The cry of wetlands in Orissa must be heard
When we think of wetlands in Orissa, six names, i.e. Chilika, Anshupa, Sara, Samanga, Kanjia and Jatadhar comes to mind. But in reality, there are many more wetlands spread in all most every district of the state.
WETLANDS ARE an important component of ecosystem and are regarded as the lifeline of the state of Orissa and a grace of nature. The contribution of wetlands in terms of ecological balance as well as betterment of all living forms is incomparable. When we think of wetlands in Orissa, six names, i.e. Chilika, Anshupa, Sara, Samanga, Kanjia and Jatadhar comes to mind. But in reality, there are many more wetlands spread in all most every district of the state. The total area of wetlands in the state is 34820525 hectares. The wetlands consist of two categories i.e. inland wetlands and coastal wetlands. There are 100 inland wetlands and 104 numbers of coastal wetlands in our state, which are natural. They comprise of 14001.75 hectares and 183144.75 hectares respectively. Besides there are 134 numbers of inland wetlands and 7 numbers of coastal wetlands, which are man-made spreading over an area of 148771.75 hectars and 2287 hectares respectively. Flood Control: Being a coastal state, wetlands have a great importance from economic point of view in our state. It is well recognized that Anshupa retains a high volume of flood water of Mahanadi and Sara plays a vital role in flood control of Puri district. Waterlogged area of the state retains huge flood water. Especially after the rapid construction of embankments, the role of wetlands has been increased substantially in terms of flood control. Because by retaining the flood water, the non-embanked zones can be saved. But unfortunately the wetlands are yet to be included in the flood management/ control plan of the government. These wetlands hold surplus water during flood and provide water during scarcity. Livelihood: In many parts of our state, especially in coastal plains, many people depend upon wetlands for their livelihoods like fishery, agricultural during summer season and collecting various water related species. But in the present context, wetlands are no more treated as a reliable source of livelihood for the common people. On the one hand because of increasing population and households and on the other hand because of illegal encroachment and erosion, livelihood support system of wetlands is at stake. Another hindrance in this context is the thirst of money of influential people, who want to usurp the wetlands. Because of vested interest, influential people are ironically suppressing the right of the traditional fisherfolk by encroachment of wetlands. The fight around Chilika on the question of fishing is a classic example. The prawn culture has added flavour to it. Despite knowing the importance, the effort of state government to restore wetlands is confined to Chilika, Bhitarkanika and partially Anhupa. Encroachment: Year after year the size of wetlands in our state is shrinking. Even some of these have vanished. There are many such wetlands in Cuttack, Bhubaneswar and Berhampur which are dead under the concrete buildings. Even experts opine that the reason behind increase in temperature and depleting ground water of the state is degradation of wetlands. Rapid urbanization and growing requirement of concrete buildings in urban areas are accelerating the encroachment of wetlands. At the same time, need of agricultural land because of population explosion in rural areas has also contributed substantially towards encroachment of wetlands. As if this was not enough, industrial revolution of the state has contributed a lot in this regard. Land acquisition by industries has removed many wetlands from the map of Orissa. Wetlands have many implications like livelihood support, flood control, ecological balance, retaining water during surplus and providing water during scarcity. Despite being so important for our state, wetlands hardly figure in the mainstream planning of the state government. It is high time that government should understand the importance of wetlands, especially in the changed climatic conditions and should come out with a well laid out, well thought, consolidated plan for perseverance, restoration and management of wetlands in our state.
Thisn is a good article and wetland management and conservation rule 2010 which is already notified and in place since Nov 2010 by MoEF can give a new direction to the threatened water bodies.
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