Function of the East Kolkata Wetland Management Authority (EKWMA)

Function of the East Kolkata Wetland Management Authority (EKWMA)
The East Kolkata Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Act 2006 represents an integral landmark for establishing an appropriate institutional regime for managing this Ramsar Site. The Act termed EKW as a Wetland of International Importance and its various ecosystem services, including regulation of water regime, mechanism for waste water treatment as source for underground water recharging and other socio cultural values. It also recognized the immense urbanization pressure on the wetland and the need to prevent its conversion for alternate uses. Any further diminution of the wetland area, change in its (ecological) character, and land use was banned under the act.

It paved way for establishment of the East Kolkata Wetland Management Authority for conservation and management of the wetlands and identified the following fuctions:-

• Demarcation of the wetland boundaries, detecting changes in ecological character and land use and enforcing land use control 
• Preventing any unauthorized developmental project within the boundaries of the wetland system 
• Preventing any mining, quarrying, blasting or any similar operation to protect and conserve the wetland system 

• Undertaking measures to abate pollution and conserving the wetland biodiversity 
• Promoting research and networking with other Ramsar sites 
• Raising awareness on wetlands in general and EKW in particular
• Promoting conservation principles like sewage-fed fisheries and eco-tourism
• Improving community livelihoods and quality of life 

EKWMA is also undertaking efforts for grave improving community livelihoods and quality of life while ensuring maintenance of ecological character of the wetland system.

A number of villages in EKW are affected by grave arsenic contamination. The authority has therefore granted permission to the KMC (Kolkata Municipal Corporation) for setting up of a water treatment plant at Dhapa to provide purified drinking water.

The sanitation situation within EKW also needs urgent attention. A survey was carried out to understand the exact extent of the problem. Data on access to toilets, drinking water sources and availability, diseases, status and adequacy of access to community health infrastructure was compiled. This data will form the basis of implementation of a comprehensive community health programme. The main aim of the programme would be to greatly improve the existing sanitation facilities.

Limited afforestation programmes have also been taken up within the wetland area with financial support of the Ministry of Environment and Forests, with an objective of enhancing local hydrological regimes and access to non wood based products. The locations were identified in consultation with the communities and considering the hydrological and ecological aspects. A total of 5000 seedlings, comprising a mixture of both deciduous and evergreen varieties were planted in the selected sites with the help of local residents, school children and clubs.

Further, the authority has identified 35 villages for electrification. This work will be funded by CESC (Calcutta Electric Supply Corporation) for installation of 220 KV overhead power line through EKW, without causing any land use change.

Over 20000 households live within the wetland complex

Bamboo provides an important livelihood option