On the occasion of World Wetlands Day on Sunday, a top expert advocated the need for sustainable socio-ecological policies that help preserve these formations, which have been under considerable pressure from a growing population in recent decades.
Professor Surabhi Mehrotra, a member of the National Wetlands Committee (NWC) and a professor at the Maulana Azad National Institute of Technology (MANIT), emphasises that city planning must take national wetlands into account and that their use should be community-based and wise.
Wetlands are formations where water remains stagnant; they provide a habitat for fish, aquatic organisms, and avian species. Due to climate change and modern lifestyles, wetlands have suffered severe damage, affecting the people living nearby either directly or indirectly.
To ensure their long-term preservation, efforts must be aligned with models that help foster a synthesis between these formations and local communities.
These wetlands are also famous for hosting migratory birds. In Bhopal, the Upper and Lower Lakes together form the Bhoj Wetland, which is among the few Ramsar sites in the world.
Named after the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands, Ramsar sites are designated rare and unique wetlands of international importance that play a crucial role in conserving biodiversity.
Among all the Ramsar wetlands in India, Bhoj Wetland is one of the most accessible. A scenic road runs along the lake, allowing visitors to enjoy breathtaking views. The Upper Lake covers an area of 31 sq km, has a water catchment area of 361 sq km, and is about 30 feet deep. Around 30 percent of Bhopal’s population depends on this lake for water supply, and it helps maintain the water level across 65 percent of the city.
Bhoj Wetland attracts around 180 species of migratory birds, including the Large Cormorant, Siberian Stonechat, Common Chiffchaff, Black-headed Gull, Purple Heron, Eurasian Coot, Spot-billed Duck, Lesser Whistling Duck, Eurasian Wryneck, Greylag Goose, Glossy Ibis, Redstart, Common Snipe, Northern Shoveler, Common Teal, Red-crested Pochard, Common Pochard, Black-headed Ibis, Bluethroat, Lesser Whitethroat, Green Sandpiper, Painted Stork, Brown-headed Gull, Red-naped Ibis, Black-headed Bunting, and many more.
Professor Mehrotra, who conducted extensive research on the Loktak Wetland in Manipur, says that the key to preserving wetlands is in harmonising the relationship between the local population and the wetlands.