releasing Rs 0.88 crores in Phase I (2006-13).
• But the plan did not translate into action.

• In January 2018, electric pumps were installed to suck water from its northern side to erect concrete bases for huge sewage lines.
• The excavated muck created stagnant water pools, attracting more dirt while the pumped water further dried the wetlands at different parts.
• Most of the wetlands in India 555,557 out of a total of 757,060 wetlands are small wetlands.
• These wetlands, irrespective of their size, support rich biodiversity, absorb carbon, replenish groundwater and prevent floods
• Small wetlands can have as much species diversity as large wetlands,

Ramsar Convention

• The Convention came in to force in 1975.
• The Convention’s mission is “the conservation and wise use of all wetlands through local and national actions and international cooperation, as a contribution towards achieving sustainable development throughout the world”.

Montreux Record

• Montreux Record is a register of wetland sites on the List of Wetlands of International Importance where changes in ecological character have occurred, are occurring, or are likely to occur as a result of technological developments, pollution or other human interference.
• Wetlands of India that are in Montreux Record: Keoladeo National Park (Rajasthan) and Loktak Lake (Manipur).
• Chilka lake (Odisha)was placed in the record but was later removed from it.

Conservation Efforts by India

• National Plan for Conservation of Aquatic Ecosystems (NPCA):
• NPCA is a single conservation programme for both wetlands and lakes.
• It is acentrally sponsored scheme currently being implemented by the Union Ministry of Environment and Forests and Climate Change.

Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules,2017

• Decentralise wetlands management by giving states powers to not only identify and notify wetlands within their jurisdictions but also keep a watch on prohibited activities.
• It also indirectly widens the ambit of permitted activities in wetlands by inserting the `wise use’ principle, giving powers to state-level wetland authorities to decide what can be allowed in larger interest.
• The Centre’s role will be restricted to monitoring its implementation by states UTs, recommending transboundary wetlands for notification and reviewing integrated management of selected wetlands under the Ramsar Convention.

Suggestions:

• Digital inventories of all land records, including wetlands, are required.
• Encroachment becomes harder if digitised data about wetlands and their buffer zones are available to planners and the general public.
• By cutting off surplus nutrient supplies, the eutrophication of the wetland may be prevented.
• De-siltation, weeding, and aeration into the water may all be done after that.
• Development authorities must take over the resurrected wetland to a citizen’s organisation so that they may manage and benefit from it.

Q.Consider the following statements about National Plan for Conservation of Aquatic Ecosystems :

1. It is acentrally Sector scheme
2. It is implemented by the Union Ministry of Environment and Forests and Climate Change.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) Both 1 and 2 are correct

(b) 1 Only

(c) 2 only

(d) Both 1 and 2 are incorrect

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