An Impact of Rapid Urbanization on Wetlands Destruction in Mumbai Metropolitan Region: Acute Problem With Long-Term Solutions for Wetlands

An Impact of Rapid Urbanization on Wetlands Destruction in Mumbai Metropolitan Region: Acute Problem With Long-Term Solutions for Wetlands

Sanjay Jayawant Rode
Copyright: © 2020 |Pages: 27
DOI: 10.4018/IJSEM.2020100101
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Abstract

Wetlands are playing an important role in sustaining human health and wellbeing. They support food production, water treatment and water supply, flood control, fishing, recreation, and wildlife habitat. But wetland areas are shrinking very fast all over the world due to the rapid growth of urbanisation. In devepoing countries, the destruction of the wetlands is widely observed. In India, the wetlands area, size, and number are declinging very fast due to population growth and urbanisation. Mumbai Metropolitan Region is not an exception to this phenomenon. The wetland area is significantly declining in all suburbs of region over the period of time. State government should come out with future plans, legislation, and co-ordination among various bodies and NGOs to protect wetlands in region. The protection and scientific conservation of wetlands will improve wetlands-related services and health of the people in the region.
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Introduction

Earth is undergoing significant changes which are driven by natural and anthropogenic factors (Berezowski T. et.al 2018). Wetlands are important for ecosystem servives, nutrient cycles, soil formation and water treatment. But almost half of the world’s wetlands have disappeared in the last century because of agricultural and urban development (Ganbold o. et.al 2018). Wetland is called “kidney of the earth”, the natural reservoir and species bank. The sight and cultural value makes great contribution to the perpetuation and development of world civilization. Sound wetland ecosystem is the important component of national ecological security system and the foundation of realizing the sustainable development of economy and society (Hushulong Q. 2012). But now wetlands are one of the most threatened habitats of the world. All countries face the challenge of sustainable development of wetlands to a greater or lesser extent, but the problem is especially urgent in developing countries(Wang Y., et.al 2008).Wetlands in India, as elsewhere are increasingly facing several anthropogenic pressures. Thus, the rapidly expanding human population, large scale changes in land use/ land cover, burgeoning development projects. Water sheds have all caused a substantial decline of wetland resources of the country. Significant losses have resulted from its conversion threats from industrial, agricultural and various urban developments. These have led to hydrological perturbations, pollution and their effects. Unsustainable levels of grazing and fishing activities have also resulted in degradation of wetlands (PhukanP.andRanjanSaikia (2014). Wetlands are particularly affected as a result of clearing of deep rooted native vegetation for agriculture (Delaney J. et.al 2016). Onestudy shows the prevalence of huge change in wetland areas, expansion of non-hydrophytic plants, and high human-induced disturbances. The highest rates of wetland area changes and disturbances are recorded (Woldemariam W. et.al 2018). In India, Such changes are visible in various wetland related surveys.

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