407
in the peripheral region of mangrove wetland in the monsoon season at that time of
new seedlings are budding up, and growth of young mangroves. Cattle grazing at
during that time leads to poor regeneration and poor growth of mangrove vegetation
in the grazing areas. Hence, the intensive study is required to reduce grazing pressures on the wetland.
12.6 Conclusion and Recommendations
Impact assessment is the necessary requirement for various management and planning activities on a regional or global level. It has assumed greater importance in
view of the shrinkage and degradation of wetlands. Significant impact was observed
in Kalivelli wetland ecosystem due to various anthropogenic activities. The United
Nations and Ramsar Convention very clearly linked the importance of wetland for
the agriculture production and livelihood. It is believed that Kaliveli watershed provides an ideal site for a model study of integrated watershed development. Indeed
Kaliveli ecosystems get adjusted to moderate disturbances’ that humans have been
causing over centuries; an equilibrium or stabilization gets achieved. The management plans for Kaliveli should take into account the diverse uses made by villagers,
of this wetland. Traditional activities such as fishing, reed cutting, grazing, desalting
etc., if periodically monitored to prevent overuse, can cause little disturbance to the
lake.
Overall observation indicated that aquaculture and salt pan has contributed to the
major degradation of this wetland ecosystem. The financial benefits of aquaculture
form, specifically foreign exchange earnings and provision of employment, are
highly important to the Indian economy, but there is a need to minimize further its
social and environmental impacts. A number of policy measures are recommended
to increase enforcement and to decrease the environmental and social costs of
shrimp aquaculture in India. These measures have a focus on mangrove protection;
additional measures would be required to address other environmental and social
issues.
12.6.1 Legal Status
There are number of laws within the constitution of India that can be directly applied
in protecting Kalivelli wetland ecosystem. Even now, the Kalivelli is not declared as
a protected area. It is unfortunate that a water tank with such importance does not
fall under the control of department of environment and forests. India is a signatory
of the Ramsar Convention for protection of wetland ecosystems, which it has
approved. Protecting Kalivelli could be an important starting point. To protect the
wetland from habitat loss, degeneration and alteration, the following approaches are
suggested.
12 Assessment of Anthropogenic Threats to the Biological Resources of Kaliveli…
in the peripheral region of mangrove wetland in the monsoon season at that time of
new seedlings are budding up, and growth of young mangroves. Cattle grazing at
during that time leads to poor regeneration and poor growth of mangrove vegetation
in the grazing areas. Hence, the intensive study is required to reduce grazing pressures on the wetland.
12.6 Conclusion and Recommendations
Impact assessment is the necessary requirement for various management and planning activities on a regional or global level. It has assumed greater importance in
view of the shrinkage and degradation of wetlands. Significant impact was observed
in Kalivelli wetland ecosystem due to various anthropogenic activities. The United
Nations and Ramsar Convention very clearly linked the importance of wetland for
the agriculture production and livelihood. It is believed that Kaliveli watershed provides an ideal site for a model study of integrated watershed development. Indeed
Kaliveli ecosystems get adjusted to moderate disturbances’ that humans have been
causing over centuries; an equilibrium or stabilization gets achieved. The management plans for Kaliveli should take into account the diverse uses made by villagers,
of this wetland. Traditional activities such as fishing, reed cutting, grazing, desalting
etc., if periodically monitored to prevent overuse, can cause little disturbance to the
lake.
Overall observation indicated that aquaculture and salt pan has contributed to the
major degradation of this wetland ecosystem. The financial benefits of aquaculture
form, specifically foreign exchange earnings and provision of employment, are
highly important to the Indian economy, but there is a need to minimize further its
social and environmental impacts. A number of policy measures are recommended
to increase enforcement and to decrease the environmental and social costs of
shrimp aquaculture in India. These measures have a focus on mangrove protection;
additional measures would be required to address other environmental and social
issues.
12.6.1 Legal Status
There are number of laws within the constitution of India that can be directly applied
in protecting Kalivelli wetland ecosystem. Even now, the Kalivelli is not declared as
a protected area. It is unfortunate that a water tank with such importance does not
fall under the control of department of environment and forests. India is a signatory
of the Ramsar Convention for protection of wetland ecosystems, which it has
approved. Protecting Kalivelli could be an important starting point. To protect the
wetland from habitat loss, degeneration and alteration, the following approaches are
suggested.
12 Assessment of Anthropogenic Threats to the Biological Resources of Kaliveli…