Last updated: June 2024
The wetlands to the east of Kolkata are well known over the world for their multiple uses. The locals are using the naturally occurring wetlands for wastewater fisheries and vegetable farming on garbage substrate & effluent irrigated paddy cultivation. In the process, the wetlands treat the wastewater and have saved the city of Calcutta from constructing and maintaining a wastewater treatment plant. Currently, encroachment has deteriorated the wetland ecosystem significantly. This intervention is about the management of the degraded wetland to recover it the best way possible. The goal of management planning is to „maintain East Kolkata Wetlands in a healthy condition to enable the delivery of its full range of ecosystem services and sustain biological diversity values’. [1, 2, 3]
Biodiversity in East Kolkata Wetlands
Department of Environment, West Bengal State Government
Overview
Nature-based solution
- Blue infrastructure
- In-land wetlands, peatlands, swamps, and moors
Key challenges
- Climate action for adaptation, resilience and mitigation (SDG 13)
- Climate change adaptation
- Green space, habitats and biodiversity (SDG 15)
- Habitat and biodiversity restoration
- Habitat and biodiversity conservation
- Green space creation and/or management
- Water management (SDG 6)
- Flood protection
- Stormwater and rainfall management and storage
- Improvements to water quality
- Inclusive and effective governance (SDG 16)
- Effective management
- Economic development and employment (SDG 8)
- Economic development: agriculture
- Sustainable consumption and production (SDG 12)
- Sustainable production
Focus
Creation of new green areas, Management and improved protection of rivers and other blue areas, Ecological restoration of ecosystems, Protection of natural ecosystems, Monitoring and maintenance of habitats and/or biodiversity
Project objectives
1. Land use and land cover of the wetland to be maintained in line with regulatory requirements under Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules, 2017 and East Kolkata Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Act, 2006.
2. Sewage quantity and quality received within the wetland to be efficiently treated applying traditional waste recovery practices.
3. Maintaining the biodiversity within East Kolkata Wetlands.
4. Species invasion threats to fisheries to be reduced.
5. Sustainable livelihood with risk reduction.
6. Individual and collective capacity and opportunities for stakeholders and wetland communities to participate in wetland management and contribute to wetland wise use to be enhanced.
7. Systematic wetlands inventory, assessment and monitoring system is used to inform management decisions and assess effectiveness.
8. Integration of multiple values of wetlands in sectoral developmental planning is enhanced. [1]
Implementation activities
1. Wetland demarcation with fisheries zone will be created.
2. 14 highly silted canals measuring 43.8 km are proposed to be dredged to restore their natural flows and enable the flow of sewage to different fish farms.
3. It is proposed to construct a solid waste segregator near the Bantala lock gate to regulate the flow of solid waste.
4. It is proposed to build a system of constructed wetlands prior to discharge into River Kulti.
5. A 300 KLD effluent treatment plant to treat the leachate of Dhapa has been constructed by KMC (Kolkata Municipal Corporation).
6. The seeds for indigenous fish species such as Koi (Anabas testudineous), Magur (Clarius batrachus) and Pangus (Pangasius pangasius) and others to be produced in the four hatcheries already proposed for the enhancement of fish yield.
7. Revegetation of peripheral areas of Nalban, Goltala, Captain Bheri and some identified locations with Phragmites, Typha, Shola and other native species to improvise habitat of marsh mongoose, amphibian and reptilian species which prefer impounded water of submerged vegetation for breeding.
8. A one-time desiltation of bheri under cooperatives would be supported so that an optimal water column (up to 0.8 m) and natural gradient of water flow can be maintained. [1]
Climate-focused activities
Climate change adaptation:
- Restore wetlands and/or coastal ecosystems to dissipate the effects of flooding and/or storms
- Implement sustainable urban drainage infrastructure (e.g. to make space for water)
Biodiversity conservation or restoration-focused activities
Biodiversity conservation:
- Protect and enhance urban habitats
- Preserve and strengthen existing habitats and ecosystems
- Reduce negative impacts and avoid the alteration/damage of ecosystem
- Protect species
- Undertake specific measures to protect species
- Undertake specific measures to protect native species
- Control and clean invasive alien species
- Means for conservation governance
- Raise public awareness
- Public engagement
- Capacity building
- Protect and apply traditional knowledge and conservation practices
Biodiversity restoration:
- Rehabilitate and restore damaged or destroyed ecosystems
- Restore species (native, endangered, or unspecified)
- Clear and control invasive alien species
- Public engagement
Main beneficiaries
- Local government/Municipality
- Citizens or community groups
- Food producers and cultivators (i.e. farmers, gardeners)
Governance
Management set-up
- Government-led
Type of initiating organisation
- Local government/municipality
Participatory approaches/ community involvement
- Dissemination of information and education
- Consultation (e.g. workshop, surveys, community meetings, town halls)
Details on the roles of the organisations involved in the project
The initiative is entirely led by the Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC).
Project implemented in response to ...
... an EU policy or strategy?
No
... a national policy or strategy?
Yes
(National Plan for Conservation of Aquatic Ecosystems)
... a local policy or strategy?
Yes
(East Kolkata Wetlands Management Action Plan 2021 – 2026, Wetland Conservation and Management Rules, 2017 and East Kolkata Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Act, 2006. [1])
Financing
Total cost
More than €4,000,000
Source(s) of funding
- Public national budget
- Public regional budget
Type of funding
- Direct funding (grants, subsidies, or self-financed projects by private entities)
Non-financial contribution
Unknown
Impacts and Monitoring
Environmental impacts
- Water management and blue areas
- Improved water quality
- Increased protection against flooding
- Improved stormwater management
- Enhanced protection and restoration of freshwater ecosystems
- Green space and habitat
- Increased conservation or restoration of ecosystems
- Reduced biodiversity loss
- Increased protection of threatened species
- Improved prevention or control of invasive alien species
Economic impacts
- Reduce financial cost for urban management
- Increase in agricultural production (for profit or not)
Socio-cultural impacts
- Social justice and cohesion
- Increased access to healthy/affordable food
- Education
- Increased knowledge of locals about local nature
Type of reported impacts
Expected impacts
Presence of formal monitoring system
Yes
Presence of indicators used in reporting
Yes
Presence of monitoring/ evaluation reports
Yes
Availability of a web-based monitoring tool
No evidence in public records
References
1. Technical Committee. State Wetlands Authority (2021) Integrated management Plan of East Kolkata Wetlands (management Action Plan 2021-2026). Department of Environment. West Bengal. URL: Source link. Accessed on 10th September, 20201.
2. Ramsar Sites Information Service (2002). East Calcutta Wetlands. URL: Source link. Accessed on 9th September, 2021.
3. Information Sheet on Ramsar Wetlands (RIS) (2002). URL: Source link. Accessed on 9th September, 2021.
4. Young (2017). Workshop on the future management and wise use of the East Kolkata Wetlands Ramsar Site. Information Sheet on Ramsar Wetlands (RIS). URL: Source link. Accessed on 9th September, 2021.
5. East Kolkata Wetlands Management Authority website. URL: Source link. Accessed on 9th September, 2021.
6. K. Deuti, M, Kamalakanan, P.G.S. Shetty, C. Venkatraman and K. Chandra. (2020). Amphibians, Reptiles and Mammals of East Kolkata Wetlands. URL: Source link. Accessed on 9th September, 2021.
2. Ramsar Sites Information Service (2002). East Calcutta Wetlands. URL: Source link. Accessed on 9th September, 2021.
3. Information Sheet on Ramsar Wetlands (RIS) (2002). URL: Source link. Accessed on 9th September, 2021.
4. Young (2017). Workshop on the future management and wise use of the East Kolkata Wetlands Ramsar Site. Information Sheet on Ramsar Wetlands (RIS). URL: Source link. Accessed on 9th September, 2021.
5. East Kolkata Wetlands Management Authority website. URL: Source link. Accessed on 9th September, 2021.
6. K. Deuti, M, Kamalakanan, P.G.S. Shetty, C. Venkatraman and K. Chandra. (2020). Amphibians, Reptiles and Mammals of East Kolkata Wetlands. URL: Source link. Accessed on 9th September, 2021.
Fisheries in the wastewater
Department of Environment, West Bengal State Government
Information about this nature-based solution was collected as part of the UNA global extension project funded by the British Academy.