International Research Journal of Engineering and Technology (IRJET)
e-ISSN: 2395-0056
Volume: 10 Issue: 05 | May 2023
p-ISSN: 2395-0072
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IMPACT OF URBAN EXPANSION ON EAST KOLKATA WETLAND -A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS Anuska Ray1, Ritula Paul2, 1Post Graduate Student, Department Of Geography, Bijoy Krishna Girls’ College, Howrah, West Bengal, India 2Faculty, Department Of Geography, Bijoy Krishna Girls’ College, Howrah, West Bengal, India
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Abstract - The East Kolkata Wetland, a Ramsar Site, is a natural ecosystem that serves as a natural sewage treatment
system and provides a diverse range of Services to its surrounding areas. It is situated between the Kolkata megalopolis in the west and the satellite township in the north and it is responsible for purifying of over 800 million litres of sewage generated by the Kolkata metropolitan city each day. This wetland plays a crucial role in maintain the ecological balance of the region and is often referred to as the Kidney of Kolkata. In addition, the wetland also sequesters carbon and absorbs the city’s storm water during floods. However, the rapid urban expansion of Kolkata city poses a serious threat to this valuable ecosystem. There has been significant challenge for East Kolkata wetland with the expansion of Kolkata city and also increase in urban landfills. In this perspective, the paper aims is to study the spatial variation of degree of urbanisation of East Kolkata wetland taking distance as a factor from Kolkata city to show the impact of urbanisation on East Kolkata Wetland. As the degree of urbanisation varies, so a comparative analysis has been done by taking four areas from East Kolkata wetland based on their distance from the Kolkata city. Key Words: East Kolkata Wetland, Urbanisation, Interaction, Distance
1. INTRODUCTION Wetlands are unique ecosystems that play a crucial role in maintaining ecological balance and supporting a diverse range of plant and animal life. Not only do they serve as a carbon sink, but they also filter wastewater and provide a habitat for fish. Additionally, wetlands offer many economic benefits to humans, such as opportunities for agriculture, horticulture, aquaculture, and ecotourism. However, wetlands located near or within urban areas face numerous threats due to rapid urbanization. One such example is the East Kolkata Wetland, which is situated on the Eastern fringe of Kolkata and supports the livelihoods of rural communities as well as various species of flora and fauna. East Kolkata Wetland acts as a Natural Sewage Treatment Plant. Despite efforts to protect this region following its designation as a Ramsar site, illegal activities continue to pose a threat to its sustainability. In this study, we aim to examine the changes in land use and cover patterns in the East Kolkata Wetland area over the period of 2005-2022, as a result of Kolkata's urban expansion.
2. STUDY AREA Kolkata City is located by the side of River Hooghly in Ganga Delta Region. The East Kolkata Wetland is situated in the eastern part of Kolkata City. This is a rural-urban fringe area which belongs to the old course of Bidyadhari River. The wetland area covers 37 mouzas, most of which belongs to North and South 24 Parganas. To analyse the impact of urban expansion on the East Kolkata Wetland away from the Kolkata city, four particular areas from different directions have been chosen. These are Paschim Chowbhaga, Kheyadaha, Dharmatala Pachuria and Garal.
3. OBJECTIVES Main objectives of this study area:
To measure the interaction between Kolkata and major towns in West Bengal that causes urban expansion which affect the surrounding Urban-Rural fringe area including East Kolkata Wetland To show the impact of distance on the interaction of Kolkata with nearby Towns or cities and its impact on the East Kolkata Wetland. To conduct a comparative analysis of the Spatio- temporal changes in land use and land cover patterns focusing four areas of East Kolkata wetland taking distance as a factor from Kolkata City.
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