Q. What are the environmental implications of the reclamation of the water bodies into urban land use? Explain with examples.
Question from UPSC Mains 2021 GS1 Paper
Model Answer:
Environmental Implications of Water Body Reclamation for Urban Land Use
The reclamation of water bodies for urban land use poses severe environmental challenges. These implications are wide-ranging and interconnected, often leading to cascading ecological effects:
• Loss of biodiversity:
– Reclamation destroys crucial aquatic and riparian habitats, displacing native species.
– Example: East Kolkata Wetlands’ degradation has led to significant decline in local flora and fauna diversity.
• Disruption of hydrological cycles:
– Alters natural water flow patterns, reduces groundwater recharge, and increases flood risks.
– Example: Mumbai’s Mithi River, heavily encroached upon, now experiences frequent and severe flooding during monsoons.
• Water quality degradation:
– Natural filtration processes are lost, leading to increased pollution and eutrophication.
– Example: Bengaluru’s lakes, victims of extensive encroachment, now frequently form toxic foam.
• Microclimate changes:
– Loss of water bodies intensifies the urban heat island effect, altering local temperature and humidity patterns.
– Example: Chennai has experienced rising urban temperatures partly due to shrinking water bodies.
• Loss of ecosystem services:
– Reduces water storage capacity and leads to decline in natural resources like fisheries and agricultural land.
– Affects livelihoods and cultural practices tied to these water bodies.
– Example: Shrinking of Lake Chilika has severely impacted local fishing communities.
• Increased vulnerability to natural disasters:
– Heightens susceptibility to storms and sea-level rise by removing natural buffer zones.
– Example: Mumbai’s reclaimed areas now face increased coastal erosion and flood risks during extreme weather events.
Conclusion: Sustainable urban planning must prioritize water body conservation to mitigate these severe environmental impacts and maintain ecological balance.
