Study area

The study area includes the two major cities of India mainly Delhi and Mumbai. Both of these cities facing decrease in wetlands due to increased urbanization. 

Delhi is the capital of India and it is the fastest growing city in the country. It is largest metropolis by area and second largest metropolis by population after Mumbai. It is the eighth largest metropolis in the world by population with more than 16.75 million inhabitants in the territory and with nearly 22.2 million residents in the National capital region. It is located at 28.61° north latitude and 77.23° east longitude. It borders the Indian states of Uttar Pradesh to the east and Haryana on the north, west and south and is situated on the banks of the River Yamuna. 

Mumbai is the capital of the Indian state of Maharashtra. It is located 18°55’N latitude and 72°50’ E longitude and bounded by Arabian Sea to the west.It is the most populous city in India, and the sixth most populous city in the world and it is also considered as the commercial capital of India and serves as an economic hub of India.

Figure 1:  Two mega cities of India- Delhi and Mumbai