The Hindu : Karnataka / Bangalore News : `Wetlands too have economic value'

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Nov 04, 2005

Karnataka

Karnataka - Bangalore

`Wetlands too have economic value'

Staff Reporter

They are invaluable and are often used inefficiently: scientists

A MAJOR RESOURCE: The Hebbal Lake — Photo: K. Bhagya Prakash

BANGALORE: The rains might have driven home, rather late in the day, that it does no one any good to tamper with the topography and terrain of a city such as Bangalore, but scientists studying wetlands were in the know of what awaited the city for a long time. A study, "Economic valuation of wetlands", by T.V. Ramachandra, R. Rajinikanth and V.G. Ranjini of the Centre for Ecological Sciences, Indian Institute of Science, in September 2003 discussed the value of ecosystems.

The paper noted that the services provided by wetlands are invaluable, and they are often used inefficiently because of a lack of knowledge about the vital functions performed by them. It made out a strong case for public-private stakeholder partnerships in managing ecosystems in a sustainable manner.

Proposing the Wetlands Conservation Action Plan, Dr. Ramachandra told The Hindu : "We need to develop a wetland database; increase understanding of wetland dynamics; strengthen legislation, policies, agreements and compliance; increase public awareness and commitment to protection of wetlands; and promote wetland conservation in protected areas (national parks and wildlife sanctuaries).

Economic valuation was taken up in the catchment areas of Hebbal, Amruthahalli and Rachenahalli lakes. The study found that the people of villages around the lake mainly depend on it for livestock maintenance. Agriculture was practised in parts of Hebbal, Geddadahalli and Bhoopasandra areas around Hebbal Lake, and the irrigation cost was calculated at Rs. 5 to Rs. 19 a hectare daily.

Lake restoration, the study found, led to an increase in dependency on agriculture as people now had access to the clean water of the lake.

Dependence on wetlands

The purpose of the study was to assess the requirements of local communities and their dependency on wetlands. Rachenahalli Lake supported agricultural activities, provided fish and helped in the maintenance of livestock, and these benefits were estimated to be worth Rs. 10,435 a day. The benefits from Amruthahalli Lake were worth only Rs. 20 a day, the study has found. Groundwater, regarded as an indirect value, varied from 50 ft in the vicinity of Rachenahalli Lake to 250 ft at a distance of 2 km to 3 km. The perviousness of the lakebed meant better recharge and flood protection capacity. In the case of Amruthahalli Lake, the water table varied from 180 ft in the vicinity of the lake to 400 ft at distance of 3 km. The lake had lower flood protection value, the study found. Dr. Ramachandra said a wetland management policy must be geared for maintenance of functions and values derived from wetlands and recognition of wetland functions in resource planning, management and economic decision-making.

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