Introduction

Wetlands perform numerous valuable functions such as recycle nutrients, purify water, attenuate floods, maintain stream flow, recharge ground water, and also serve in providing drinking water source, fish, fodder, fuel, recreation to the society. The interaction of man with wetlands during the last few decades has been a concern largely due to the rapid population growth- accompanied by intensified industrial, commercial, and residential development further leading to pollution of wetlands by domestic, industrial sewage, and agricultural runoffs- as fertilizers, insecticides, and feedlot wastes. The fact that wetland values are overlooked has resulted in threat to the source of these benefits. In Bangalore wetlands are being lost on account of various anthropogenic activities largely due to shortsighted policies.

In order to curtail the present rate of destruction of wetlands, suitable guidelines are to be formulated to implement effective monitoring programs, involving suitable management strategies. The present paper highlights some of the major problems concerning wetlands of Bangalore and suggests suitable management criteria for sustainable usage of wetlands.