Benefits of Wetland and Its Well –

being Supports

: A Review on Behula Wetland of Malda District

SUSANTA MAHATO

M. Sc. (3rd SEMESTER)

UNIVERSITY OF GOUR BANGA

What is a

“Wetland”

Wetlands are areas where the water table is at or near the surface of the

land, or where the land is covered by shallow water. The Ramsar

Convention defines wetlands as:

"areas of marsh, fen, peatland or water, whether natural or

artificial, permanent or temporary, with water that is static or

flowing, fresh, brackish or salt, including areas of marine water

the depth of which at low tide does not exceed six metres".

They include the rivers, lakes, coastal lagoons, mangroves, peatlands, fens,

bogs and coral reefs, in addition to man-made wetlands that includes fish

and shrimp ponds, ponds, irrigated agricultural land, salt pans, reservoirs,

canals, sewage farms, etc. Wetlands are amongst the most productive

ecosystems, that are valuable as sources, sinks, and transformers of a

multitude of chemical, biological, and genetic materials. They support high

concentrations of birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians, fish and

invertebrate species.

The Value of Wetland Functions

Wetland Functions

1. Recharge of ground water

2. Discharge of ground water

3. Water quality control

4. Retention, removal and

transformation of nutrients

5. Habitat for aquatic species

Economic goods and services

1. Increased water quantity

2. Increased productivity of

downstream fisheries

3. Reduced costs of water

purification

4. Reduced costs of water

purification

5. Improvements in

commercial and

recreational fisheries.

STUDY AREAThere are two municipalities in Malda district and they are

English Bazar Municipality and Old Malda Municipality

respectively. Among them the wetland is situated in ward

no. 3 of Old Malda Municipality popularly named as

‘Behula Wetland’ is selected for study of Wetland.

Wetland Latitude

( 0N)

Longitude

( 0E)

Block Mouza J.L.No. Sheet no.

Behula

Wetland

25003'05"

-

25003'35"

8807'15"

-

8808'43"

Old

Malda

Sarbari

&

Balia

98

&

97

1

-

In the north side of

the wetland there is

Sujapur,

in the North West

there is Nababganj

in the West there is

Mahananda River,

in the south there is

Sarbari,

in the East there is

Moktipur and

in the north east

there is Kaluberia.

LOCATION

PLOT DISTRIBUTION OF BEHULA WETLAND

Behula wetland is situated in

both “Sarbari” mouza and

“Balia” mouza.

Eastern part - “Sarbari” mouza

western part -“Balia” mouza

Total area of wetland - 588483.1

sq.metre.

The smallest plot - plot no. 78

(90.9 sq.metre)located in the

eastern part of the wetland of

Sarbari mouza.

The largest plot - plot no.41

(38438.99 sq. metre)located in

the middle of the wetland of

Balia mouza.

OWNERSHIP

• The total wetland is under the ownership of the

Old Malda Municipality. The wetland is

divided into four sections. The authority give

the license of pisciculture by calling tender and

the whole work is done in the basis of

agreement.

OBJECTIVES

• changing land use pattern of Behula wetland.

• To find the direct and indirect resource

availability.

• To identify the problems and potentialities of

Behula wetland.

DATA BASEThe whole work done by primary data collection method.

For this purpose generally some questions are arrenged. The

questionnaire is designed so as to collect all the information

about wetland and wetland resources.

Data type Source Purpose

Primary data Field survey For knowing Wetland Condition

(Present & Past Both),Influence

on Surrounding Area, on People,

on Wildlife by Wetland.

Secondary data D.L.L.R. office, Malda district

collectorate office ,Google

Earth, Google maps.

Collecting of Cadastral

map(1975) of Sarbari & Balia

mouza for Spatial mapping of

Wetland, Showing land use

pattern etc.

METHODOLOGY

Technique types Name of the technique Purpose

GIS Georeferencing,

Digitization

Land use map of Behula

wetland(1975, 2014)

Statistical technique Simple percentage

method

To conversion of absolute

area of wetlands into

percentage area.

Cartographic techniques Pie graph To show the mango

spices concentration in

two sides of the wetland.

GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS

• Urban wetland :

As the Behula Wetland is under of a urban area, it holds some

different features than any other else.

• Wetland status : Permanent

• Water source : Behula river, precipitation.

• Water Quality :

The quality of the water of Behula Wetland is comparatively

better than any other wetland.The quality of the water is quiet

good and fresh too as it is connected with the Behula river.The

color of the water is pretty whities.

RELIEF CONDITION

CONNECTION WITH RIVER

Behula Wetland is connected with Behula River. The North East

part of the Behula Wetland is connected with the river Behula.

In the This map the

landuse pattern of Behula

Wetland in 1975 has been

given. There are mango

trees in both side of the

wetland.

Agricultural land has

developed near the water

and rest of land kept as

fallow. Some part of

fallow land use for

grazing.

LAND USE AREA (IN SQ. METRE)

AGRICULTURAL LAND 23548.403

SETTLEMENT 13346.1

WET LAND 103555.894

BUSH 108196.043

GRAZING LAND 9810.95

MANGO GROOVES 142629.74

FALLOW LAND 150444.77

PALM TREES 36915.2

LAND USE OF BEHULA WETLAND(1975)

AGRICULTURAL LAND

SETTLEMENT

WET LAND

BUSH

GRAZING LAND

MANGO GROOVES

FALLOW LAND

PALM TREES

There is massive change in

Behula Wetland in the 2014

as comparison to 1975.Brick

klin (plot no -38 and 39),

has been developed in the

northern side. Railway play

ground (plot no 46) and

Behula Sishu Uddan (plot

no-45)was established at

some place. The settlement

of that place is growing up

rapidly after the area

included in Old Malda

Municipality. Area of fallow

land has been decreasing

due to human settlement on

the western side of fallow

land.

LAND USE OF BEHULA WETLAND(2014) AGRICULTURAL LAND

SETTLEMENT

WET LAND

BUSH

GRAZING LAND

MANGO GROOVES

FALLOW LAND

PLAY GROUND

PRIMARY SCHOOL

BEHULA PARK

BRICK KLIM

PALM,MANGO TREES

LAND USE AREA (IN SQ. METRE)

AGRICULTURAL LAND 35548.403

SETTLEMENT 144243.491

WET LAND 103555.894

BUSH 8791.52

GRAZING LAND 2741.363

MANGO GROOVES 152629.74

FALLOW LAND 69231.179

PLAY GROUND 1910.982

PRIMARY SCHOOL 1249.379

BEHULA PARK 688.479

BRICK KLIM 30977.48

PALM,MANGO TREES 36915.2

AGRICULTURAL LAND 6%

SETTLEMENT25%

WET LAND 18%

BUSH2%

GRAZING LAND 0%

MANGO GROOVES26%

FALLOW LAND12%

PLAY GROUND0%

PRIMARY SCHOOL0%

BEHULA PARK0%

BRICK KLIM 5%

PALM,MANGO TREES

6%

LAND USE (2014)AGRICULTURAL

LAND

4% SETTLEMENT

2%

WET LAND

18%

BUSH

18%

GRAZING LAND

2%

MANGO GROOVES

24%

FALLOW LAND

26%

PALM TREES

6%

LAND USE (1975)

CONVERSION LAND USE IN BEHULA WETLAND Land use 1975 2014

Wetland 37,41,36,251,14,46 37,41,36,251,14,46

Agricultural Land 43,179,104,107,10 43,179,104,107,11,10,44,24,23,25,26,20,36,41,32

Settlement 102,62,65,64,63,58,60,59,69,

93,100,99,94,91,89,77,85,87,

96,95,98,97,84,83,82,81,80,

79,78,76,75,73,72,71

64,65,58,102,52,62,61,65,64,63,58,66,59,60,69,93,

92,100,99,94,91,89,77,85,86,87,96,95,98,97,84,83,

82,81,80,79,78,76,75,73,72,71,43,31,28,29,30,27,6

6,50,57,53,59,43,49,151,147,52,51,146,150,154,14

2,141,139,136,143,118,160,128,143,145,253,149

Mango Grooves 175,42,176,177,153,15,16,17,18,24,23,25,26,20,36,

39,32,162,163,138,139,161,163,,47,48

175,42,176,177,9,5,153,15,12,16,17,18,39,162,163

,138,139,161,163,47,48

Fallow land 38,39,64,65,58,44,2,6,105,3,103,5,4,156,12,11,61,6

7,66,68,74,44,45,19,22,43,37,35,28,29,30,42,34,38,

33,27,137,66,50,57,53,59,43,49,151,147,52,51,146,

150,154,142,141,139,136,143,118,160

44,2,6,105,3,4,156,68,74,19,22,43,37,35,42,34,38,

33,37

Grazing Land 103,13,52 13

Palm trees 178 --

Bush 8,9,46,43,31 8

Primary School -- 46

Behula Park -- 45

Pal,mango trees -- 178

GOODS AND SERVICES • WATER SUPPLY:

There is always sufficient supply of water in the wetland as it is

connected with the river.The water is stored in besides of Reservoir by

the Micro check dam. This water is used in many ways like

agriculture,piciculture,domestic regular work etc.

• WATER RECHARGE:

There is highly recharge of water in the wetland as it is connected

with Behula River.

• WATER STORAGE:

The water made by the Micro Check dam is stoned in the Reservoir.

• CO2 ABSORPTION:

50% area of the wetland is covered by mango and other trees.As a

result the quality of co2 has increased from urban area. But a good and

certain amount of co2 has absorped by those trees in the wetland.

BIOLAOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS 1. FLORA:

Many kind of vegetables are gathered from both side of wetland which is

daily food to local people. Water hyacinth grown up on wetland water.

Local name Scientific name

Kulekhara(hygrophila spinosa) hygrophila auriculate

Thankuni(Indian pennywort) centella asiatica

Helencha(marsh herb) enhydra fluctuans

Kolmi(water spinach) ipomoea aquatica

Kochuripana (water hyacinth) eichhornia crassipes

2. FAUNA:

Wetland is highly bio-diversified. Wetland is ingredient of bio-diversity. The

animal world of Behula Wetland is-

Local name Scientific name

Ghass foring schistocerca gregaria

Jalaj samuk lamellidens margiralis

Bok ardeola grayii

Pan kouri phalacrocorax fussicollis

Foring papilionidae sp.

PEOPLE’S PARTICIPATION

1. MICRO CHECK DAM

Two Micro check dam are made just in the south and south east part of the

wetland from Municipality respectively. It control the overflow of the wetland.

There is a huge water reservoir just after the particular check dam and its water

is used for irrigation.

2. FISHING

Wet area is divided into 4 parts by Municipality to give tender

for fish production.There four parts are-

Parts of wetland Plot no.

1st part 14

2nd part 251

3rd part 41,38,37

4th part 1,108

Different kinds of fish eggs are relearned in the water of

Wetlands. For this reason all kind of fishes are get throughout

the year.

The amount of paenenus monodon fish become low and

knifetooth saw fish is totally wiped off.

Fish Local name Scientific name Premonsoon Monsoon

Rui labio rohita √ √

Katla catla catla √ √

Singi heteropenuste fossillis √ √

Tangra mystus vittatus × √

Silver cup hypophthalmicthyes

molitris

√ √

Boal wallage attu × √

Chingri paeneus monodon × √

Chada pamur argenteus √ √

Puti oreochomic sp. √ √

Shol ophiocenphalus

striatus

× √

3. AGRICULTURE

Naturally agricultural are grown up near the wet area.Irrigation is not

interrupted due to high amount of water store up throughout the year.

Agricultural activites are done in the plot of 10,11,44,43,179 etc no.

Paddy is cultivated at rainy season, Mustard plant and “Datha sag” are

cultivated winter season.

4. MANGO GARDEN

Mango

trees

Left side of

the

wetland

(%)

Right side

of the

wetland

(%)

Amrapali 10 10

Khissa pati 18 60

Fajli 40 20

Lakhnah 10 5

Gopal

bhog

20 3

Other 2 2

5. SETTELMENT:

Settlement in this area has been increasing as it is under of municipality

authority. Increasing the population day by day in old malda,the settlement area

increases as well.

6.BRICK KLIN:

Brick klin (plot no -38 and 39), has been developed in the northern side of the

Behula wetland.

Wetland services and Human Well-being

Services

1. Food

2. Fresh water

3. Climate regulation

Comment

1. production of fish, fruits,

and grains

2. storage and retention of

water for domestic and

agricultural use

3. influence local and regional

temperature, precipitation,

and other climatic

processes

Wetland ecosystem provide many services that contribute human well-

being. Some group of people, particularly those living near wetland, are

highly dependent on these services.

Wetland services and Human Well-being

Services

4. Water regulation

5. Water purification and

waste treatment

6. Soil formation

7. Nutrient cycling

Comment

4. groundwater recharge/discharge

5. retention, recovery, and removal of

excess nutrients and other

pollutants

6. sediment retention and

accumulation of organic matter

7. storage, recycling, processing, and

acquisition of nutrients

In the case of Behula wetland, two most important wetland ecosystem

services affecting the human well-being involve fish supply and water

availability.

DEGRADATION OF WETLAND 1. SEDIMENT DEPOSITION :

Now a days lots of sediment has entered in Behula Wetland from the river

Behula and it has made Deposition. This deposition has been increasing

day by day and it is not so good sign for the environment the authority

shared think about it seriously.

2. WATER QUALITY LOSS:

There are lots of chemicals which has been used for piciculture,spoile the own

fundamental qualities of the water of the wetland.

3. SETTLEMENT ENCHROCHMENT :

Settlement in this area has been increasing as it is under of municipality

authority. This is influence to degrade the wetland.

4. INCREASING MANGO GARDEN:

Mangoes have been cultivated plantually in a huge part of the wetland and

consequently, the wetland area has been decreasing slowly.

5. AREA LOSS:

Wet land is shrinking by it size due to urbanization. Settlement are

increasing,mango garden and agricultural land are widening up, which are the

main cause for area loose of wet land.

BEHULA WETLAND POLUTION

1. WASTE FROM BRICK KLIN:

There is made huge wastage in the processing process of

producing bricks in brick klim.Those wastage have thrown into

the wetland which cause of water pollution. As a result, the

quality of the water have been becoming worse as days

progresses.

2. URBAN WASTAGE:

As the wetland is situated in the urban area,the wastage made by

the people of urban area has thrown into the wetland.

1. The wetland produced many important services like ground water

recharge, water storage etc. Morley, there has been found several flora

spices. Various fauna spices are also available in the wetland which proves

it is nothing but a biodivesified area. Wetland ecosystem provide many

services that contribute human well-being. Some group of people,

particularly those living near wetland, are highly dependent on these

services.

2. Behula wetland has been providing a good financial life. The people of

the area has been able to live a healthy economic life by the medium of

fishing, agriculture, mango production etc.

3. Fish production in the wetland is an important economic service. The

wetland divided into few section and license to pisciculture is given on the

basis of agreement. Due to the agreement with rich fisherman, the local

people deprived from direct economic service of wetland. Besides that the

fish production activity controlled by the rich people. Hence the poor

people deprived from the well- being which is not good sign to the

MAJOR FINDINGS

MAJOR FINDINGS

4. The fallow land of the wetland has been converted into settlement

which is quiet notable. Moreover, the settlement has been increased

by the pressure of the population day by day. Total area of the

wetland is going to decrease gradually due to the extension of mango

garden.

5. The wetland has been degraded by the deposition of sediment,

comes naturally from the river. Moreover, the settlement has been

increased anthropogenic ally. The particular purpose of fishing

causes the degradation of the water quality of the wetland. The loss

and degradation of wetland will reduce the capacity of wetland that

impacts and result in further reduction in human well- being.

CONCLUSION

Behula wetland has been providing a good economic baseline

support to the surrounding areas economy. Many fields of services

provides that people are enjoying several direct and indirect resources

but degradation of wetland decrease the effectiveness of Behula

wetland. The value of preserving wetland can be approximated using

estimates of how much will it cost to society to artificially provide

those goods and services that wetland provide. The only way to save

the quality of wetland is by increasing the general awareness among

the authority and the people of the locality. The condition of the

wetland of Behula represents the condition of the district as well as

state’s wetlands. Now a days it is very necessary to take the

conservation strategy of all pointable wetland as well as Behula

wetland.