The state government has begun its first survey of wetlands in Maharashtra. Launched from Sindhudurg, and to be eventually extended across the state, it will collect data on the biodiversity of these crucial ecological features and aid their conservation.
To 'ground-truth' the satellite mapping of these wetlands, officials will visit the sites and geo-tag their locations. They will also record ecological details like the floral and faunal species found there, aquatic vegetation, use of water, its depth, hydrology, Ph value and soil texture, to be made available on the 'Wetlands of Maharashtra' app. Activities that can imperil these ecosystems will also be identified and curbed.
This exercise aims to enable the conservation of these crucial ecological features, which serve important functions like water storage, flood mitigation, erosion control, aquifer recharge, micro-climate regulation and aesthetic enhancement.
"All wetlands included in the rules will be covered," said Satish Gavai, additional chief secretary (environment). "Since Sindhudurg is a popular tourism district, we need to preserve the wetlands. The survey will be completed in two months," he said. Out of the 373 wetlands satellite-mapped in Sindhudurg, 64 are covered under the Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules, 2017.
A state government official said, The exercise, which will involve officials from the revenue and forest departments, Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) and NGOs, will also identify the ownership of these lands. It will demarcate the boundaries of these wetlands on digital maps and activities to be regulated within their zone of influence. It will also help identify any encroachments at the site. The information will be submitted to the State Wetlands Authority under environment minister Ramdas Kadam.
Some of the important wetlands in Maharashtra include Lonar lake, Nathsagar dam, Yeldari reservoir, Nandur Madhyameshwar tank, Navegaon notified wetland and Ujani reservoir.
WETLAND FAQ
- According to the Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules, 2017, wetlands have been defined as marsh, fen, peatland or water that may be natural or artificial, static or flowing, fresh, brackish or salt, including areas of marine water, the depth of which at low tide does not exceed six meters.
- It does not cover river channels, paddy fields, and structures for drinking water purposes, aquaculture, salt production, recreation and irrigation.
- The National Wetland Atlas: Maharashtra by the Space Applications Centre, Ahmedabad, in 2010 identified 44,714 wetlands covering 10,14,522 hectare.
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