CONSERVATION OF WETLANDS IN THE GANGA BASIN

ENGAGEMENT PROGRAMME ON WETLANDS WITH DISTRICT GANGA COMMITTEES

February 1, 2021

Suresh Babu, WWF-India

Why wetlands?

35% of wetlands, where data is available, have

been lost since 1970

Rate of loss 3 X greater than

that of forests

• Degradation of catchment (landuse changes)• Changes in hydrological regimes (over abstraction, fragmentation)• Invasive species • Pollution (domestic, industrial)• Lack of stakeholder ownership

Loss of wetlands,

faster than that

of forests

Government of India’s approach

Inventorization of Wetlands and Preparation of Brief Documents

Preparation of Wetland Health Cards

Enrollment of Wetland Mitras

Preparation of Integrated Management Plan

Information on

wetland, their

ecosystem services

and biodiversity

values, threat and

management needs

Condition of wetlands

Identifying solutions,

forming action plans

with budgets Identifying, enrolling,

engaging multiple

stakeholders

1. Brief documents (as per Wetland Rules 2017)

• Step 1: Identification, Location & Jurisdiction

• Step 2: Site Characteristics

• Step 3: Biodiversity

• Step 4: Ecosystem Services

• Step 5: Pre-Existing Rights and Privileges

• Step 6: Present and Potential Threats

• Step 7: Activities proposed to be prohibited

• Step 8: Activities proposed to be regulated

• Step 9: Activities proposed to be permitted

• Step 10: Listing of available scientific resources used.

5

Mapping Zone of Influence

Data CollectionDigital Elevation Model

SRTM DEM (30 m)

Satellite Images

Multi Temporal LISS IV (5.8 m)

Field survey Data

GPS data

Data Processing

• Masking rough boundary

• Stream delineation using Arc

hydro toolbox (ArcGIS)

• Catchment delineation after

carefully selecting the outlets

• Extracting area of interest for all Multi

temporal satellite images

• Mapping Land cover features through

ERDAS software

• Mapping temporal variations in snow

cover, water spread areas

• Mapping geomorphological features

that could influence wetland

• Field validation of

the locations

• Outlets iteratively selected using all primary and secondary information

• Delineated stream network, inlets& outlets of wetland overlaid on Google earth 3D to check for

boundary conditions and correct delineation of streams

• Temporal water spread area and snow cover mapped data used to assess the influence

• Contributing hydrological catchment area delineated

• Geomorphological and other landforms within the features like landslides, alluvial fans, land covers

overlaid on delineated catchment boundary to adjust/expand influencing area (this could be outside the

hydrological boundaries but strong enough to influence the wetland health)

Catchment area

mapping and

Validations

Zone of Influence

Maps• Hydrological catchment boundaries and other landforms/ landuse features assessed

• Zone of influence delineated

7

UNDP SECURE HIMALAYAS PROJECT

Wetland map for the basins

Understanding the landuse/Landcover

20001973

2010 2018

Rapid assessment of ecosystem Services and assessing community dependency

Ecosystem

ServicesDuration of Ecosystem Services

Severity of Dependency as

perceived by the community

Jan Feb Mar Apr May June Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

Irrigation demand for agriculture. March ending till mid September

Jungdemo

Low. Dependency has decreased in

the past few years. Agriculture land

now used for other purposes like

building tourist related

infrastructure.

Chukil

Low. Dependency has decreased in

the past 2-3 years. Few Tibetan

refugees who used to cultivate

land have moved to Leh/other

places.

Raar

Medium. Most of the agriculture

land here. 48-50 households of

Chukil wetland have their

agriculture land here.

ShadobugMedium. Around 40 household

have agriculture land.

Provisioning Services

Indicator Jungdemo Chukil Shado Bug

Fresh water √ √ √

Food √ √ √

Fuel X X X

Fibre √ √ √

Ornamental

resourcesX X X

Natural medicines X X √

Regulatory Services

Indicator Jungdemo Chukil Shado Bug

Local climate

regulation√ √ √

Water regulation √ √ √

Flood hazard

regulation√ √ √

Storm hazard

regulationX X X

Erosion regulation √ √ √

Water purification X X X

Cultural Services

Indicator Jungdemo Chukil Shado Bug

Cultural heritage √ √ √

Recreation and

tourism√ √ √

Aesthetic value √ √ √

Spiritual and

religious value√ X X

Inspirational Value √ √ √

Educational and

researchX √ √

Supporting Services

Indicator Jungdemo Chukil Shado Bug

Primary production √ √ √

Nutrient cycling √ √ √

Water recycling √ √ √

Provision of habitat √ √ √

RAPID Assessment of Ecosystem Services

2. Wetland Health Assessment

• Indicates the status of threatsand overall ecological condition

• Important factor inprioritization of wetlands forimplementation ofconservation measures.

• Regular monitoring of wetlandhealth key to assess impacts ofconservation projects

• Helps in identifying correctivemeasures if required during theimplementation ofconservation projects

Wetland Health

Wetland Area

Hydrology and

Catchment

Water Quality

Biodiversity

Governance

Source: MoEFCC

Change in wetland

area

Channel health

(inflow and outflow)

Hydrology and

Catchment

Tools

Survey form, GIS mapping, interview with local community/ stakeholders

Chemical parameters

Physical parameters

Biological parameters

Water Quality

Tools

Water analysis kit, water analysis meters, table for data collection

Avi-fauna

Macrophytes

Algae & Zoo-benthos

Biodiversity

Tools

Biodiversity survey forms, data on birds, invasive species,

Binoculars, camera, bird book for identification

Clearly demarcated

wetlands map

Wetland Management

plan

Wetlands notification

Governance

Tools

Review of maps, Management plans

Ecosystem

Health Score

Ecosystem

Health Rank

Health

Category

Between

0.96 - 1

A+ Very good

Between

0.91 – 0.95

A- Very good

Between

0.86 - 0.90

B+ Good

Between

0.81 – 0.85

B- Good

Between

0.76 – 0.80

C+ Moderate

Between

0.71 – 0.75

C- Moderate

Between

0.61 – 0.70

D Low

0.60 and

below

E Very Low

Indicator Desired value

% wetland converted to non-wetland use since 2000 0

Ratio of number of natural inlets choked and diverted

to total number of natural inlets

<0.2

Ratio of number of natural outlets choked and

diverted to total number of natural outlets

<0.2

Biological Oxygen Demand(BOD) Between 3-6 mg/l

% wetland area covered by invasive macrophytes <10%

Annual waterbird count as a proportion of average

count of last 5 years0.7

Clearly demarcated wetlands map Wetlands map

prepared and

approved by

CWLW/SWA

Wetlands management plan Management plan

prepared and

approved by

CWLW/SWA

Wetlands Notification Wetlands notified

under WPA/by

SWA

Government of India with States preparing

WH Cards for 1000 wetlands in the country

3. Prioritization of Wetlands based on Health Score

Low

Wetland

Health,

High threats

High Wetland

Health Score,

Low Threats

Periodic Monitoring,

Light management

Moderate

Wetland

Health, High

threats

Active Management,

regular monitoring

High priority

wetlands for active

management

Wetland PrioritizationLow Priority for Management Intervention

High Priority

Establishing a hydrological monitoring system in the wetlands

Monitoring Water regimes (inflows and outflows)

• Water level: Staff gauge installation

• Depth: Bathymetric surveys (baselines)

• Hydrological monitoring (inflows, outflows)

• Water quality monitoring:

• Physico-chemical

• Macro-zoobenthic fauna: Two seasons

• Phytoplankton and zooplankton diversity and density

• Macrophytic diversity and density

4. Developing a Management Plan

STEP 1

Describing the wetland and its values

STEP 2

Identifying threats

STEP 3

Identifying management actions

STEP 4

Defining institutional arrangements

STEP 5

Budgeting and financing

Identifying management actions(To be identified in consultation with key stakeholders)

Wetland committees

Notification of wetlands

Management plans

Monitoring and evaluation

Institutions & Governance

Biodiversity Surveys

Hydrological Assessments

Water Quality studies

Assessment of socio-economic aspects

Monitoring and research

Formation of wetland mitras

Awareness programme

Outreach Activities

Capacity building and education programme

Communication tools

CEPA

Identification of micro-enterprise development based on assessment of community livelihoods, capacities, resources and market linkages

Sustainable income generation plan

Eco tourism plan

Sustainable livelihoods and

ecotourism

Inventorization of flora and fauna of the wetland

Seasonal biodiversity surveys

Species and habitats conservation

Bathymetry profiles

Selective dredging and desilting based on bathymetric profile

Restoration of connectivity (assessments and basin level work)

Stipulation of environmental flows

Water quality improvement programmes (agriculture, sewage)

Seasonal water quality assessments and wetland health assessments

Water and basin management

Boundary mapping and delineation:

Establishment of site boundary and zone of influence with reference to inundation regimes, soil conditions, vegetation types and landscape connectivity

Removal of encroachments through notification of wetland boundary and implementation of legal protection.

Catchment Conservation

Agencies to be

engaged

Forest

Department, Gram

Panchayats, Van

Panchayats,

Watershed dept

Agencies to be

engaged

Department of

Tourism, Tour

operators and

Hiking and

Trekking

Groups

Agencies to be

engaged

SWA, Forest

Department,

Colleges and

Universities

Agencies to be

engaged

District

Administration,

Forest Dept,

Irrigation

Department,

research

institutes

Agencies to be

engaged

Forest Department,

SWA, District

Wetland

Committees,

Biodiversity

Committees, Gram

and Van Panchayats

Agencies to be engaged

District Administration,

Irrigation Department,

research institutes

Agencies to be

engaged

Forest Department,

Local colleges,

universities, expert

institutions

5. WETLAND MITRAS-

Deepening engagement with Stakeholders

WETLAND

MITRAS

People living along

wetlands People residing in

the catchment/z

one of influence

Communities (fisherman,

boatmen)

BS&G, NSS, Asha

Anganwadi, Sanitation Workers

Panchayat Raj

Institutions, Urban local bodies, DGC

Nodal officers

Schools, universities,

colleges, NGOs,

Civil Society Organization

Corporate houses,

Industries

Government Department at District, State and

Centre level

Religious institutions,

ashrams, faith based

organizations

Mitra

Enrolment

Form

Disseminate the concept

Open call for participation/ engagement

GO/office order by State Wetland

Authority

Disseminate the concept

Open call for participation/ engagement

GO/office order by State Wetland

Authority

Identify self-motivated individuals who can

mobilize others

Liaise with Educational Institutes,

NCC, NSS, Gram Panchayats/Urban

Local Bodies

Identify self-motivated individuals who can

mobilize others

Liaise with Educational Institutes,

NCC, NSS, Gram Panchayats/Urban

Local Bodies

Encourage District Wetland Committee/ Wetland managers to organize consultative

meetings and workshops with enrolled mitras

Purpose and objectives of wetland

mitra network

Develop Action plan for a year

Encourage District Wetland Committee/ Wetland managers to organize consultative

meetings and workshops with enrolled mitras

Purpose and objectives of wetland

mitra network

Develop Action plan for a year

Support Wetland Mitras with capacity building initiatives,

tools and knowledge

Review and modify action plans as

needed

Support Wetland Mitras with capacity building initiatives,

tools and knowledge

Review and modify action plans as

needed

Evaluate the performance against

objectives

SWA to recognize best performers

(group and individual) Wetland mitras

Evaluate the performance against

objectives

SWA to recognize best performers

(group and individual) Wetland mitras

ENROLLMENT TO ACTION

Start small; slowly expand the network

Understanding the concept, enrolling as

Mitras

Capacity Building of Mitras, understanding

roles and responsibilities

Liaison with Educational Institutes, NCC, NSS, Gram Panchayats/ Urban Local

Bodies

Meetings with District Wetland Committee and

Wetland Managers

Developing the short term and long term action plan

for the year

Engagement in outreach, conservation and policy

and advocacy works.

Monthly/quarterly Meetings and

Performance evaluation Recognition

And the conservation journey continues

0-1 Months 2-3 Months 3-5 Months

5-6 Months 6-7 Months 8-12 Months

Ongoing15 -18 Months8-15 Months

Timelines

Objective 1: Wetlands critical to maintain the hydrological, geomorphological and ecological balance of the Ganga basin are identified, their health status is established and conservation measures identified.

Objective 2: Ecosystem based, community-led models for rejuvenating wetlands are demonstrated to enhance aviralta and nirmalta, and strategy for scale up at the basin level is developed.

Objective 3: Enabling policies for integrating wetland conservation in relevant and supporting programmes at the State and National level to facilitate restoration of aviral Ganga are developed.

Objective 4: Stakeholders are empowered to contribute constructively to conservation of river-wetland continuum.

Integrated river and wetland conservation efforts rejuvenate the Ganga and provide ecosystem services for people and nature.

Next steps: Mapping of Wetlands in the Districts focusing on urban, floodplain and high biodiversity value wetlands: A Citizen’s Initiative

Geo-Spatial Mapping of Wetlands

Ground TruthingSurvey by

Wetland Mitrasto assess bio-

physical characters and assessment of

Wetland Health

Stakeholder Perception

Survey

Validation from cadastral records

Development of Wetland Inventory

District Ganga Committees championing the cause of Wetland Conservation

Inventorization of Wetlands and Preparation of Brief Documents

Preparation of Wetland Health Cards

Enrollment of Wetland Mitras

Preparation of Integrated Management Plan