MITHOSH JOSEPH
Rapid urbanisation, pollution affect fragile regions
Rapid urbanisation, pollution, and reclamation of land for industrial development are threatening the existence of over 100 identified wetlands in northern Kerala.
Human encroachment and conversion of wetland areas for aquaculture, agriculture, and settlement had also been causing unfavourable changes in the chemical and biological composition of these ecologically fragile places.
Of the 100 wetlands identified in northern Kerala, 17 important wetlands — located in Kozhikode, Kannur, Wayanad, Kasaragod, and Malappuram districts — had been identified as highly prone to exploitation (including exploitation for natural resources, unregulated spatial development, and disposal of domestic sewage and industrial effluents).
Prime threats
A recent study by the Centre for Water Resources Development and Management (CWRDM), Kozhikode, had identified land-filling and pollution as major threats for the 17 important wetlands in the Malabar region.
Wetlands in Kavvayi, Chempallikkundu, Pulathuruthpandy, Elathuruthpandy, Kottappally, Aavala, Cherandathur, Kandanchira, Akalappuzha, Govindhankettu, Erangikkal, Kottuli, Mavoor, Olavanna, Kadalundi, Thattanchuttythuruth, and Purathur had been identified as locations with heavy loss of vegetation.
Large-scale poaching of wetland birds had been reported from the Pulathuruthpandy, Govindhankettu, and Mavoor wetlands in Kozhikode district.
Weed infestation, and reckless dumping of plastic and solid wastes were also major threats, the study said.
The wetlands of Sasthamcotta, Ashtamudi, and Vembanad had been named as Ramsar Sites but Kavvayi in Malabar had not been identified as one.
The CWRDM had asked the State government to take steps to take steps to ensure protection of all wetlands.
Over 100 wetlands identified in Malabar
Dumping of wastes a major threat
The Hindu, 13/2/2012
Rapid urbanisation, pollution affect fragile regions
Rapid urbanisation, pollution, and reclamation of land for industrial development are threatening the existence of over 100 identified wetlands in northern Kerala.
Human encroachment and conversion of wetland areas for aquaculture, agriculture, and settlement had also been causing unfavourable changes in the chemical and biological composition of these ecologically fragile places.
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| Photo courtesy Wikimedia commons |
Prime threats
A recent study by the Centre for Water Resources Development and Management (CWRDM), Kozhikode, had identified land-filling and pollution as major threats for the 17 important wetlands in the Malabar region.
Wetlands in Kavvayi, Chempallikkundu, Pulathuruthpandy, Elathuruthpandy, Kottappally, Aavala, Cherandathur, Kandanchira, Akalappuzha, Govindhankettu, Erangikkal, Kottuli, Mavoor, Olavanna, Kadalundi, Thattanchuttythuruth, and Purathur had been identified as locations with heavy loss of vegetation.
Large-scale poaching of wetland birds had been reported from the Pulathuruthpandy, Govindhankettu, and Mavoor wetlands in Kozhikode district.
Weed infestation, and reckless dumping of plastic and solid wastes were also major threats, the study said.
The wetlands of Sasthamcotta, Ashtamudi, and Vembanad had been named as Ramsar Sites but Kavvayi in Malabar had not been identified as one.
The CWRDM had asked the State government to take steps to take steps to ensure protection of all wetlands.
Over 100 wetlands identified in Malabar
Dumping of wastes a major threat
The Hindu, 13/2/2012
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