638
fi shes are recorded in many of the Beels
(Kar and Dey 2002 ; Kar 2007 ). It may be
mentioned here that advanced fry of Hilsa
has been recorded in Chatla Haor seasonal
fl oodplain wetland in Assam. This Haor also
contains juveniles of IMC. (g) Nevertheless,
some of the problems of the Beels are (i)
eutrophication, siltation and weed infestation. These problems have been posing threat
to sustenance and conservation of the Beels.
The destruction of the wetlands of Assam
had, possibly, started with the arrival of the
water hyacinth from Central America more
than a century ago. Extensive growth of this
fast-growing weed obstructs sunlight for the
fl ora. They also cause faster eutrophication.
Further, human settlements have largely converted the wetlands into agricultural lands.
Consequently, there has been sharp depletion
of fi sh production in the wetlands. In view of
the above situation, 0.20 lakh tons of fi sh is
imported to NE India annually to meet the
demands in the domestic markets. Out of
this, 0.14 lakh tons is consumed in Assam.
The total fi sh production from Assam’s wetlands is 1.55 lakh tons per year. Thus, a total
of 1.69 lakh tons of fi sh is to be obtained in
Assam from imports as well as local wetlands.
Conversely, the total demand for fi sh in the
state is estimated at 2.21 lakh tons per year,
6.68 % of which is met from imports from
other states (Govt. of Assam, 2006). As a
result, there is a defi cit of 0.52 lakh tons of
fi sh every year. Thus, the price of fi sh has
increased by leaps and bounds, and the poor
men cannot easily afford to buy fi sh.
18. Wetlands have been sustaining human race
since the dawn of civilisation. As an example, some of the pristine human communities
were known to be living along the shores of
East African lakes. This is quite true for other
continents and countries as well. It is likely
that lakes have been exploited throughout the
history of mankind mainly for water and
food. A large portion of biota depend on
lakes as sources of both. It would, perhaps,
be quite unrealistic to suggest, in the name of
‘wildlife protection’, that lakes should cease
to be used. Water, fi sh, AM, plankton and
other lake products are renewable resources,
hence, if prudently managed, could be of
value indefi nitely. Thus, all aspects of life of
lakes could be retained, and this constitutes
real ‘conservation’.
In fi ne, it could be said that the wetland scenario in the globe has not been very well
documented, particularly with GIS database.
As such, it sometimes becomes diffi cult to
assess the exact status of the wetlands and
future course of action to be taken, if any.
Studies revealed that the number of threats is
inversely proportional to sustainability of
wetlands. It is a good sign that the impression about the signifi cance of wetlands has
been gaining importance at the highest level
of Indian administration. It is expected that
such welcome changes throughout the globe
are essential in order the conserve these precious resources of nature sustaining coveted
life forms.
Suggested Readings
Ahmad N (1980) Hilsa fi shery of East Bengal. J Asiatic
Soc (Sci) 20:55–58
Armentano TV (1990) Soils and ecology: tropical wetlands. In: Williams M (ed) Wetlands: a threatened
landscape. Basil Blackwell, Oxford, pp. 65–70
Chopra R (1985) The state of India’s environment.
Ambassador Press, New Delhi, pp-393
Gopal B, Mitsch WJ (eds) (1995) The role of vegetation in
created and restored wetlands. Special Issue of Ecol
Eng 5:1–121
Gosselink JG, Turner RE (1978) The role of hydrology in
freshwater wetland ecosystems. In: Good RE, Whigam
DF, Simpson RL (eds) Freshwater wetlands: ecological processes and management potential. Academic
Press, New York, pp 63–78
Immirzi CP, Maltby E, Clymo RS (1992) The global status of peatlands and their role in carbon cycling.
Wetland Ecosystems Research Group, Department of
Geography, University of Exeter. Prepared for Friends
of the Earth, London, 145 pp
Kar D (1990) Limnology and fi sheries of Lake Sone in
the Cachar district of Assam (India). Matsya
15–16:209–213
Kar D (1999a) Preliminary study of limnology and
aquatic biota of Rudra Sagar wetland in South
Tripura. In: Proceedings of regional seminar on biodiversity, Guwahati
29 Potentials and Problems of Wetlands
fi shes are recorded in many of the Beels
(Kar and Dey 2002 ; Kar 2007 ). It may be
mentioned here that advanced fry of Hilsa
has been recorded in Chatla Haor seasonal
fl oodplain wetland in Assam. This Haor also
contains juveniles of IMC. (g) Nevertheless,
some of the problems of the Beels are (i)
eutrophication, siltation and weed infestation. These problems have been posing threat
to sustenance and conservation of the Beels.
The destruction of the wetlands of Assam
had, possibly, started with the arrival of the
water hyacinth from Central America more
than a century ago. Extensive growth of this
fast-growing weed obstructs sunlight for the
fl ora. They also cause faster eutrophication.
Further, human settlements have largely converted the wetlands into agricultural lands.
Consequently, there has been sharp depletion
of fi sh production in the wetlands. In view of
the above situation, 0.20 lakh tons of fi sh is
imported to NE India annually to meet the
demands in the domestic markets. Out of
this, 0.14 lakh tons is consumed in Assam.
The total fi sh production from Assam’s wetlands is 1.55 lakh tons per year. Thus, a total
of 1.69 lakh tons of fi sh is to be obtained in
Assam from imports as well as local wetlands.
Conversely, the total demand for fi sh in the
state is estimated at 2.21 lakh tons per year,
6.68 % of which is met from imports from
other states (Govt. of Assam, 2006). As a
result, there is a defi cit of 0.52 lakh tons of
fi sh every year. Thus, the price of fi sh has
increased by leaps and bounds, and the poor
men cannot easily afford to buy fi sh.
18. Wetlands have been sustaining human race
since the dawn of civilisation. As an example, some of the pristine human communities
were known to be living along the shores of
East African lakes. This is quite true for other
continents and countries as well. It is likely
that lakes have been exploited throughout the
history of mankind mainly for water and
food. A large portion of biota depend on
lakes as sources of both. It would, perhaps,
be quite unrealistic to suggest, in the name of
‘wildlife protection’, that lakes should cease
to be used. Water, fi sh, AM, plankton and
other lake products are renewable resources,
hence, if prudently managed, could be of
value indefi nitely. Thus, all aspects of life of
lakes could be retained, and this constitutes
real ‘conservation’.
In fi ne, it could be said that the wetland scenario in the globe has not been very well
documented, particularly with GIS database.
As such, it sometimes becomes diffi cult to
assess the exact status of the wetlands and
future course of action to be taken, if any.
Studies revealed that the number of threats is
inversely proportional to sustainability of
wetlands. It is a good sign that the impression about the signifi cance of wetlands has
been gaining importance at the highest level
of Indian administration. It is expected that
such welcome changes throughout the globe
are essential in order the conserve these precious resources of nature sustaining coveted
life forms.
Suggested Readings
Ahmad N (1980) Hilsa fi shery of East Bengal. J Asiatic
Soc (Sci) 20:55–58
Armentano TV (1990) Soils and ecology: tropical wetlands. In: Williams M (ed) Wetlands: a threatened
landscape. Basil Blackwell, Oxford, pp. 65–70
Chopra R (1985) The state of India’s environment.
Ambassador Press, New Delhi, pp-393
Gopal B, Mitsch WJ (eds) (1995) The role of vegetation in
created and restored wetlands. Special Issue of Ecol
Eng 5:1–121
Gosselink JG, Turner RE (1978) The role of hydrology in
freshwater wetland ecosystems. In: Good RE, Whigam
DF, Simpson RL (eds) Freshwater wetlands: ecological processes and management potential. Academic
Press, New York, pp 63–78
Immirzi CP, Maltby E, Clymo RS (1992) The global status of peatlands and their role in carbon cycling.
Wetland Ecosystems Research Group, Department of
Geography, University of Exeter. Prepared for Friends
of the Earth, London, 145 pp
Kar D (1990) Limnology and fi sheries of Lake Sone in
the Cachar district of Assam (India). Matsya
15–16:209–213
Kar D (1999a) Preliminary study of limnology and
aquatic biota of Rudra Sagar wetland in South
Tripura. In: Proceedings of regional seminar on biodiversity, Guwahati
29 Potentials and Problems of Wetlands