East Kolkata Wetlands

Transcription

1 East Kolkata Wetlands Kolkata s unique heritage A presentation to Sri Sovan Chatterjee Mayor of Kolkata PUBLIC, ENDEV, DISHA, PRAKRITI SAMSAD, WWF India (WBSO) Anurag Danda Dr Sugata Hazra

2 This presentation What are the East Kolkata Wetlands Why are they important Brief History Their legal and international status How we should use them

3 East Kolkata Wetlands 12,500 hectares of creative living with nature, at our doorstep marsh, bogs, fisheries, farms ecosystem

4 What are the East Kolkata wetlands? Water bodies fish ponds (5900 ha.) Agricultural area (4700 ha.) Vegetable farms fed by waste water (600 ha.)

5 750 million litres sewage treated per day (free of cost) More than 10,000 tonnes of fish per year 150 tonnes of vegetables per day Employment direct livelihood for 20,000 families huge potential for eco-tourism Plays a vital role in flood control lesson from Chennai A giant sponge soaking up carbon Supports biodiversity 104 plant species 52 varieties of fish Habitat for 40+ bird species

6 Plays a crucial role in floodcontrol Renders sewage treatment plant unnecessary Helps keep food prices down Improves Kolkata s ability to deal with climate change Reduces pollution ALL AT NO COST TO THE GOVERNMENT, THE CORPORATION, AND THE CITIZENS

7 Brief history of the ecosystem 1. Existed as a spill area of the River Bidyadhari and salt water marshes 200 years ago. Gradually, they come to be utilized by local fishers for brackish-pisciculture. 2. In the 19 th century, Kolkata decides to spew its waste into the area. Storm and sewage water from Kolkata drain into the marshes, sharply reducing the salinity. 3. What the city discards as waste water, local farmers in Dhapa area use on their fields as a wonderful source of nutrients. 4. The Bidyadhari River was dead by the early 20 th century. With the source of salinity drying-up, the local fishermen lose their livelihood. From 1929, they began using the nutrient-rich wastewaters for fish-farming, beginning a new era in resource-recovery.

8 Brief history... (continued) 5. In 1944, the Chief Engineer of the Calcutta Corporation notes the merit of this practice and recommends that the Corporation encourage it. 6. In 1983, a report to the Department of Fisheries re-focuses attention on community-run waste-fed fisheries. attention on community-run waste-fed fisheries. 7. The State Planning Board recognizes the importance of the EKW in 1985 and a map is prepared. 8. The CMDA Plan lists this a Conservation Area. 9.Subsequently, this practice of large-scale resource recovery recognized widely in the country and internationally (and comes to be listed as Wetland of International Importance in 2002).

9 Towards the first legal milestone 1990 ~ NRI proposes World Trade Centre on 227 acres of wetlands Features ~ international business facilities» offices» incubators» hotel» golf course» don t want visitors to come into the city Government agrees Citizens don t

10 The 1992 Verdict 1991 ~ PUBLIC moves High Court against the WTC proposal 1992 ~ landmark judgment directs that the Govt. should ensure that there is no change in land use Government does not appeal, order absolute

11 Ramsar, Act, Authority 1995 ~ Government initiates listing under Ramsar Convention 2002 ~ Ramsar: Wetland of International Importance 2006 ~ Wetlands Act, first in the country East Calcutta Wetlands Management Authority chaired by Chief Secretary

12 Projects that came and went Water Park Project ~ funded by WBIDC, thrown out by the Supreme Court People for Animals (proponents withdrew their project before the High Court at Calcutta) APJ School ~ Mr Jit Paul (withdrew after understanding the importance of the EKW) Intelligent City ~ Mr Purnendu Chatterjee (thrown out by the High Court at Calcutta) KMOMA ~ Mrs. Rakhee Sarkar (withdrew after realizing the illegality) Temple of Knowledge ~ Sri Sri Ravishankar Now before the NGT

13 Some other relevant, constitutional, legal and policy directions Article 48-A of the Constitution Protection and improvement of environment and safeguarding of forests and wild life obligatory for the State West Bengal Fisheries Act, 1984, directs protection of water bodies The Environment Protection Act, 1986 National Environmental Policy, 2006, contains policy guidelines for protection of wetlands December 2010, the Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules (under EPA, 1986) for identification of Wetlands for notification. Their protective regime apply directly to the Ramsar sites. It is the State Governments duty to prepare list of all important wetlands.

14 Violations and victories Times of India Page 1 Jan

15 Future use of the EKW Stay within the wise use guidelines of the Ramsar Convention: maintenance of the ecological character, achieved through the implementation of ecosystem approaches, within the context of sustainable development In order to follow the path of wise use we need to protect these wetlands from toxic industrial pollution and other threats

16 Use for education, ecotourism

17 To conclude ~ nature and history s gifts to Kolkata River Hooghly ~ origin of Kolkata Maidan ~ lungs of Kolkata East Kolkata Wetlands ~ kidneys of Kolkata (besides being so much else!)

18 THANK YOU!