Items related to Environment Impact Assessment for Wetland Protection

Environment Impact Assessment for Wetland Protection - Hardcover

 
9788172332938: Environment Impact Assessment for Wetland Protection

Synopsis

Wetlands are transitional areas between aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems where the water table is usually at or near the surface, or the land is covered by shallow water. Wetlands are among the most productive life support systems in the world and are of immense socio-economic and ecological importance to mankind. In India wetlands are distributed in different geographical regions. Wetlands play critical role in the improvement of water quality through the arrest of pollutants (organic & inorganic) from direct release to the natural water bodies and by removal of sediments, production of oxygen, recycling of nutrients, and treatment of wastewater by removing nitrogen, phosphorus, bacteria and viruses. The wetlands act as habitat for fish & shellfish, and for birds, mammals, reptiles & amphibians, many of which are of economic value in terms of subsistence and commercial fishing, hunting and trapping. Non-consumptive uses of the wetlands, viz. bird watching, recreation, aesthetics, educational activities, and scientific research are also well recognized. Population pressures in the past few decades led to rapid utilization of natural resources for land based development. In this process wetlands were treated with contempt. Ignoring their importance, wetlands were considered obstacles in the path of progress and reservoirs of diseases. Wetlands were hence drained, filled and reclaimed for more economic gains. The rivers were dammed, regulated and channellized leading to modification or elimination of floodplains. This led to a considerable alteration of wetland habitats and the composition of associated flora and fauna. A select list of activities that affected wetlands is presented in Table - 1.

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