As India's urban population rapidly expands—projected to reach 50% by 2050—the demand for land for housing, infrastructure, and industry intensifies. This urban growth often comes at the expense of wetlands, which are drained, polluted, or encroached upon. Yet, wetlands are indispensable for creating sustainable and livable cities in India.
Here's why wetlands are crucial for Indian cities:
- Flood Prevention: Wetlands act as natural sponges, absorbing excess rainwater and reducing the impact of floods. In recent years, cities like Mumbai and Chennai have faced severe flooding exacerbated by the loss of wetlands and mangroves. The disappearance of the Mithi River wetlands in Mumbai, for instance, has significantly reduced the city's ability to manage heavy rainfall during monsoons.
- Water Replenishment: Wetlands recharge groundwater aquifers, essential for providing drinking water. In Delhi, wetlands along the Yamuna River contribute to groundwater replenishment, which is critical given the city's water scarcity issues.
- Water Purification: Wetlands naturally filter pollutants from water. The East Kolkata Wetlands are a prime example, where the wetlands treat nearly one-third of Kolkata's sewage every day through natural processes, saving the city approximately ?500 million annually in treatment costs1.
- Air Quality Improvement: Wetlands improve air quality by adding moisture and supporting vegetation that absorbs pollutants. This is vital for cities like Delhi and Kanpur, which struggle with high air pollution levels.
- Biodiversity Hotspots: Urban wetlands are home to diverse flora and fauna. The Loktak Lake in Manipur, although not urban, is a Ramsar site supporting unique biodiversity, including the endangered Sangai deer. Similarly, the Sanjay Lake in Delhi provides habitat for numerous bird species.
- Livelihoods and Employment: Wetlands support livelihoods through fishing, agriculture, and tourism. The Chilika Lake in Odisha, Asia's largest brackish water lagoon, supports over 200,000 fishermen and attracts tourists, contributing significantly to the local economy.
- Recreation and Well-being: Wetlands offer green spaces for recreation, improving physical and mental health. The Sukhna Lake in Chandigarh and the Vastrapur Lake in Ahmedabad are popular spots for leisure and community activities.
Sustainable Cities: Protect, Restore, and Preserve Urban Wetlands
- Filling or building over wetlands, which disrupts their natural functions.
- Dumping waste and rubbish, as it degrades the health of wetlands.
- Draining or burning peatlands, which releases vast amounts of stored carbon into the atmosphere.
- Damaging mangroves or mining coral reefs, as this leaves coastal cities vulnerable to storm surges.
- Integrate wetlands into urban planning and development strategies.
- Preserve and restore wetlands, adopting protective policies to ensure their sustainability.
- Engage local communities in wetland management and encourage sustainable use.
- Manage water resources responsibly and promote efficient usage.
- Minimize harmful run-off from waste and pesticides to safeguard wetland ecosystems.
Protecting and restoring urban wetlands is not just an environmental necessity but also crucial for the sustainable development of India's cities. Incorporating wetlands into urban planning can mitigate flooding, enhance water security, improve air quality, and boost local economies, all while promoting biodiversity and improving residents' quality of life.
- Source: "East Kolkata Wetlands: World's Largest Wastewater-Fed Aquaculture System," Wetlands International South Asia. ?
- Source: National Wetland Atlas, Space Applications Centre (ISRO), 2011. ?
- Source: United Nations World Urbanization Prospects, 2018 Revision.
