Jalaplavit_WWD2018Vol8(1)Final

A WWD-2018 Special Issue Vol.8, No.1., March 2018World Wetlands Day(WWD)-2018 ISSN 2321-1881 World Wildlife Day(WWD)-2018 World Water Day(WWD)-2018(About Urban & Suburban Wetlands and their Waters and Wildlife)Urban & Suburban Wetlands-Oases for Wild Birds & Birders Muggers of Vadodara Wetlands and Sustainable Urban Spaces Understanding Urban Wetlands Death of Vadodara Wetlands

Jalaplavit(ISSN 2321-1881), Vol.8, No.1 (WWD 2018 Special) Jalaplavit (ISSN 2321-1881) Vol. 8, No. 1, March 2018 (World Wetlands Day-2018 ,World Wildlife Day-2018, World Water Day- 2018 Special) Founding Editor: Dr. Ketan Tatu Page Editorial Associate Editor: Dr. Amita Tatu Dr. Ketan Tatu…………………………..……………………..3 Principal Technical Advisor: Reflections Prof. James T. Anderson, USA Dr. Pranav Trivedi……………………………………………..5 Advisor: Dr. Pranav Trivedi Muggers of Vadodara Dr. Raju Vyas……………………………………….…………….7 Technical Advisor(Fauna): Dr. Raju Vyas Wetlands and Sustainable Urban Spaces Dr. Ritesh Kumar…………………………………..………..12 Technical Advisor(Flora): Dr. Padamnabhi Nagar Understanding Urban Wetlands Richard Wolff…………………………………..............14 Copy Editor: Kandarp Kathju Urban and Suburban Wetlands-Oases for Foundation Layout & Design: Wild Birds and Birders Pugmark Qmulus Consortium Dr. Ketan Tatu & Avichal Tatu……………………….25 Design for the present issue Death of Wetlands in Vadodara City Ketan Tatu & Amita Tatu Dr. Deepa Gavli……………………………………………….30Cover Photo (Baikal Teal at Krushna- Kunj wetland in Victoria Park, Bhavnagar, Gujarat, India): K. Tatu Photographs in this issue are by: Picture Gallery …………………………………….…….35 2 Amita Tatu, Aniruddh Dabhi, Ashwin Trivedi, Avichal Tatu, Chinmay Agnihotri,Dhaval Varagiya, Irshad Theba, Ketan Tatu, Nilay Desai, Palak Thakor

Jalaplavit (ISSN 2321-1881), Vol.8, No.1 (WWD 2018 Special) EDITORIAL -Ketan TatuSursagar ‘lake’, Vadodara Amita TatuWorld Wetlands Day, World Wildlife Day & World Water Day In the year 2015, Ramsar concept, but this time the theme hasSecretariat had launched the theme- focused on the urban sector. Thus, the“Wetlands for Our Future” to observe global theme for World WetlandsWorld Wetlands Day all over the world. Day-2018 has been “Wetlands forIn 2016, it had encouraged the global Sustainable Urban Future”. A largehuman society to mark the Day by number of urbanites might not beextending the 2015’s theme by adding sensitized enough to appreciate thethe phrase “Sustainable Livelihoods”. fact that small and large wetlands inThus, in 2016, the global theme to and around their cities and towns areobserve World Wetlands Day or Our integral part of the landscapes of theirFuture-Sustainable Livelihood”. The respective cities and towns. As a partglobal theme for the year 2018 also of the landscape, they perform somerevolves around “Sustainability” vital functions that ultimately make 3

Jalaplavit (ISSN 2321-1881), Vol.8, No.1 (WWD 2018 Special)future of the urban areas sustainable. urban and suburban wetlands as wildHow Chennai (Tamil Nadu) faced bird habitats instead of UNESCO’s “Bigdevastating floods in December 2015 Cat Conservation” global message forand how Srinagar (Jammu & Kashmir) the year 2018. The article titledfaced Jhelum’s floods in September “Urban and Suburban Wetlands-Oases2014 is not unknown to many. But what for Wild Birds and Birders” has beenis still unknown to many is that incorporated in this issue to mark theconversion of wetland areas of these combination of the World Wetlandscities into the built area in the name Day’s “Urban Wetland” theme and theof “development” was the major World Wildlife Day.reason for those devastating floods.Many man-made wetlands in towns and This issue also marks one morecities provide freshwater for domestic important ‘Day’, i.e., “World Wateruses including drinking water. They Day”. Which is observed each year onalso support cities and towns in 22rd March as the United Nationsmaintaining/recharging ground-water General Assembly designated this datetable, filtering the polluted waters as World Water Day. It focusespercolating into the underground attention of the global human societyaquifer and quite often, providing on the importance of water. Thebiodiversity pockets amidst the city. theme for World Water Day 2018 hasMany urban people depend on been ‘Nature for Water’– exploringwetlands for recreation-based earning. nature-based solutions to the waterUndoubtedly, our urban and suburban challenges we face in the 21st century.wetlands make our cities and towns The section “Reflections” in this issuemore livable. This issue is being is incorporated to mark the Worldlaunched to mark the World Wetlands Water Day-2018.Day-2018 with the global theme of“Wetlands for Sustainable Urban One thing is sure, just byFuture”. Simultaneously, the issue also celebrating and observing thesemarks the UNESCO supported World “days”, no significant improvementWildlife Day that is observed on 3rd can be brought in the status ofMarch every year. We have taken a wetlands, their wildlife or theirliberty to emphasize importance of waters. These celebrations should be followed by continuous efforts through out the year. 4

Jalaplavit(ISSN 2321-1881), Vol.8, No.1 (WWD 2018 Special) Reflections…(Marking the World Water Day-2018) Pranav Trivedi [email protected] WATER is a great leveler.First, because it shows me My reflection,So that I can ponder over the most important questions about myself!Secondly, it reminds me of who I am – just a carrier of water (the body), a user of water and also an admirer of water.Third, it soothes and calms me – merely by its sight and touch and also through the breeze that passes over it…Fourth, it motivates me - providing the stimulus to just flow! Again and again it reminds me of my EGO coming in the way of my progress and the resistance that I offer to my own good.Fifth, it is a giver and nurturer of life – for which no descriptions are needed – you will agree!And finally, it belittles my EGO directly - by the way it reminds me of death; by drowning, flooding and inundation of vast areas of inhabitation.The power of WATER is seen, heard, felt and experienced and imagined by me in my waking, dreaming and meditative states…And so to this great leveller - the softest, smoothest and yet the most powerful elements on earth that makes the EARTH special by making, nurturing and taking LIFE –I bow to thee with great rerspect and reverence!!But wait, who am I bowing to?Am I not containing water myself?! Am I not a part of this great cycle of water on the earth?Am I not the dancing rain drop? Am I not the dewdrop lingering at the edge of the grass?!Do I not merge into the river, and the sea and the shower in my own bath-room?!Am I not then a ‘Reflection of Water’ in my own little – special way?! 5

Jalaplavit(ISSN 2321-1881), Vol.8, No.1 (WWD 2018 Special) If water is my reflection and if I am reflected in water – aren’t we ONE?!! And when I celebrate WATER in any way, do I not also celebrate my own self…and life itself?!But, neither I, nor you, nor water or whatsoever you consider in the Universe exists by itself – we are all separate and yet ONE… This is the GREAT TRUTH that reveals itself time and again….Happy World Water Day!! World Water DayWorld Water Day, on 22 March every year, is about focusing attention on the importance of water.World Water Day is coordinated by UN-Water – the UN’s inter-agency collaboration mechanism forall freshwater related issues - in collaboration with governments and partners. An internationalday to celebrate freshwater was recommended at the 1992 United Nations Conference onEnvironment and Development (UNCED) in Rio de Janeiro. The United Nations General Assemblyresponded by designating 22 March 1993 as the first World Water Day. The United Nations GeneralAssembly adopted resolution A/RES/47/193 of 22 December 1992 by which 22 March of each yearwas declared World Day for Water, to be observed starting in 1993, in conformity with therecommendations of the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED)contained in Chapter 18 (Fresh Water Resources) of Agenda 21. World Water Day is an internationalobservance and an opportunity to learn more about water related issues, be inspired to tell othersand take action to make a difference. Each year, UN-Water — the entity that coordinates the UN’swork on water and sanitation — sets a theme for World Water Day corresponding to a current orfuture challenge. The engagement campaign is coordinated by one or several of the UN-WaterMembers with a related mandate. The 2018 theme of the World Water Day is “Nature for Water”.It encourages to explores how we can use nature to overcome the water challenges of the 21stcentury. When we neglect our ecosystems, we make it harder to provide everyone with the waterwe need to survive and thrive. Nature-based solutions have the potential to solve many of ourwater challenges. (Source:http://www.un.org/en/events/waterday/index.shtml, http://www.un.org/en/events/waterday/background.shtml) 6

Jalaplavit(ISSN 2321-1881), Vol.8, No.1 (WWD 2018 Special)Muggers of Vadodara Raju Vyas [email protected] India is a vast country that is reservoirs and even streams, villageknown for its diversified cultural and ponds/tanks, puddles, oxbow lakestraditional customs. It is also known as and irrigation canals. The ultimatea land of myths and enigma. Indian inning in the Mugger’s act for survivalculture and mythology reflect is its existence in urban sewerage andcoexistence of man and wild animals. drains. Though Muggers occur in manyConservation ethics and veneration for parts of the country, their morebiological diversity are deeply rooted notable populations are recorded inin the psyche of most Indians. In fact, Indian states Tamil Nadu, Kerala,many animals have been personified Maharashtra, Goa, Uttar Pradesh,and are worshiped as the sacred Hindu Orissa, Karnataka, Rajasthan and, ofGods or their allies. Mugger crocodile course, Gujarat.(Crocodylus palustris) is one of them.It is also known as the Marsh Crocodile. Mugger population in Gujarat is safe and notable. The State’s Mugger The etymology for the English population is estimated at 2,000-2,500word 'Mugger', derived from 'Magara' in individuals in the recent time-frameHindi, traces its roots back to 'Makara'; including juveniles, sub-adults anda Sanskrit term for 'sea dragon' or adult individuals. The species is'water monster'. There are references recorded from over 20 out of 32relating it to someone who attacks districts of the State. Notable muggerothers too. This name comes from the populations were recorded in Kachchh,aggressive feeding behaviour, Junagadh, Porbandar, Kheda, Anand,frequently seen in crocodiles across Bharuch, Narmada, Panchmahal,the country. Jamnagar, Gir Somnath and Vadodara districts. Mugger crocodile, owing to itshigh adaptability, is one of the widely Mugger is a Schedule-1 species underdistributed crocodilian species in the Wildlife(Protection) Act,1972 ofIndia. It occurs in all kinds of rivers and India. It is also included in Appendix- I of CITES. 7

Jalaplavit(ISSN 2321-1881), Vol.8, No.1 (WWD 2018 Special) Vadodara city, the third largest breeding of females in the lessercity in Gujarat State is well known for disturbed areas of the river bank. Aits cultural heritage and edification, recent study indicated the muggerand is therefore nationally known as an population density to be about 9.0education hub. Vadodara is also known crocs /km within the urban stretch ofas Sayaji Nagari (named after the the river. With these large reptiles,famous Maratha ruler, Maharaja crawling through the heart of the city,Sayajirao Gaekwad III) or Sanskari the city's identity has changed fromNagari ('City of Culture', a reference to 'banyan city' to 'the city of muggers';its status as the cultural capital of locally known as 'Mugger nu Mosaal' orGujarat). Vadodara or Baroda, 'Mugger nu Piyar - Vadodara'. Everyformerly the capital city of the year, many muggers are rescued fromGaekwad State, is situated on the different parts of the city, due to theirbanks of the Vishwamitri, a river migratory behavior. They're caughtwhose name is derived from the great midway, in the most congested urbansaint Vishwamitra and the River that is areas while they're moving from oneconsidered to be the lifeline of water body to the other. These are theVadodara city. This river has witnessed crocodiles who're migrating due to thethe waxing and waning of Vadodara's shortage of food in their originalcultural nuances. habitats or either due to the saturated capacity of the water body. In such Vishwamitri river is an abode of instances, the thin line between themany wildlife species, including mugger's habitat and man's realm ismuggers. A safe haven for mugger crossed. Each year, unfortunately,crocodiles, flourishing with high over half a dozen muggers are founddensity. A recent croc count (Year dead on the roads and railway tracks.2015) emphasized the presence of overthree hundred muggers, of various God forbid, but In case of a Muggersizes and ages, inhabiting the river attack on you, try to hit or poke itsstretch within city limits itself. As eyes with whatever you have handy: anobserved, the mugger population is oar,a stick or a knife. Even your handsgrowing well and steadily, with can be effect weapons! Its ears orperiodic new recruitments added to nostrils can also be attacked. Thesethe population; due to the healthy strategies should be used if no alternatives are left for the self- defence. 8

Jalaplavit(ISSN 2321-1881), Vol.8, No.1 (WWD 2018 Special) Raju VyasA Mugger crocodile in the river Vishwamitri flowing across Vadodaracity, Gujarat, India. 9

Jalaplavit(ISSN 2321-1881), Vol.8, No.1 (WWD 2018 Special) The man-mugger relationship in efforts aim to engage maximumVadodara is changing with the rising participation for the mission ofnumbers of mugger attacks within the conservation. Such large carnivorousriver valley. Regardless of what causes reptiles surviving within our own citythese attacks and aggravates the are not only a matter of pride but alsoentire scenario, it has dismally our responsibility. This convivialtranslated to an issue whereby the relation has to be maintained andlayman stays 'beware of muggers'. Also enriched by all of us, who callthere are people who dislike such large ourselves as the 'residents ofcarnivores inhabiting nearby sources of Vadodara.water. These people see muggers asinvaders and threats from Nature. The To avoid man-muggersame people express their opposition confrontation, any situation whereintowards crocodile conservation and humans can come in direct contactcontinue to pressurize the forest with a mugger should always beauthority to entirely eliminate the avoided. These encounters can be bestspecies from the city. On the contrary, avoided by not roaming unnecessarilygood numbers of muggers, whether around wetlands inhabited byhatchlings, juveniles or large adults; muggers, especially during theirare found within the urban landscape. mating and breeding seasons. DuringThis truly exemplifies the 'living with this season, muggers tend to be moremuggers' spirit of the locals of aggressive and defend their territoryVadodara. The State Forest vigorously.Department and few NGOs are workingcontinuously and dedicatedly towards Dr. Raju Vyas is asaving muggers. Whenever any conflictarises, where a mugger or some other herpetologist of reputeform of wildlife is the cause, these from Gujarat State, India.agencies promptly offer help. Manywildlife enthusiasts promote education He is a Regional Vice Chairand awareness programs at various of the IUCN/SSC Crocodilelevels; involving age groups from Specialist Group of Southschool kids to young adults. These Asia and Iran. He has been studying Mugger population in Vadodara and elsewhere in the State since last three decades. His research includes monitoring crocodiles, their habitats and man-mugger conflicts. Dr. Vyas had earned his Ph.D. on systematics of snakes in 1995. 10

Jalaplavit(ISSN 2321-1881), Vol.8, No.1 (WWD 2018 Special)The article given in this issue titled “Muggers of Vadodara” is developedby the author from his recently published book with the same title. Thebook is published with the support of Voluntary Nature Conservancy(VNC), Vallabh Vidyanagar, Anand, Gujarat, India. This informative bookis an aid to creating awareness on the subject pertaining to Muggers inVadodara. Its purpose is to impart a meaningful message of conservationto the people at large. It intends to spread the message of the need toconserve these crocodilians that share suitable habitats in the city ofVadodara. By publishing this book, the author is hopeful to createawareness among school and college students, wildlife enthusiasts andlaymen regarding the important aspects of crocodiles in Vishwamitri riverflowing across the city of Vadodara. 11

Jalaplavit (ISSN 2321-1881), Vol.8, No.1 (WWD 2018 Special) Wetlands & Sustainable Urban Spaces Ritesh Kumar [email protected] of urban lakes, tanks and ponds, and choking itsenvironments is a growing concern. largest flood sink, Pallikarnai marsh byIncreasing urban sprawls are fast over 90% since independence? In fact,crowding out their natural buffers - the Chennai floods were almost a repeat ofwetlands, thereby enhancing September 2014 Kashmir deluge. As overvulnerability of urban populations. three times the monthly rains poured inA quick-scan of published a single day in Kashmir Valley, Riverliterature reaffirms the rapid rate of Jhelum engulfed the low lying areas.wetland loss in urban areas. For Why? A closer look to urbanizationexample, wetland area in Bangalore pattern in Valley indicates rapiddeclined by 73% during 1973-2007). destruction and degradation of itsIn the December 2015 floods in extensive network of wetlands. The CityChennai City, nearly three hundred lives of Srinagar, which evolved on thewere lost and thousands were rendered floodplains of River Jhelum, hashomeless. Might it not because Chennai engulfed large chunks of its wetlands.has expanded albeit by building on the Land and water are state subjects.natural drainage, filling up its numerous One of the unique features of Dholavira (a buried town of Indus Valley Civilization in Great Rann ofA Glimpse of Water Harvesting Structure, Kachchh, Gujarat) is the sophisticated waterDholavira Burried & Excavated Town of Indus conservation system of channels and reservoirs, theValley Civilisation in Great Rann, Gujarat. earliest found anywhere in the world and completely built out of stone, of which three are Avichal Tatu exposed. Dholavira had massive reservoirs. They were used for storing the freshwater brought by rains or to store the water diverted from two nearby rivulets.- [Source: “Sanitation and wastewater technologies in Harappa/lndus valley civilization (ca. 2600-1900 BC)” by Saifullah Khan in “Evolution of Sanitation and Wastewater Technologies through the Centuries” Edited by A. N. Angelakis and J. B. Rose] 12

Jalaplavit (ISSN 2321-1881), Vol.8, No.1 (WWD 2018 Special)But, most of the states do not the solutions need to take into accountrecognize wetlands as a distinct land the interrelationship urban spacesuse category, and club these within have with wider landscapes. Wetlands‘wastelands’ meant to be used for upstream and downstream of urbanalternate developmental purposes. areas can be managed to provide floodWetland management plans are protection and water security. Withinseldom based on comprehensive urban spaces, well managed wetlandslandscape scale assessment of role of can provide multiple functions as beingthese ecosystems, and are largely recreational amenities, groundwaterprescriptive by nature. Post project recharge sources, and buffer forsustainability strategies are also not extreme rainfall conditions. Urbanworked out. Very few states have plans would need to be embedded intoincluded allocation for wetlands within the river basin and coastal zone scaletheir budgets, however, wherever management planning, which secureincluded is mostly for establishment wetland functioning in the first place.expenses and not for supporting The National Environment Policy of 2006 identifies wetlands as importantrestoration. The union government has component of ‘freshwater resources’. The policy recommends integration of wetlandsembarked upon the ‘Smart Cities within development planning and management of these ecosystems throughMission’ as pathway for sustainable prudent use strategies. Integration of wetlands in river basin management isurbanization. In the approach paper identified as a strategy for management of river systems. - Ritesh Kumar [in hisdrafted by the Ministry of Urban article “Wetlands for Disaster Risk Reduction” in Jalaplavit (ISSN 2321-Development, the mission’s aims at 1881), Vol.7, No.1.]promoting cities that provide coreinfrastructure and give decent qualityof life to its citizens, a clean and Dr. Ritesh Kumar is thesustainable environment and Conservation Programmeapplication of ‘smart’ solutions. It is Manager, Wetlands International(WI), Southapparent that the environmental Asia (New Delhi). He leads technical programme ofsustainability solutions need to be WI, South Asia.sought not only for securing better [Note: This article was first published in Vo.7, No.1 of Jalaplavit (ISSN 2321-1881).]water and waste management. Rather, 13

Jalaplavit(ISSN 2321-1881), Vol.8, No.1 (WWD 2018 Special) Understanding Urban Wetlands Richard Wolff [email protected] Richard WolffFig.1. Created urban wetlands designed for storm water management as well asarchitectural landscaping at West Virginia University. Wetlands elicit diverse feelings from their varied products and servicesand behaviours in humans. Historically, like food, fresh water, fiber, and fuelwestern civilization’s relationship with (Millennium Ecosystem Assessment,wetlands has fluctuated from frustration 2005). From an ecosystem servicesto contempt – induced often by fear and perspective, wetlands are increasinglymisunderstanding, leading to wetland recognized as one of the most importantabuse and destruction (Mitsch & ecosystems on our planet (Ghermandi etGosselink, 2015). By comparison, many al., 2008; Mitsch & Gosselink, 2015).early non-western civilizations Throughout the world, wetlandcoexisted with wetlands and benefited enthusiasts that include scientists, 14

Jalaplavit(ISSN 2321-1881), Vol.8, No.1 (WWD 2018 Special)engineers, practitioners, educators, countries use a range of criteria tostudents, and the public at large aremotivated to gain knowledge in this identify them, including population,field to understand, preserve, andrestore fragile wetland ecosystems population density, predominant land(Mitsch & Gosselink, 2015). This paperwill focus on urban wetlands to provide use and administrative status. Urbanan overview of the challenges andopportunities of protecting these areas may include cities, towns andvaluable resources.Definitions informal settlements. Peri-urban areas As Mitsch and Gosselink (2015) lie between the city and the countrysidehave stressed, it is difficult to obtain aprecise definition of a wetland. and combine urban and rural uses ofSimilarly, no formal definition for urbanwetlands was found after completing a land.”recent review of the literature.However, current urban wetland Dr. Rashid Aziz Faridi (2013), aconcepts align with the acceptedwetland definitions from both the U.S. specialist in sustainable urbanFish and Wildlife Services (Cowardin etal., 1979) and the Ramsar Convention settlement systems from the(Secretariat, 2013) combined with thedefinition for urban areas outlined in the Department of Geography at Aligarhfollowing paragraph. Muslim University in India, has In the Ramsar Scientific andTechnical Briefing Note (No. 6) entitled articulated a succinct and functionalToward the Wise Use of Urban and Peri-urban Wetlands, McInnes (2013:2) definition for urban wetlands that alignsstated: “There is no widely shareddefinition of urban areas; different with the definitions listed above: “Urban wetlands are places within city limits where water and soils mingle. They range from remnants of water bodies that once existed on sites where buildings now stand, to drainage ditches resulting from inadequate development.” In this model, urban wetlands can be either naturally occurring, or human-constructed (Fig. 1) designed for one or more of the following functions: (a) architectural landscaping; (b) storm water mitigation; or (c) water treatment facilities 15

Jalaplavit(ISSN 2321-1881), Vol.8, No.1 (WWD 2018 Special)(Pennsylvania Department of coverage in the United States (Dahl, 2011). India’s total wetland area isEnvironmental Protection, 2005). estimated to be 15.3 Mha that includes 555,557 ha of wetlands less than 2.3 haInventory and Scope categorized as neither inland nor coastal wetlands (National Wetland Atlas,Specific area coverage 2011). Approximately 10.6 Mha are inland wetlands. Further analysis ofinformation directly related to urban India’s National Wetland Atlas indicates an estimated 1.3 Mha of human-madewetlands in the United States and India tank or pond wetlands exist in India. Quantifying India’s urban wetlands isis not readily available. difficult. Though India has a high distribution of inland, freshwater tankNotwithstanding, information exists or pond wetlands (12% of the total freshwater wetlands), it remainsregarding total wetland area, as well as unclear what percentage of these are considered urban wetlands.the area of freshwater ponds, urban Ecosystem Services and Valueponds, and human-made tanks or ponds Wetlands offer high value ecosystem services (Ghermandi et al.,in these respective countries. 2008; Mitsch & Gosselink, 2015). Monikers such as kidneys of theConsequently, by reviewing this existing landscape and nature’s supermarkets aptly depict wetlands’ key functions likeinformation, appreciation for the United water filtration, food provisioning, and habitat production.States’ and India’s total wetland area, The Ramsar Conventionand the potential scale of their (Secretariat, 2013) places the benefits of wetlands into two categories:respective urban wetlands, can beacquired.In the early 1600s, whenEuropeans were settling in the area thateventually became the United States,89.4 million ha of wetlands existed (Dahl& Allord, 1996). As of 2009, anestimated 44.6 Mha remained – a netloss of 50.2%. Approximately 42 Mha ofthose are freshwater inland wetlands.Of the estimated 2.7 Mha of freshwaterponds (representing 6% of the UnitedStates’ inland wetlands), urban pondsrepresent approximately 389,712 ha or0.9% of the total freshwater wetland 16

Jalaplavit(ISSN 2321-1881), Vol.8, No.1 (WWD 2018 Special)(1) Economic-based values (e.g., (4) Supporting ecosystem services (e.g., support the provisioning,water supply, fisheries, regulating, and cultural ecosystem services through soilagriculture, timber, building formation, nutrient cycling, and biodiversity enhancement).materials, energy resources, These Ecosystems services (i.e., thewildlife resources, transport, functions, values, and attributes) are more likely to be maintained when themedicines, recreation, and ecological processes of wetlands are allowed to continue (Secretariat, 2013).tourism opportunities); and In 2008, a meta-analysis was(2) Cultural-based values (e.g., conducted to determine wetland ecosystem service values based on 385spiritual values, aesthetics, independent observations from 180 wetland sites worldwide derived fromarchaeological history, wildlife 167 studies. The analysis was unique because it included, for the first time,sanctuaries, and socio-cultural man-made wetlands. The following findings from this analysis providetraditions). insight into assessing the value of man- made and urban wetlands (GhermandiThe Millennium Ecosystem et al., 2008): (a) man-made wetlands yielded high benefits related to floodAssessment (2005) defines the benefits control through storm water storage, and water quality (regulating ecosystemof wetlands as ecosystem services that services), as well as enhanced biodiversity (supporting ecosysteminclude the following four categories: service); (b) man-made wetlands yielded low benefits in harvesting(1) Provisioning ecosystem services natural materials (provisioning(e.g., products like food, water,fiber, fuel, medicines, andgenetic material);(2) Regulating ecosystem services(e.g. climate, air quality, carbonsequestration, temperature,hydrologic flow, pollination,erosion control, and wastetreatment);(3) Cultural ecosystem services (e.g.,spiritual beliefs, recreationalactivities, aesthetic values,educational opportunities, andcultural heritage); and 17

Jalaplavit(ISSN 2321-1881), Vol.8, No.1 (WWD 2018 Special)ecosystem services), as well as sanctuaries providing humans withrecreation (fishing), amenities, and opportunities to connect with nature inaesthetics (cultural ecosystem otherwise concrete backdrops.services); and (c) the overall value of Nassauer (2004) asserts people developurban wetlands exceeded that of rural a heightened appreciation for wetlandwetlands – due to the potential for stewardship when they are exposed togreater accessibility for larger numbers restored wetlands that emulate nativeof people. ecosystems to maximize natural habitat (Fig. 2), as well as incorporate cultural Positive human interactions with cues to familiar landscape aestheticswetlands, such as those derived from (e.g., viewing structures, interpretivecultural ecosystem services, may foster signage, bold planting patterns andhigher levels of wetland awareness. mixes) (Fig. 3).Ehrenfeld (2000) specifies urbanwetlands can serve as wildlife Richard WolffFig. 2. Created urban wetland (Palustrine Emergent Persistent) provides natural habitat. 18

Jalaplavit(ISSN 2321-1881), Vol.8, No.1 (WWD 2018 Special) Richard WolffFig. 3. Rock outcrop overlooking created urban wetland (Palustrine UnconsolidatedBottom) offers vantage point for wildlife observation.Challenges wetlands requires sound policy Wetlands are recognized for their development and decision making based on comprehensive information about theimportant ecosystem services, yet values attributed to all four ecosystemquantifying the value of these services, services categories, along with theas well as articulating their value to implications of losing these ecosystempolicy makers and citizens, can be services, while taking into considerationdifficult. Research related to wetlands the human dimensions of naturalvaluations shows the preservation of resource management (Boyer & Polasky,urban wetlands can be at risk despite 2004).their high value yields from ecosystem Opportunitiesservices because the land urbanwetlands occupy is often expensive, “a Ramsar’s Resolution XI.11 onscarce and valuable commodity” from Principles for the planning andthe standpoint of potential developers management of urban and peri-urban(Boyer & Polasky, 2004:745).Ultimately, wetlands (created in 2012 at COP11) issupport for the protection of urban an example of a multi-faceted approach 19

Jalaplavit(ISSN 2321-1881), Vol.8, No.1 (WWD 2018 Special)to policy making to enable development a. Optimize the sustainabilitythat jointly addresses urban planning of wetland ecosystemand the wise use of wetlands services to reduce urbanmanagement. Ramsar defines the ‘wise poverty.use’ of wetlands as the “maintenance of b. Consider trade-offstheir ecological character, achieved regarding livelihoodthrough the implementation of options and economicecosystem approaches, within the benefit-sharing.context of sustainable development” c. Incentivize systems such as(Secretariat, 2013:46). payment forIn addition, the Resolution environmental servicesrecommends the following five practical beyond urban wetlands.principles to define best practices for d. Clearly articulate thesustainable urban development and the value of wetlands, and thewise use of wetlands, with key points costs of wetland loss andlisted below (Secretariat, 2012): degradation, for urban(1) Wetland conservation; planners to inform theira. Urban development should decision making.avoid destroying wetlands (4) Stakeholder engagement;whenever possible. a. Adopt the principles of(2) Wetland restoration and inclusivity, empowerment,creation; and participation ofa. Restore wetlands as indigenous and localelements of urban and communities.water management b. Govern urbaninfrastructure. development and wetlandb. Prioritize wetland management in arestoration ahead of participatory, relevant,creation. and decentralized manner.(3) Understanding of the value of (5) Integrated planning;wetlands; 20

Jalaplavit(ISSN 2321-1881), Vol.8, No.1 (WWD 2018 Special) a. Use thematic planning as Conclusion an essential tool to protect In both the United States and wetlands and their India wetland losses have surpassed ecosystem services both wetland gains (Dahl, 2011; National within and beyond urban Wetland Atlas, 2011). Urban wetlands settlements. represent a small segment of the total b. Fully integrate urban wetland area in the United States (<1%) wetland planning with and in India (<9%) (Dahl, 2011; National wider elements of spatial Wetland Atlas, 2011). Urban wetlands planning (e.g., water offer high value benefits (based on resource management, ecosystem services) that sustain and transport infrastructure, enrich human lives (Millennium agriculture production, Ecosystem Assessment, 2005; fuel supply). Secretariat, 2013). Even though urban c. Identify alternative wetlands yield high value benefits, they locations for planned are at risk of being degraded or urban developments to eradicated due to the high value of the prevent wetland (and land on which they exist – in the context other natural ecosystems) of potential urban development (Boyer degradation. & Polasky, 2004). Principles thatThese principles, adopted in Resolution support sustainable development andXI.11, offer a framework to encourage collaborative decision makingeffective decision making that supports (developed by the Ramsar Conventionthe wise use of wetlands in urban and on Wetlands) promote the wise use ofperi-urban environments. If these wetlands (Secretariat, 2012). Theseprinciples could be implemented principles, if used collectively amongworldwide, the threat of urban wetland wetland practitioners and urbandegradation would decrease (McInnes, developers, could reverse the2013). degradation and loss of urban wetlands worldwide (McInnes, 2013). 21

Jalaplavit(ISSN 2321-1881), Vol.8, No.1 (WWD 2018 Special)References Williams, and P.J. Redman (eds.),Boyer, T. and S. Polasky. (2004). Valuing National Water Summary onurban wetlands: A review of non- Wetland Resources, USGS Water-market valuation studies. Supply Paper, 2425:19-26.Wetlands, 24: 744-755. <https://www.fws.gov/wetlands/Cowardin, L.M., V. Carter, F.C. Golet, and documents/History-of-Wetlands-E.T. LaRoe. (1979). Classification in-the-Conterminous-United-of wetlands and deepwater States.pdf>. Accessed 21 Marchhabitats of the United States. US 2018.Department of the Interior, US Fish Ehrenfeld, J.G. (2000). Evaluatingand Wildlife Service, Washington, wetlands within an urban context.D.C. Jamestown, ND: Northern Ecological Engineering, 15: 253-Prairie Wildlife Research Center 265.Home Page. (Version 04DEC98). Faridi, R.A. (2013). Urban wetlands;<http://www.npwrc.usgs.gov/res impact and overview. In Rashid’source/1998/classwet/classwet.ht Blog. Department of Geography.m>. Accessed 21 March 2018. Aligarh Muslim University. Aligarh,Dahl, T.E. (2011). Status and trends of Uttar Pradesh, India.wetlands in the conterminous <https://rashidfaridi.com/2013/1United States 2004 to 2009. US 2/28/urban-wetlands-impact-and-Department of the Interior, US Fish overview/>. Accessed 21 Marchand Wildlife Service. Fish and 2018.Wildlife Service, Washington, D.C. Ghermandi, A., J.C.J.M. van den Bergh,September 2011. L.M. Brander, H.L.F. de Groot, and<https://www.fws.gov/wetlands/ P.A.L.D. Nunes. (2008). Thedocuments/Status-and-Trends-of- economic value of wetlandWetlands-in-the-Conterminous- conservation and creation: A meta-United-States-2004-to-2009.pdf >. analysis. Fondazione Eni EnricoAccessed 21 March 2018. Mattei.Dahl, T.E. and G.J. Allord. (1996). History <https://ageconsearch.umn.edu/of wetlands in the conterminous bitstream/44229/2/79-08.pdf>.United States. Fretwell, J.D., J.S. Accessed 21 March 2018. 22

Jalaplavit(ISSN 2321-1881), Vol.8, No.1 (WWD 2018 Special)McInnes, R. J. (2013). Towards the wise Accessed 21 March 2018. use of urban and peri-urban wetlands. In Ramsar Convention Nassauer, J.I. (2004). Monitoring the Secretariat, Ramsar Scientific and Technical Briefing Note (No. 6). success of metropolitan wetland <https://www.ramsar.org/sites/d efault/files/bn6.pdf>. Accessed restorations: Cultural 21 March 2018. sustainability and ecologicalMillennium Ecosystem Assessment. (2005). Ecosystems and human function. Wetlands 24: 756-765. well-being: Wetlands and water synthesis. World Resources Pennsylvania Department of Institute, Washington, DC. <http://wedocs.unep.org/handle/ Environmental Protection. (2005). 20.500.11822/8735>. Accessed 21 March 2018. Urban wetlands: Generously giftingMitsch, W.J., and J.G. Gosselink. (2015). our cities. Wetlands, 5th ed. John Wiley & Sons, Inc., Hoboken, New Jersey. <http://www.co.berks.pa.us/MunMitsch, W.J., B. Bernal, and M.E. i/Douglass/Documents/urban_wet Hernandez. (2015). Ecosystem services of wetlands. International lands.pdf>. Accessed 21 March Journal of Biodiversity Science, Ecosystem Services & Management 2018. 11: 1-4. Secretariat, R. C. (2012). ResolutionNational Wetland Atlas. (2011). SAC/EPSA/ABHG/NWIA/ATLAS/34/ XI.11: Principles for the planning 2011. Ahmedabad, India. Space Applications Centre (ISRO). and management of urban and <http://www.indiawaterportal.or g/sites/indiawaterportal.org/files peri-urban wetlands. In 11th /NWIA_National_atlas.pdf>. Meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Wetlands (Ramsar, Iran, 1971). Bucharest 2012. <https://www.ramsar.org/docum ent/resolution-xi11-principles- for-the-planning-and- management-of-urban-and-peri- urban-wetlands>. Accessed 21 March 2018. Secretariat, R. C. (2013). The Ramsar convention manual: A guide to the convention on wetlands, (Ramsar, Iran, 1971), 6th ed. In Ramsar 23

Jalaplavit(ISSN 2321-1881), Vol.8, No.1 (WWD 2018 Special)Convention Secretariat, Gland, ent/the-ramsar-convention-Switzerland. manual-6th-edition>. Accessed 21<https://www.ramsar.org/docum March 2018.About the Author Richard Wolff – a wetland enthusiast and Master’s student at West Virginia University(WVU), USA Richard’s life-long appreciation for wetlands can be traced back to whenhe was a kid in Canada discovering frogs, crayfish, and salamanders at summercamp. Forty years later, he has put his project management career on hold topursue a Master’s degree in Agriculture, Natural Resources, and Design at WestVirginia University. Currently, he is developing a feasibility proposal forremediating three small wetlands located on the campus of WVU as part of abroader greenspace naturalization initiative. Richard believes urban wetlandscan inspire people of all ages to reconnect with nature through hands-on habitatrestoration and stewardship projects. 24

Jalaplavit (ISSN 2321-1881), Vol.8, No.1 (WWD 2018 Special)Urban and Suburban Wetlands-Wildlife Oases Ketan Tatu & Avichal Tatu [email protected] The Times of India (Ahmedabad, Aniruddh DabhiGujarat edition) of 19-2-2018published the news− “Rare Baikal Teal Baikal Teal (Sibirionettaphotographed at Krushnakunj” formosa) is indeed a vagrant waterfowl(Bhavnagar city, Gujarat state, India). to India (South Asia). The Father ofThe report said “A rare bird species, Indian Ornithology Dr. Salim Ali andBaikal teal(male), was spotted in the S.D. Ripley have mentioned in theKrishnakunj lake at Victoria Park in “Handbook of the Birds of India andBhavnagar city (21° 46' 28.02\" N Pakistan” that Baikal Teal is very rarelatitudes, 72° 09' 9.00\" E longitudes) of and sporadic winter visitor (to theGujarat State (first spotted by Veer Indian Subcontinent). Has beenVaibhav Mishra, naturalist at Centre recorded at long intervals about afor Desert and Ocean, Kutch). There score of times in the last 70 years orhas been no official photographic so, in Sind, Punjab, Rajasthan,record of a sighting of this bird since Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Bengal,1947.” Assam, Manipur; the most recent being a sight record on the Jumna near Delhi, 12 May [sic] 1947 (R. S. Symons).” The 25

Jalaplavit (ISSN 2321-1881), Vol.8, No.1 (WWD 2018 Special)sighting of Baikal Teal in February 2018 known to be inhabited by a goodin Gujarat state of India is not only number of migratory waterbirds duringsignificant from the view-point of their wintering season.occurrence of very rare species inGujarat, but also its occurrence in a Baikal Teal that wintered for aman-made wetland within an urban short time-span at Bhavnagar’snature park called Victoria Park. Here, Victoria Park pond had indicated theit was seen last on around 8th March significance of urban/suburban2018 (Pers. Comm. Irshad Theba). wetlands as valuable habitat forWhat attracted this rare and vagrant vagrant waterbirds.duck to spend about a month in anurban wetland whose majority of Similar example was providedportion was dried and thus devoid ofwater? The individual had been found during February-March 2018 by Tholusing a shallow largish puddle-likeportion of the Krushnakunj reservoir lake, which is hardly 25 km away fromfor foraging. It was also seen sharingwatery area of the reservoir with the buzzing mega-city Ahmedabad.Common Teals (Anas crecca). Duringall those days when the Baikal Teal had From mid-February to the end of thebeen using this park-based reservoir,the periphery of the reservoir was in third week of February three Lesseruse heavily by morning joggers andothers who visited the park. Thus, the White-fronted Geese (Anserteal was adapted to the routine humanpresence at close quarters. There is erythropus) were photographed byalso a city–based large reservoir called“Bor talaav” (or “Gaurishankar many birders of Ahmedabad,talaav”) in Bhavnagar which is locatedjust adjacent to the Victoria Park, Gandhinagar and other parts of theThus, it is likely that the teal might beusing Bor talaav too. Bor talaav is State. Lesser White-fronted Goose is a globally “Vulnerable” (VU) species and unlike other two species, viz. Greylag Goose and Bar-headed Goose (that are winter migrants to Thol every year), it is a vagrant species. Interestingly, a Greater White-fronted Goose (Anser albifrons) was also photographed at Thol wetland by a bird enthusiast on 18th February 2018. This is also a vagrant species for Gujarat State. 26

Jalaplavit (ISSN 2321-1881), Vol.8, No.1 (WWD 2018 Special) Irshad ThebaVagrant Lesser White-fronted Geese (Anser erythropus) at Thol wetland (in February 2018)located at a distance of only 25 km from a mega-city Ahmedabad. This is a Vulnerable(VU) speciesas per IUCN Red List of Threatened Species like a Woolly-necked Stork standing behind them. Chinmay AgnihotriVagrant Greater White-fronted Goose (Anser albifrons) at Thol wetland (in February 2018). 27

Jalaplavit (ISSN 2321-1881), Vol.8, No.1 (WWD 2018 Special)Till now, we had seen only those wetlands in suburbs of Vadodara, Tenaexamples of urban wetlands or and Gavier wetlands in suburbs ofwetlands near large urban centers that Surat city etc. Apart from Gujarat,had very recently supported some there several wetlands in or nearvagrant migratory waterbirds. urban/suburban areas of the countryHowever, how one can forget that that are well-known as good habitatsthere are numerous urban or suburban of waterbirds. Some examples include-wetlands or wetlands nearby large Sewri mudflats and Thane creekcities/towns that provide wintering or in/near Mumbai, Okhla and Surjanpurrefuelling ground to a large number of Bird Sanctuaries, New Delhi,migratory waterbirds every wintering Pallikaranai marsh, Siruthavur andseason! And besides migratory Chembarambakkam lakes andwaterbirds, they are also inhabited by Mudaliarkuppam backwaters in/nearresident species for fulfilling their Chennai, Kadamakudy and Kalatharaforaging, resting, roosting and nesting wetlands of Kochi and East Kolkatalife requisites. In Gujarat State, there wetlands of Kolkata.are several urban or suburbanwetlands or the wetlands near large The urban and suburbancities that are known as good abodes wetlands and some wetlands nearof wild waterbirds. Some examples large urban centers face varyinginclude Lakhota ‘lake’(also called degree of “development” pressure.Ranmal ‘lake’ in Jamnagar city, Aji-1 Some wetlands are filled consideringdam, Ishwariya, Lalpari and Randarda them as wastelands in the process ofwetlands in Rajkot city, Veri dam near urban development. Shores of someGondal, Hamirsar ‘lake’ in Bhuj city, wetlands are encroached upon byTopansar ‘lake’ in Mandvi (Kachchh), construction works on one hand andPorbandar Bird Sanctuary, Chhaya slums on the other. A large number ofwetland, Subhashnagar wetland and urban/suburban wetlands are used asKarli wetland in Porbandar city, Gosa solid waste dumping areas. ManyBara-Mokarsagar, Medha creek, others are used to release untreatedAmipur dam, Bardasagar dam, sewage or effluents from industrialKuchhadi and Zavar wetlands near units. There is also a trend ofPorbandar city, Timbi and Harni “beautifying” urban wetlands by means of modern engineering and 28

Jalaplavit (ISSN 2321-1881), Vol.8, No.1 (WWD 2018 Special)architectural strategies converting “beautified” by taking stringentthem into “beautified” artificial measures against any encroachment orwaterbodies. No one seems to bother solid waste dumping or sewageto think following questions before /effluent releasing activities. It can beartificially beautifying a wetland: Does beautified by establishing a watch-“beautification” always mean having tower or two, which can belot of paved area around a wetland? aesthetically pleasing and can beDoes “beautification” always mean equipped with spotting scopes. It canhaving fountains, boats, LED lights, be beautified by constructing alaser shows, amusement parks, giant boardwalk across it on which nature-wheels, adventure activities and lots lovers can walk and enjoy birds. Suchof food outlets around the wetland? an urban wetland can be beautified byThough such things are becoming erecting visually pleasing displayroutine in the modern boards regarding waterbirds found in“developmental” process, ideally it. Such a wetland can be beautified bywhether or not to go for such encouraging and regulating growth ofbeautification should be decided on visually pleasing aquatic plants likecase-by-case basis. Undoubtedly, this lotus and waterlilies. There can also bekind of engineering-architectural a nature interpretation center on itsintensive “lake beautification” is not shore that would sensitize thedesirable if a wetland to be developed urbanites about the importance ofhas a history of being a good waterbird wetlands and their biodiversity. Suchabode. In other words, if an urban or wetlands will provide a relaxation spotsuburban wetland has earned a long for senior citizens and other sectionsreputation of being a of the urban society. They can also bebird/biodiversity-rich area, there can utilized by city-based NGOs for theirbe “ecological ways” of developing it nature education activities. They canleading to its conservation instead of also be used by school/college/converting it into heavily artificial university students for their small“beautiful tanks” through lot of academic research/studies.engineering, architectural andelectronic means. A bird/biodiversity Urban wetlands are biodiversityrich urban wetland can be oases amidst our concrete jungles and they should be conserved. 29

Jalaplavit(ISSN 2321-1881), Vol.8, No.1 (WWD 2018 Special)Death of Wetlands in Vadodara City Deepa Gavali [email protected] Vadodara city! Its name is in daily human-life slowly diminished.related with ‘Vad’, i.e. Banyan tree As the city expanded, these wetlandsand was rightly called as the city of slowly became target of solid wasteBanyan trees. Currently, it is the third- dumping and first stage of reclamationlargest city of Gujarat after was initiated. Slums came up on itsAhmedabad and Surat. banks disposing household waste directly into the wetland, causing the The city was designed in a eutrophic conditions in the wetlands.manner by the great visionary Sir Then the city engineers took steps ofSayajirao Gaekwad III, erstwhile ruler closure of these wetlands on theof Vadodara State giving priority to pretext of reducing health risk to thewater and green cover. The city during locals. In the process, Vadodara cityearly 1990s was restricted to the four lost about 50% of the wetland areawalls of the old city, yet had a from 1995 to 2004. The importance ofbeautiful linking of wetlands and Kaans wetlands as flood controllers wasto fulfil the water requirements of the understood only after the city facedlocal populace. This system not only severe floods in 2005.recharged the ground water, but alsoprevented floods in the city. Thereafter, these wetlands of Vadodara existed as merely pieces of In the post-independence era, land, especially because their inletsthe developmental activities within were totally disturbed by the faultythe city led to negligence of wetlands. city planners. With declaration ofThe city development authorities Vadodara City as Smart City, there wasforgot the basic and critical role of need to beautify the city and oncewetlands and their relevance in the again the wetlands became the target.ground water recharge and as flood Beautification began with buildingcontrol. Water was now available to concrete structures around thethe city populace through pipelines wetlands, thereby choking theand the use and relevance of wetlands 30

Jalaplavit(ISSN 2321-1881), Vol.8, No.1 (WWD 2018 Special)wetlands into slow death. Five Biodiversity of Wetlands of Vadodara talukawetlands were considered in this studied by the Researchers of Gujaratprocess and the famous Harni lake, Ecological Society(GES), Vadodarathat was once inhabited by 180 birdspecies, now sees mainly human Vadodara taluka has 105 villages andpopulation. There is another threat of being in semi-arid conditions, has one pond inthe non-availability of potable drinking each village. In the past, these ponds werewater looming over urban population important source of drinking water, irrigationof Vadodara. This is because the and bioresources like lotus. These ponds alsoground water recharge system in the harness rich diversity in terms of flora andform of the wetlands has reduced and fauna, especially the migratory birds due to itsthe demand for ground water from the strategic position in Gujarat. Rapidhigh-rise buildings has been urbanization and industrialization in theincreasing. taluka has altered the land use of the area with tremendous pressure on the wetlands. There is urgent need to protect For example, Vadodara city itself had aroundand conserve the wetlands in the 60 ponds a century ago, but now only 30urban area of Vadodara city and the wetlands exist. A comprehensive paper onprimary function of the wetland should biodiversity of the wetlands of Vadodararemain safeguarded. There is need to taluka was published in Vol.7, no.3 ofeducate the urban development Jalaplavit (ISSN 2321-1881) authored by itsauthorities on the subject and wetland researchers Dr. Jagruti Rathod, Ms. Amitaecologists have to play an important Sankhwal, Ms. Shruti Shah and Dr. Deeparole for the same. Gavali. They had check-listed 265 species of aquatic flora and fauna in it. As per the Why all the wetland related checklist, there are at least 50 species ofdecisions need to be taken by wetland-dependent birds, 5 species ofengineers or bureaucrats? herpetofauna, 4 species of fish and several invertebrates that can occur at/in the wetlands of Vadodara taluka. The faunal checklist provided in Vol.7, No.3, though comprehensive, had some errors and therefore the checklist is reproduced here with corrections on page 32. Founding Editor 31

Jalaplavit(ISSN 2321-1881), Vol.8, No.1 (WWD 2018 Special) Check-list of Faunal Species of the Wetlands of Vadodara Taluka No. Faunal Species Scientific nameBirds Asian Openbill-Stork Anastomus oscitans 1 Asian Woollyneck Ciconia episcopus 2 Bank Myna Acridotheres ginginianus 3 Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica 4 Black-headed Ibis Threskiornis melanocephalus 5 Black-tailed Godwit Limosa limosa 6 Black-winged Stilt Himantopus himantopus 7 Bronze-winged Jacana Metopidius indicus 8 Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis 9 Common Coot Fulica atra 10 Common Kingfisher Alcedo atthis 11 Common Moorhen Gallinula chloropus 12 Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos 13 Cotton Pygmy Goose Nettapus coromandelianus 14 Eurasian Spoonbill Platalea leucorodia 15 Glossy Ibis Plegadis falcinellu 16 Great Egret Ardea alba 17 Grey Heron Ardea cinerea 18 Indian Pond-Heron Ardeola grayii 19 Indian Spot-billed Duck Anas poecilorhyncha 20 Indian Thick-knee Burhinus indicus 21 Intermediate Egret Ardea intermedia 22 Lesser Whistling Duck Dendrocygna javanica 23 Little Cormorant Phalacrocorax niger 24 Little Egret Egretta garzetta 25 Little Grebe Tachybaptus ruficollis 26 Little Ringed Plover Charadrius dubius 27 Knob-billed Duck Sarkidiornis melanotos 28 Northern Pintail Anas acuta 29 Oriental Darter Anhinga melanogaster 30 Painted Stork Mycteria leucocephala 31 Pheasant-tailed Jacana Hydrophasianus chirurgus 32 Pied Kingfisher Ceryle rudis 33 Purple Heron Ardea purpurea 34 Purple Moorhen Porphyrio prphyrio 35 Red-naped Ibis Pseudibis papillosa 36 Red-rumped Swallow Cecropis daurica 37 32

Jalaplavit(ISSN 2321-1881), Vol.8, No.1 (WWD 2018 Special) 38 Red-wattled Lapwing Vanellus indicus 39 River Tern Sterna aurantia 40 Sarus Crane Antigone Antigone 41 Watercock Gallicrex cinerea 42 Western Marsh Harrier Circus aeruginosus 43 Western Yellow Wagtail Motacilla flava 44 Whiskered Tern Chlidonias hybrida 45 White-breasted Kingfisher Halcyon smyrnensis 46 White-breasted Waterhen Amaurornis phoenicurus 47 White Wagtail Motacilla alba 48 Wire-tailed Swallow Hirundo smithii 49 Wood Sandpiper Tringa glareola 50 Yellow-wattled Lapwing Vanellus malabaricusReptiles 51 Checkered Keelback Xenochrophis piscator 52 Green Keelback Macropisthodon plumbicolor 53 Indian Flap-shelled Turtle Lissemys punctata 54 Mugger Crocodile Crocodylus palustrisAmphibians 55 Indian Bullfrog Hoplobatrachus tigerinusFish 56 “Catla” Catla catla 57 “Dok” Mystus sp. 58 “Mrigal” Cirrhinus mrigala 59 “Rohu” Labeo rohitaButterflies (as per Wynter Blyth) 60 Blue Pansy Junonia orithya 61 Chocolate Pansy Junonia iphita 62 Common Castor Ariadne merione 63 Common emigrant Catopsilia pomona 64 Common Grass Yellow Terias hecabe 65 Common Gull Cepora nerissa 66 Common Indian Crow Euploea core 67 Common Jay Graphium doson 68 Common Jezebel Delias eucharis 69 Common Mormon Papilio polytes 70 Danids Eggfly Hypolimnas misippus 71 Dark Grass Blue Zizeeria karsandra 72 Gram Blue Euchrysops cnejus 73 Grass Jewel Chilades trochylus 33

Jalaplavit(ISSN 2321-1881), Vol.8, No.1 (WWD 2018 Special)74 Great Eggfly Hypolimnas bolina75 Lemon Pansy Precis lemonias76 Lime Butterfly Papilio demoleus77 Peakock Pansy Junonia almana78 Plain Tiger Danaus chrysippus79 Small Grass Yellow Terias hecabe80 Striped Tiger Danaus genutia81 Tawny Coster Telchinia violae82 White Orange Tip Ixias marianne83 Yellow Pansy Junonia hierta84 Zebra Blue Leptotes pliniusInsects and other Arthropods85 Millipede species86 Water strider Gerris sp.87 Painted grasshopper Poekilocerus pictus88 Common blue damselfly Enallagma cyathigerum89 Common Scarlet-darter Crocothemis erythraea90 Black percher Diplacodes lefebvrii91 Common Picture Wing Rhyothemis variegata92 Dich Jewel Brachythemis contaminata93 Mosquito Culex sp.Molluscs94 Snail species Veronicellidae (superfamily)95 Slug species Veronicellidae (superfamily)96 Snail (with shell) Achatina sp.[Note: This check-list is primarily communicated to the Founding Editor by Dr. Jagruti Rathod, Associate Ecologist, GES,Vadodara. It supersedes the faunal list of Vadodara Taluka given in Vol.7, No.3 of Jalaplavit(ISSN 2321-1881) given in thearticle by Rathod et al. (2017). For any queries, she may be directly contacted at [email protected]. Editor will not beresponsible for any difference of opinion.] About the AuthorDr. Deepa J. Gavali , Director (Acting), Gujara Ecological Society (GES) has 21 years of experience inthe field of flora and faunal identification, Ecological studies, Wetlands ecology, Impact ofair pollution, Biodiversity conservation. Dr. Deepa is associated with GES since 1999. 34

Jalaplavit(ISSN 2321-1881), Vol.8, No.1 (WWD 2018 Special)Glimpses of Wetlands of Vadodara City, Gujarat Amita Tatu Sursagar ‘lake’-Algal bloom and debris near shore. Amita Tatu “Lake beautification” using heavy machinery-Sursagar ‘lake’. 35

Jalaplavit(ISSN 2321-1881), Vol.8, No.1 (WWD 2018 Special) Amita TatuVishwamitri River-Encroachment through construction. Amita TatuVishwamitri River- Solid waste dumping. 36

Jalaplavit(ISSN 2321-1881), Vol.8, No.1 (WWD 2018 Special) Amita Tatu A Mugger Crocodile in Vishwamitri River amidst Vadodara city. Amita TatuA Mugger Crocodile with egrets and Black-headed Ibis in Vishwamitri Riveramidst Vadodara city. 37

Jalaplavit(ISSN 2321-1881), Vol.8, No.1 (WWD 2018 Special) Amita TatuA sign-board indicating Shripor Timbi reservoir-a creation of Gaekwad Dynasty. Ketan TatuOpen Water area of Shripor Timbi wetland with suburban development forminga juxtaposition in the backdrop. 38

Jalaplavit(ISSN 2321-1881), Vol.8, No.1 (WWD 2018 Special) Ketan TatuHarni wetland of Vadodara sees more humans than birds in the modern times. Ketan TatuIt is heartening to see a nesting Purple Swamphen in Harni wetland despiteincreasing human pressure on this wetland. 39

Jalaplavit(ISSN 2321-1881), Vol.8, No.1 (WWD 2018 Special) Amita TatuBuilt environment of Gotri talaav, Vadodara city. Amita TatuThe National Flag of India near Sama talaav. Does it remind one of our FundamentalDuties as per the Article 51A of The Constitution of India? It reads- “It shall be theduty of every citizens of India to protect and improve the natural environmentincluding forests, lakes, rivers and wild life and to have compassion for living creatures. 40

Jalaplavit(ISSN 2321-1881), Vol.8, No.1 (WWD 2018 Special) Glimpses of Wetlands of Ahmedabad City and its Surroundings Ketan TatuChandola “lake” in south-eastern Ahmedabad: Its shore looks filthy due to solid wastedumping. Ketan TatuIf Kankaria ‘lake’ of Ahmedabad is “developed” and “beautified”, why the city’sother big reservoir-Chandola-is left with slums along its periphery! 41

Jalaplavit(ISSN 2321-1881), Vol.8, No.1 (WWD 2018 Special) Ketan TatuEncroachment on Chandola reservoir’s periphery through construction activities. Ketan TatuEncroachment on Vastrapur ’lake’ periphery through high-rise building constructions.The ‘lake’ was completely dried at the time of taking this picture(Feb.2018). 42

Jalaplavit(ISSN 2321-1881), Vol.8, No.1 (WWD 2018 Special) Ketan TatuVastrapur ‘lake’- an example of orthodox and unnatural way of beautifying an urbanwetland. Giant wheels and other entertainment structures on the periphery of an emptywaterbody. Ketan Tatu Vastrapur ‘lake’! But, where is water for considering it to be a ‘lake’? 43

Jalaplavit(ISSN 2321-1881), Vol.8, No.1 (WWD 2018 Special) Ketan TatuSome of the suburban wetlands in Ahmedabad are modestly developed and they do showsome “natural touch”. Malaav talaav in Jivraj Park suburb is one such wetland. Ketan Tatu Beautiful Nymphaea flowers in a suburban wetland-Malaav talaav, Ahmedabad. Ketan Tatu Red-naped Ibis in a modestly developed suburban pond-Malaav talaav, Ahmedabad. 44

Jalaplavit(ISSN 2321-1881), Vol.8, No.1 (WWD 2018 Special) How to Change Attitude of People Visiting Wetlands? Glimpses of Laymen Enjoying a Wetland in their Own Ways- Thol Wetland Near Ahmedabad, Gujarat Enjoying by dancing on a bollywood song and video-recording it!(Source:YouTube)Thol has become a popular pre-wedding photoshoot place for ‘Ahmedabadis’.(Source:YouTube)Picnicking at Thol. (Source:YouTube) 45

Jalaplavit(ISSN 2321-1881), Vol.8, No.1 (WWD 2018 Special)Glimpses of Wildlife of Tena Wetland Near Surat City Palak ThakorDucks in flight over Tena wetland Palak ThakorDucks in Tena wetlandSmooth Coated Otter Nilay Desai 46

Jalaplavit(ISSN 2321-1881), Vol.8, No.1 (WWD 2018 Special) Glimpses of Wetlands in Porbandar City Dhaval VargiyaLesser Flamingos near human habitation at Chhaya wetland Dhaval Vargiya Lesser Flamingos & Greater Flamingos, Chhaya wetland. 47

Jalaplavit(ISSN 2321-1881), Vol.8, No.1 (WWD 2018 Special) Dhaval VargiyaA view of Porbandar Bird Sanctuary amidst Porbandar city. Dhaval VargiyaCormorants at Porbandar Bird Sanctuary. 48

Jalaplavit(ISSN 2321-1881), Vol.8, No.1 (WWD 2018 Special) Glimpses of Lakhota ‘Lake’ in Jamnagar City, Gujarat Ashwin Trivedi. Ashwin TrivediDuring the times of Princely Rules, wetlands (like this Ranmal/Lakhota talaav inJamnagar, Gujarat) in several princely states were inseparable parts of urban landscapes.They served dual purpose of aesthetics and meeting man’s need of water and watermanagement. They also served as biodiversity-rich spots and recreation spots amidst theurban landscape. In modern times, they are under pressure, negligence & commercialism. 49

A wetland at Saputara Hill Station-a popular tourist point in Gujarat, India.Next Issue of Jalaplavit (ISSN 2321-1881) will be published inJuly 2018. All are invited to contribute articles, researchpapers, observation notes, pictures etc. on or before 10th June2018. From the next issue, “Jalaplavit” will be available to thereaders on payment of modest subscription.