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Procedía Technology 24 (2016) 1691 - 1698
International Conference on Emerging Trends in Engineering, Science and Technology (ICETEST
- 2015)
Development with an ecological perspective focusing on Wetlands of Kadamakudy Panchayat, Kochi
Ar. Deepak Va*.
aSauparnika, Vadayampady P. O. PathamMile, Ernakulam-682308,Kerala, India
Abstract
Kochi is a rapidly growing commercial, industrial and trading centre of Kerala. Due to the tremendous growth and urbanization, the density of population in city is increasing every year. These factors have resulted in land use stresses, reducing open areas especially wetlands [1] in Kochi city for the past decades through land reclamation and encroachments. Again, anthropogenic activities like industrialisation, improper management of sewage and other solid waste lead to degradation of these ecosystems. This study discusses about the unique status of wetlands of Kadamakudypanchayat of Kochi with its Pokkali fields [2], fish farms. It also tries to propose guidelines, strategies and action plan at site specific level for development, conserving its wetlands along with its wise use in an ecological perspective keeping in mind the rapid urbanisation.
© 2016 The Authors.PublishedbyElsevierLtd. This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license (http://creativecommons.Org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/).
Peer-reviewunderresponsibility of theorganizingcommitteeofICETEST-2015 Keywords:Wetlads; Pokkali
1. Introduction
Wetlands as defined by Ramsar convention 1971, 'Wetlands are area of marsh, fen, peatland or water, whether natural or artificial, permanent or temporary, with water that is static or flowing, fresh, brackish or salt, including areas of marine water, the depth of which at low tide does not exceed six meter.'
Wetland ecosystems provide many services that contribute to human well-being and poverty alleviation. Some groups of people, particularly those living near wetlands, are highly dependent on these services and are directly harmed by their degradation. These ecosystems support high concentrations of birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians,
* Deepak V. Tel.: +91 9961397794. E-mail address: ashadeepak111@gmail.com,aashadeep@gmail.com
2212-0173 © 2016 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd. This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license (http://creativecommons.Org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/).
Peer-review under responsibility of the organizing committee of ICETEST - 2015 doi: 10.1016/j .protcy. 2016.05. 196
fish and invertebrate species (Out of 20,000 species of fish in the world, more than 40% live in fresh water)[3]. Wetlands are important storehouses of plant genetic materials. Rice, which is a common wetland plant is the staple diet of more than half of humanity. Also, 35 million people are directly engaged in fishing and aquaculture out of which 95% belongs to developing countries [4]. 64% of the world's wetlands have disappeared since 1900[5]. In Asia, the loss is even higher. Inland wetlands are disappearing at a faster pace than coastal ones [1].
Urban local bodies have an effective and key roleto play in safe guarding ecological sensitive areas like wetlands by adapting technological support for functions like identifying, monitoring and mitigating degradation, with active participation of all the stakeholders.
Responding to its multiple vulnerabilities, it is highly recommended to prioritise the need for conserving the tangible & intangible benefits of wetlands.
1.1. Methodology
The purpose of this study was not to achieve causal explanations or predictions, but rather to explore, identify and critically analyse wetlands and conservation practices, a qualitative research approach with a multiple-case studies on wetland policies and governance, wise use were employed as show in Fig 1.
Fig 1 Methodology
1.2. Background
The vast majority of recent scientific publications agree on the need for coordination between the various authorities responsible for the protection and management ofwetland ecosystems[6]. Wetland policies and management frameworks are failing to stop the destruction of wetlands and their conversion to other land uses, especially in areas with increased land use stress.
1.3. Needfor the Study
Wetlandsare the inherent characteristic of Kochi. About 95% of water sheet of Kochi comprises of wetlands and canals. Wetlands are threatened mainly by urban development, as a result of overburdened urban infrastructure and urban land uses; mainly public / semi-public. They are the initiators of major land use conversions, which are followed by residential and other commercial developments. Large developments look for easy land availability in close proximity to city core which are easily accessible. The study reveals the fact that, large extend of wetland in close proximity to urban core area are the most vulnerable to urban development and land use stresses.
1.4. Focus of the Study
The study attempts to formulatestudy attempts to formulate strategies & guidelines for the development with an ecological perspective focusing on wetlands of Kadamakudy panchayat, Kochi. The prime objective is to develop a spatial planning technique to guide development in coherent with wetlands of Kadamakudy panchayat. The scope is limited to the framework of National Wetland Conservation & Management Program (NWCMP, 2009) as the wetland definition by the Kerala Conservation of Paddy Land and Wetland Act, 2008 defines wetland and paddy land separately. But the Pokkali rice fields which is a G I [2] crop is being cultivated in wetlands.
2. Wetlands of Kadamakudy
The characteristic feature of the land utilization patternin the Kochi City is the predominance of water bodies and wetlands, as shown in Fig 2. The water body consists of canals and backwaters. These canals and backwaters served the purpose of transportation of men and materials earlier. Now a number of such canals have deteriorated as mere drainage channels.
Wetland ecosystem of Kadamakudy includes; rivers, lakes, marshes and Pokkali rice fields. It also provides many services that contribute to human well-being and poverty alleviation. Some of the most important wetland ecosystem services affecting human well-being involve fish supply, water availability, Pokkali paddy fields which are the primary source of nutrition to which the rural communities have access.
The unplanned reclamation of wetlands is likely to affect the ecological balance. In addition, there is restriction in reclamation of water body as per CRZ rules except for Port related activity. However encroachment of water bodies and wetlands continues by private parties, especially bythose who have their properties adjoining them. Most of the water bodies lie contiguous to the Pokkali paddy fields/ prawn farms and hence the clear boundary is not visible.
The land use percentage & land utilization pattern shown in Fig. 4& Fig. 5 shows that the land under water and wetlands (Pokkali paddy fields/fish farm) are getting converted to developed land. Green areais getting reduced, as show in and is confined predominantly in Kadamakudy panchayat of Goshree Islands Development Authority (GIDA) area of Kochi as shown in Fig.2 & 3(Generated from existing land use map 1971 & 2006, Department of Town Planning.
Fig. 2 Existing Land use Map of Kochi, 1971 -Wetlands.
Fig. 3 Existing Land use Map of Kochi, 2006 -Wetlands.
2.1. Wetlands & Pokkalí Paddy field / Fish farms
A variety of rice which are salt resistant locally called Pokkali are cultivated in the coastal regions of Emakulam, Alappuzha and Thrissur districts of Kerala state, India has been upgraded into the status of registered Geographical Indication (GI)[2]. It is a unique ecosystem situated adjacent to Vembanad Lake having rich biodiversity and capacity to produce rotational paddy and shrimp organically. It is a classic example of sustainable Agri. - Aqua integration providing a means of rural livelihood. The rice seedling grows in the natural way without addition of any fertilizers. These fields are waterlogged throughout the year. The crop that can grow up to 2m can survive in this area. The rice produced from this area is purely organic. Thus, pokkali fields are exception to other types of paddy fields.
Land use 1967 1988 2005
Area <sq Km) * Area isqkm) % Area (sq km) %
^ajgr bodies_ _ 2>n. ÎS.31, _ 3LP7. _2£78 __22,38
Low lying areas paddy 981 10.34 8.20 8.47 3.01 3.17|
Mixed vegetation 41 25 43.47 12.77 13 18 7.14 7 52
Parksopen grounds 0 36 0.38 0.36 0.37 0.65 0.69
Built up area 18 20 19.18 53.20 54.91 63 20 66.61
Beach 0.30 0.32 0.28 029 0 0
Total 94.88 100 94 88 100 94.88 100
Near « ¿iter Mu.lv Agricultural X Marshy Ann IK'M'hiprd bind Total
Aim in1 Heel 1 1 1 o( Mil Undirci jArea m< |№ct I * of Mil lindirn .Aim in1 (Ilea 1 '•. oi mal lind 1171
1981 I 2J.40* ll195 ! 116* 1607.1 i 64* 19488 100*
m 1878 1 19.so* hss i 8.451 W: i 7175* '9488 100*
»01 I7J5 1 I8.J0* ¡765 1 ' i 8.05* 6988 1 7165* 9488 IOO*
Fig. 4 Land use percentage of Kochi city shows a reducing trend in low lying areas / Paddy fields during 1967 to 2005.
Fig. 5. Land Utilization pattern of Kochi shows a decreasing Trend both in water sheet and Agricultural & marshy area, while the reduced percentage is correspondingly added to the Developed Land, which reveals the fact of land use conversion.
2.2. Findings: Wetland issues (Primary study)
• Population increase leads to encroachment of wetlands.
• Anthropogenic activities near public -semipublic land uses are more aggressive in degrading wetlands.
• Large parcels of wetlands in close proximity to city core are the most vulnerable to market forces.
Septic out lets are directly disposed into these wetlands resulting in pollution of ground water system. The sewage treatment plant covers only 1% of the population as per City Development Plan (CDP) Kochi.
It is estimated that, nearly 260 million liters of trade effluent reach Periyar estuary from the industrial belt daily. This discharge is loaded with heavy metals, nutrients and insecticides [3].
2.3. Critic of Existing Wetland Rules & Regulations
Wetlands are not delineated under any specific administrative jurisdiction. The primary responsibility for the management of these ecosystems is in the hands of the Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF). Although some wetlands are protected after the formulation of the Wildlife Protection Act, the others are in grave danger of extinction. Although there are a number of policies pertaining to Wetlands at national and state levels, the effectiveness is questionable since it could not regulate or manage wetland degradation at site specific level.
2.4. Direct economic valuesCritic of Existing Wetland Rules & Regulations
• Comparison between the gross and net value generated by both Traditional & Modern users shows why the wetlands even today play a vital role in the livelihood of the communities that depend on them.
• Around 85% of Net value is the contribution of Traditional resource users as shown in Fig. 6 (Economic valuation of coastal wetlands, Susan Abraham, 2004) and the rest is from the Modern resource users.
Activity Gross Value (2001- 02) Net Value (2001- 02)
Traditional Activities
Fishery 9824.60(29.31%) 8356.00(74.61%)
Agriculture 619.25 (1.85%) 293.42(2.62%)
Prawn Filtration 1341.04(4.00%) 575.10 (5.13%)
Clam & Lime shell collection 255.00 (0.76%) 174.00(1.55%)
Traditional Ferry 83.65 (0.25%) 80.53(0.72%)
Sub Total 12123.54 (36.17%) 9479.05 (84.63%)
Modern Activities
Aquaculture 280.91 (0.84%) 111.70 (1.0%)
Port Trust 20000.20 (59.67%) 1587.4 (14.17%)
Navigation 1114.91 (3.33%) 22.00 (0.20%)
Sub Total 21396.02 (63.83%) 1721.10 (15.37%)
Grant Total 33519.56 (100%) 11200.15 (100%)
Fig. 6 Direct Economic values generated from wetland based activities of traditional & modern resource users of Kochi.
3. Delineation of Study area
Islands of Kadamakudy panchayat lies along with 8 other panchayats of Goshree Island Development Authority (GIDA) area as in Fig 7 generated from GIDA Master plan 2012. These scattered islands lies towards north -western part of Kochi city comprising of entire Vypin islands, Vallarpadam, Bolgatty - Mulavukad island, Thanthonithuruthu and Kadamakudy islands (12,29 sq. km) in Vembanad Lake.
Fig. 7 Kadamakudy Panchayat of GIDA area&Landuse Map - GIDA
The predominant character of Kadamakudy panchayat is water bodies and wetlands. On land use analysis it is found that, wetland area has been considerably reduced and remaining area is now largely confined to Kadamakudy panchayat of GIDA area. It is hence of prime importance to conserve and make wise use of these natural resources while guiding the development in coherence with ecology of the panchayat.
3.1. Analysis of Study Area
• Land use analysis: On analysing the land use of GIDA islands (Fig 3) 26.15% (26, 150 Ha) comprise of wetlands, fish farm, paddy and marshy. Habitable land is very limited (15.84%) because of CRZ regulations. Of all the Panchayat in GIDA area, Kadamakudy Panchayat is the one having maximum extend of wetlands (72.88 % of 12.29Sq Km).
• Demography: As per census 2011, total population consists of 2, 14, 695 and total no of household is 52,467 average household sizes is 4.09.
• Agriculture: Pokkali / Fish farm is constituted majorly in Kadamakudy panchayat (72.88%). Least area is in Pallippuram panchayat.There has been a shift from rotation crop of pokkali and shrimp [6] to intensified shrimp cultivation because of lack of agricultural labourers as per Kadamakudy panchayat annual report 2014-15. The panchayat is predominantly oriented towards primary sector.
• Transportation: There is good transportation network in all other panchayat in GIDA area except Kadamakudy panchayat. The panchayat comprises of a group of 9 small islands. Even though the panchayat is located only at 320m from Kochi city, it is deprived of easy connectivity to main land and also within islands. Connectivity through inland water way system is most appropriate for Kadamakudy, where there is high network of internal canal system. This could also protect and regulate development without disturbing its inherent character, unlike other islands where connectivity has induced rapid development and escalation of land cost [7].
• On-going and Future proposals: Projects of national importance like International Container Transshipment Terminal at Vallarpadam and LNG Terminal at Vypin of GIDA area are in the next phase of development. On-going project in Kadamakudy panchayat is the 22m wide road connectivity from Moolampilly (ICTT Road) to Chathanad via Pizhala and Valiyakadamakudy as per GIDA master plan2011.
4. Biodiversity of GIDA area
The study reveals a drastic decrease in the coverage ofwetlandsas in fig. 8 which contributed to a proportionate increase mainly in Built up area andactivities to develop the necessary infrastructure to the growing populace, like roads, bridges, railways, etc. There is a decrease in Mangrove, Pokkali as well as paddy farming, also reduction in mangrove coverage (10.84%) an obvious consequence of urbanisation [10]. This again hints towards the ineffectiveness of wetland regulations at site specific level.
Fig. 8 patio-Temporal
changes of Wetlands&Rate of Reduction of Total Wetlands
5. Findings & Inference
Land is a scarce resource especially for a fast growing urban centre as Kochi. Again, with its major share of wetlands is experiencing immense land use stress for new developments. Hence any conservation policy/ strategy / guidelines to be effective, should have direct implication on the ground reality. And it should be evidently distinct from legislations like land acquisition act of 1894, which envisage acquisition by the government for "public purposes".
5.1. Theoretical Framework for Kadamakudy Panchayat
• Policy level:
Approach of setting standard policy directives or universal ecological reference points is ineffective in urban wetland governance. Strategies and mitigation measures should be site specific. Need for state & urban local body (ULB) level financial plans for biodiversity. Establishing or strengthening monitoring programs, including monitoring of land use change, providing near-real-time information of biodiversity change at urban local body (ULB) level.
• Strategies:
Wetland inventory is to be made at ULB level with people participatory approach as in Fig. 9 (author generated) Inventory should be linked to revenue records (e.g. It should be an integral part of land deed document). Payment for Ecological Services (PES)[8] should be made available for the land owners, for he is the custodian of the property. Promoting initiatives that support traditional and local knowledge on biodiversity and promote wise use of wetland resources, including traditional health care initiative & Passive Tourism. A buffer zone for ecologically sensitive area (ESA)[5] as ECOTONE[3] is to be delineated (e.g. ESA-1: No development zone, ESA-2: Low to Medium development zone & ESA-3: Medium to High development zone)[1] as in fig. 10 (author generated)
• Local level action Plan:
Inventory preparation (Wetlands & other ecosystems) with stakeholder participation. Concept of 'MICRO SHOP', where value added products from paddy / Shrimp could be marketed online exploring the concept of e-commerce. 'Nature Walk' - Recreational opportunity for city dwellers & Bicycle Trail. Passive Tourism to boost up local economy- Hands on experience of cultivation for students - Awareness of Environmental issues. Boating, Bird Watching, Sport fishing, Sea Food counters.
Ward No. Name of ward' Place Location Name ol Owner Survey No. Extent ol Land
(AREA OF COVERAGE IN ACRES)
Mangrove Paddy/ Fish Farm Pond Canal Others
(5) (4) (3) (2) (1)
Area (M) Area (P/F) Area (P) Area (C) Area (0;
5 x M 4 x P/F 3 x P 2 x C 1x0
Eco Sensitivity Score: 5 x (M) + 4 x (P/F) + 3 x (P) + 2 x (C) + 1x (0) =.........
Fig.9Wetland inventory & Eco-sensitivity Score &Existing edge pattern & Buffer zone recreated as a part of restoration
6. Conclusion
The inherent character of Kadamakudy is its beautiful backwaters and associated wetlands. Degradation of these natural bounties in the course of rapid urban development will not only disturb the ecology but also create threat to the basic survival of human society.Urban local bodies have an effective role to play in safe guarding ecological sensitive areas like; wetlands through active participation of all the stakeholders.Again a regional level ecological system based approach (e.g. like watershed area management) at planning level should be prepared as a base layer on which all other coordinated frameworks should be laid for any urban development.
References
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[4] Koen Hufkens, P. S. (2008). Ecotones in vegetation ecology: methodologies and definitions revisited. The Ecological Society of Japan .
[5] Madhav Gadgil, R. J. (2011). Mapping ecologically sensitive, significant and salient areas of Western Ghats: proposed protocols and methodology. Current Science , 175-182.
[6] Ranga, M. R. (2006). Transformation of coastal wetland agriculture and livelihoods in Kerala, India. Manitoba, Canada: Natural resources institute, University of Manitoba.
[7] T.S., D. L. (2014). Urban landvalue - A case study of Cochin city. SCHOLARS WORLD-IRMJCR , 141-144.
[8] (2010). Water, Wetlands and Forest - A review of ecological economic and policy linkages. Switzerland: The Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity and the Secretariat of the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands.
[9] Abraham, S. (2004). Economic Valuation of Coastal Wetlands: A study of Cochin Backwaters of Kerala. Kochi: Cochin university of Science & Technology.
[10] P.T., D. (2012). Spatio-Temporal Changes in the Wetland Ecosystem of Cochin City using Remote Sensing and GIS. Cochin: School of Environmental Studies, Cochin University of Science and Technology, Cochin.
