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Processes of wetland loss in India

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  15 October 2009

A. Lee Foote ,
Sanjeeva Pandey  and
Naomi T. Krogman
A. Lee Foote*
Affiliation:
US National Biological Service, 700 Cajundome Boulevard, Lafayette, Louisiana 70506, USA; (footel@nwrc.gov)
Sanjeeva Pandey
Affiliation:
Wildlife Institute of India, Post Box 18, Chandrabani, 248 001INDIA; (wii.isnet@axcess.net.in)
Naomi T. Krogman
Affiliation:
Department of Sociology and Anthropology, University of Southwestern Louisiana, Lafayette, Louisiana 70504, USA; (lxf5210@usl.edu)
*
Dr A. Lee Foote Tel: +1 318 266 8667 Fax: +1 318 266 8513 e-mail: footel@nwrc.gov
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Summary

Wetlands in India supply crucial human and animal needs such as drinking water, protein production, fodder, water purification, wildlife habitat, and flood storage. Increased appreciation of uses and threats is essential to protect wetlands where justified. Three quarters of India's population is rural, it places great demands on India's wetlands and losses continue to occur. This paper is based on extensive discussions with natural resource managers, government employees, farmers, academicians, and resource users at dozens of sites in India, as well as an extensive literature search. Twelve important kinds of wetland loss are identified and mechanisms believed to be causing them discussed: (1) agricultural conversion, (2) direct deforestation, (3) hydrologie alteration, (4) inundation, (5) defoliation, (6) altered upper watersheds, (7) accumulative water demands, (8) water quality degradation, (9) wetland consolidation, (10) global climate change, (11) ground-water depletion, (12) exotic species and biodiversity. Wetland understanding, management, and Public awareness in India must continue growing if wetland resources are to remain functional.

Keywords

IndiaWetlandHabitat DegradationCausesSustainability
Type
Papers
Information
Environmental Conservation , Volume 23 , Issue 1 , March 1996 , pp. 45 - 54
Copyright
Copyright © Foundation for Environmental Conservation 1996

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