Microbial Biodiversity

Microbial Diversity is an integral part of wetland biodiversity which includes bacteria, archaea, fungi, algae, protozoa and protists. East Kolkata Wetland shows an immense diversity of flora and fauna not only at the micro level but at the macro level also. Microbial richness of a region is its unseen asset that needs to be explored and conserved. Soil samples collected from EKW shows the presence of various new strains of microbes which are not only ecologically important, but also have commercial value. These include Actinobacteria, which are responsible for the degradation of nitrophenol, nitroaromatic compounds, pesticides and herbicides; Proteobacteria related to the bioremediation of heavy metals, degradation and recycling of woody tissues of plants, oil contaminated soil and toxic compounds and nitrogen fixation along with the cyanobacters playing important roles in metal accumulation, oil degradation, antimicrobial compound production, enzyme production etc.

Flora
The EKW thrives with flora with over 100 plant species being identified.

Several kinds of water hyacinths grow across these wetlands. Local farmers and fisher folk use water hyacinth to create a buffer between land and water to minimize erosion.

The area is also home to a large numbers of coconut and betel nut trees. Many varieties of vegetables are farmed here, including cauliflower, eggplant, pumpkin, sunflower and sacred basil. Tracts of land are dedicated to paddy cultivation as well.


Fauna

Numerous species of fish are farmed in the sewage fed ponds called bheris in these wetlands. These include silver carp, tilapia, The area is also home to marsh mongoose and small Indian mongoose. Palm Civet and Small Indian Civet are significant in and around the Wetlands. Approximately 20 mammals are reported from this region, including variety of Snakes.

Fishing in the early morning