RESTORATION / MITIGATION AND MANAGEMENT/ MONOTORING PROGRAMMES :
Restoration is required to improve the quality of water and its catchment conditions inorder to ensure sustainable use of wetland resources. The necessary steps to be implemented in restoring watershed area are,
- Pollution impediment: Waste water, solid and semi solid wastes entering in to the waterbody from external sources (mainly agricultural activities at Sharavathi, Sharmanavathi and Haridravathi areas) are to be controlled.
- Reduction in the external loading: A reduction of the external loading could be achieved by elimination of the total wastewater input to the river through engineered wetlands at Sharavathi, Sharmanavathi and Haridravathi areas where the agricultural wastes and silt are drained.
As a extension of restoration programme, watershed management practices involving appropriate catchment treatment involving soil conservation measures are essential for protecting land against all forms of deterioration, conserving water for farm use, proper management of local water for drainage, flood protection and sediment reduction and increasing productivity from all land uses. Best management practices (BMPs) proposed in this regard (EPA, 1999) include:
- Pollution alleviation practices be applied to reduce the engendering of non-point source of pollution (mainly agricultural and storm runoff at Hosanagara) through source reduction, waste minimisation and process control.
- Afforestation with inborn species in desolate areas around the wetland (mainly Hosanagara area) to control the entry of silt from run off.
- Constructed wetlands for the purpose of stormwater management and pollutant removal from the surface water flows.
- On soils with a tendency to crust, management options include planting seeds at shallow depths, protecting the soil surface with mulch or crop residues, maintaining a rough soil surface by not over-tilling seed-beds, keeping the soil surface moist until seedlings emerge, selecting crops such as corn that are able to exert pressure during emergence, planting two to four seeds together to increase the pressure they exert during germination, and using transplants rather than seeds.
- Gyration of crops rather than monocultures to reduce the need for N and assist with pest control and help in aeration of soil.
- Promoting public education programs regarding proper use and disposal of agricultural and other waste materials.
- Monitoring programme
The purpose of monitoring is to map out the actual environmental impact and the resulting changes in the environmental conditions in the impact area of a project. Regular monitoring of wetland are rudimentary in order to determine and register the changes in water, soil, flora and fauna and reflects integrated environmental changes, capable of affecting all biotic components of the environment, including human beings.
Monitoring also reveals any unpredicted effects of the project thus helping to minimize the adverse impact. The monitoring programme includes;
- about the effects to be monitored;
- about the methods to be used;
- dates of sampling data;
- the overall length of the monitoring program ;
- Reclamation plan.
The restoration agenda with an ecosystem viewpoint through Best Management Practices (BMPs) and regular monitoring helps in correcting point and non-point sources of pollution. This along with regulations and planning for wildlife habitat and fishes helps in arresting the declining water quality and the rate in loss of wetlands. These restoration goals require profound planning, authority and funding along with the financial resources and active involvement from all levels of organisation (Governmental and Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), research organisations, media, etc.) through interagency and intergovernmental processes all made favorable in innovating and inaugurating the restoration programs. Network of educational institutions, researchers, NGO's and the local people are suggested to help restore our fast perishing wetland ecosystem and conserve those at the verge of death by formulating viable plans, policies and management strategies.
