The Vanishing Heart of India’s Cities
India’s urban wetlands, once the life-giving ecosystems that nourished and sustained our cities, are now facing an alarming rate of destruction. Over the past three decades, nearly 30% of the country’s natural wetlands have been lost, mainly to unplanned urbanization, pollution, and unsustainable development.
The situation is particularly dire in India’s major metropolitan areas. Hyderabad, for instance, has seen a staggering 55% decline in its wetlands due to inefficient waste management, rising pollution, and unchecked urban expansion. Other cities have fared even worse, with Chennai losing 90% of its wetlands and Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, and Delhi-NCR each losing between 37-71% of their vital water bodies.
This widespread loss of urban wetlands poses serious consequences for the resilience and sustainability of our cities. These precious ecosystems not only support rich biodiversity, but also provide critical services such as groundwater recharge, flood mitigation, water purification, and climate regulation. Their disappearance threatens water security, exacerbates urban challenges like heat islands and waterlogging, and disrupts the delicate balance of urban environments.
Reclaiming the Blue-Green Mosaic
Recognizing the urgent need to protect and revive India’s urban wetlands, policymakers and communities are taking important steps forward. The National Mission for Clean Ganga has formulated a toolkit for managing urban water bodies, while the Delhi Development Authority’s Master Plan Delhi 2041 outlines strategies to create an integrated network of “green and blue assets” in the capital.
These initiatives reflect a growing understanding that wetlands must be mainstreamed into urban planning and development processes, ensuring they are not treated as isolated ecosystems but as vital components of resilient, sustainable cities. By integrating wetland conservation with climate change adaptation, biodiversity protection, and community engagement, we can unlock the true potential of these blue-green spaces.
Community-Driven Wetland Revival
One of the most inspiring aspects of urban wetland conservation in India is the emergence of grassroots initiatives led by passionate individuals and local communities. Take the example of Ramveer Tanwar, who has single-handedly revived around 20 ponds and lakes in and around Noida through a five-step process: cleaning out invasive species and trash, dredging the water bodies, creating walking paths, and finally refilling them with water.
Tanwar’s success highlights the power of community engagement and the value of local knowledge. By raising awareness, mobilizing residents, and securing private funding, he has demonstrated that small-scale, community-led efforts can make a significant impact on reviving urban wetlands. Similar initiatives, such as Narayan Choudhary’s “Talab Bachao Abhiyan” in Bihar and Shweta Hule’s “Swamini” mangrove conservation program in Maharashtra, have also shown the potential for grassroots action.
Towards a Wetland-Centric Urban Vision
As India’s cities continue to grow, the conservation of urban wetlands must be at the forefront of our sustainable development agenda. This will require a multi-pronged approach that includes:
-
Strengthening Policy and Enforcement: Existing regulations like the Wetlands Conservation and Management Rules, 2017 need to be empowered with stronger implementation mechanisms and increased community participation.
-
Improving Data and Monitoring: Comprehensive wetland inventories, using advanced remote sensing and GIS technologies, can provide the knowledge base needed to guide effective conservation efforts.
-
Fostering Collaborative Governance: Bringing together diverse stakeholders, from urban planners and water managers to ecologists and community groups, will be crucial for developing integrated, wetland-friendly urban development plans.
-
Scaling Up Community Initiatives: Successful small-scale wetland revival projects must be replicated and scaled up, with appropriate technical and financial support, to drive large-scale transformation.
-
Embedding Wetland Values in Urban Design: Integrating wetlands as crucial “green-blue infrastructure” can enhance the multifunctional benefits of urban landscapes, from biodiversity conservation to climate resilience.
By embracing this comprehensive, community-centric approach to urban wetland conservation, we can ensure that these vital ecosystems continue to thrive at the heart of India’s rapidly transforming cities. As the Joint Action for Water blog reminds us, the fate of our wetlands is inextricably linked to the well-being and sustainability of our urban centers. Let us work together to secure a future where Hyderabad and other cities flourish in harmony with their irreplaceable natural assets.
Leveraging Partnerships for Wetland Conservation
One promising development in the field of urban wetland conservation is the growing collaboration between government agencies, research institutions, and civil society organizations. For instance, the Space Applications Centre (SAC) under the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and the Indian Council of Agricultural Research-Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (ICAR-CMFRI) are working together to identify and demarcate smaller wetlands along India’s coastline.
Similarly, the National Biodiversity Centre in Singapore has partnered with the private Nature Society of Singapore to conduct comprehensive biodiversity surveys of the city-state’s nature reserves, leading to the discovery of numerous species previously unknown to exist in the urban area.
These cross-sectoral partnerships not only enhance our scientific understanding of urban wetlands, but also create opportunities for innovative conservation and restoration programs. By combining the expertise of researchers, policymakers, and local communities, we can develop holistic, evidence-based strategies to safeguard these critical ecosystems.
Restoring the Urban Wetland Mosaic
As we look to the future, the restoration and revitalization of India’s urban wetlands must be a top priority. Successful models like the one pioneered by Ramveer Tanwar show that even small-scale, community-led efforts can have a transformative impact. By scaling up these initiatives and integrating them into broader urban development plans, we can begin to rebuild the intricate mosaic of blue-green spaces that once defined our cities.
However, this is not a task that can be accomplished by any single stakeholder. It will require a collective effort, with all levels of government, civil society, and the private sector working in tandem to protect, revive, and celebrate the wetlands that lie at the heart of our urban environments.
Through innovative policies, collaborative governance, and a renewed commitment to community engagement, we can ensure that the urban wetlands of Hyderabad and other cities across India continue to thrive as vital, life-sustaining ecosystems. By doing so, we will not only safeguard the biodiversity and resources that our cities depend on, but also build more resilient, livable, and sustainable urban centers for generations to come.
