MEVE 016: Unit 07 – Urban Wetlands

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 UNIT 7: URBAN WETLANDS

7.0 Introduction

Urban wetlands are some of the most valuable, yet most threatened, ecosystems within our cities. As urban areas expand rapidly, natural wetlands are increasingly being filled, polluted, or fragmented, leading to significant ecological degradation. Yet, urban wetlands continue to play a vital role in maintaining environmental quality, biodiversity, and human well-being.

Urban wetlands are water bodies such as lakes, ponds, marshes, bogs, and floodplains that exist within or near cities. They are crucial for flood control, groundwater recharge, pollution filtration, and biodiversity conservation. Recognizing, protecting, and sustainably managing urban wetlands is essential for making cities climate-resilient and ecologically balanced.

7.1 Objectives

By the end of this unit, you should be able to:

  • Understand the definitions and classifications of wetlands.
  • Learn the importance and ecological functions of urban wetlands.
  • Identify major threats to urban wetlands and conservation challenges.
  • Explore strategies and measures for the protection and sustainable management of urban wetlands.

7.2 Wetland: Definitions and Classification

Definition

The Ramsar Convention (1971), an international treaty for the conservation and sustainable use of wetlands, defines wetlands as:

“Areas of marsh, fen, peatland or water, whether natural or artificial, permanent or temporary, with water that is static or flowing, fresh, brackish or salt, including areas of marine water with a depth of not more than six metres at low tide.”

In India, the Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules, 2017 define wetlands as areas saturated with water, either permanently or seasonally, including the water, vegetation, and wildlife that they support.

Classification

Urban wetlands can be classified based on:

  • Origin:
    • Natural: Lakes, ponds, streams, oxbow lakes.
    • Artificial: Reservoirs, sewage treatment ponds, canals, ornamental waterbodies.
  • Hydrology:
    • Permanent or Seasonal wetlands depending on water presence.
  • Salinity:
    • Freshwater, Brackish, or Saline wetlands.
  • Location:
    • Inland (lakes, tanks, floodplains) or coastal (estuaries, tidal flats).

7.3 Significance of Urban Wetlands

Urban wetlands provide numerous ecosystem services that contribute to the environmental and socio-economic well-being of cities:

1. Flood Control and Stormwater Management

Wetlands act as natural buffers by absorbing and storing excess rainwater, reducing the risk of urban flooding.

2. Groundwater Recharge

Wetlands help replenish aquifers and maintain the groundwater table by allowing water to percolate into the soil.

3. Water Purification

They act as bio-filters, absorbing pollutants, heavy metals, and excess nutrients from stormwater and sewage, improving water quality.

4. Biodiversity Hotspots

Urban wetlands support a variety of aquatic and terrestrial species including fish, amphibians, birds, reptiles, and invertebrates. They serve as stopover points for migratory birds.

5. Climate Regulation

Wetlands sequester carbon and help regulate urban temperatures through evapotranspiration.

6. Livelihood and Cultural Value

Many communities rely on wetlands for fishing, agriculture, tourism, and recreation. They also hold religious and aesthetic value in many urban cultures.

7.4 Urban Wetlands: Threats and Conservation Issues

Despite their importance, urban wetlands face numerous anthropogenic threats:

1. Encroachment and Land Use Change

Rapid urban development leads to illegal encroachment of wetlands for real estate, roads, and commercial activities.

2. Pollution

Untreated sewage, solid waste dumping, industrial effluents, and stormwater runoff degrade water quality.

3. Eutrophication

Nutrient overloading from domestic and agricultural sources causes algal blooms, depleting oxygen and harming aquatic life.

4. Habitat Fragmentation

Urbanization fragments wetland ecosystems, reducing connectivity between water bodies and threatening migratory and breeding patterns of species.

5. Invasive Species

Invasive aquatic plants like water hyacinth and parthenium choke native vegetation and disrupt wetland ecology.

6. Lack of Public Awareness and Institutional Neglect

People often view wetlands as wastelands, and weak enforcement of environmental laws leads to further degradation.

7.5 Urban Wetland Protection Measures

To conserve and restore urban wetlands, a combination of legal, ecological, and community-based measures is needed:

1. Legal Protection

  • Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules, 2017 prohibit construction and other harmful activities in notified wetlands.
  • States are required to identify, notify, and manage wetlands through State Wetland Authorities.

2. Wetland Inventories

  • Preparation of Urban Wetland Inventories using GIS mapping and field studies to document wetland size, type, biodiversity, and threats.

3. Ecological Restoration

  • Desilting, de-weeding, native vegetation planting, and creating buffer zones can help revive degraded wetlands.

4. Pollution Control

  • Constructed wetlands and decentralized wastewater treatment systems (DEWATS) can treat sewage before it enters wetlands.
  • Banning solid waste disposal in wetland areas.

5. Urban Planning Integration

  • Integrate wetland conservation into urban master plans and Smart City initiatives.
  • Create wetland corridors and green belts to connect fragmented water bodies.

6. Community Participation

  • Involve resident welfare associations, schools, NGOs, and local communities in wetland clean-up, monitoring, and protection efforts.

7. Education and Awareness

  • Organize nature walks, birdwatching events, and wetland festivals to raise awareness about their ecological value.

8. Notable Government Initiatives

  • National Wetland Conservation Programme (NWCP)
  • Urban Lake Conservation and Management Programme (ULCMP)
  • National Plan for Conservation of Aquatic Ecosystems (NPCA)

7.6 Let Us Sum Up

Urban wetlands are essential for maintaining ecological balance and ensuring climate resilience in cities. They serve a wide range of functions from flood control and pollution filtration to supporting biodiversity and enhancing urban quality of life.

However, unchecked urbanization and pollution continue to threaten these ecosystems. Effective wetland conservation requires coordinated action across governments, urban planners, civil society, and local communities.

In the journey toward sustainable urban development, protecting and restoring urban wetlands must be treated as a priority.

 

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