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STRATEGIES FOR THE PROTECTION OF CATCHMENTS/WATERSHED
AREAS AND WETLANDS IN TRIPURA
Wetlands are the link between the land
and the water. They are transition
zones where the flow of water, the cycling of nutrients, and the energy
of the sun meet to produce a unique ecosystem characterized by hydrology,
soils, and vegetation – making these areas very important features of a
watershed. Wetlands is the
collective term for marshes, swamps, bogs, ponds, lakes and similar
areas, which filter sediments and nutrients from surface water and
support all life forms through extensive food webs and biodiversity. They are fragile ecosystems that are
susceptible to changes even with little change to the composition of
their biotic and abiotic factors. Interfacing between land and water
systems, the wetlands are highly productive and biologically rich
ecosystems, and are also the most endangered.
By virtue of being blessed with
numerous rivers and streams, Tripura supports a
rich diversity of inland wetland habitats. According to the satellite data of
1992-93 there are 408 Wetlands in Tripura
covering an area of 98.58 ha. These wetlands vary in site from 2.5 ha. and above. All these wetlands falls in following
6(six) categories:
Distribution of various categories of inland wetlands
in Tripura
|
Type of Wetland
|
Area (Sq.Km.)
|
No of. wetlands
|
|
Lakes/ponds
|
25.04
|
74
|
|
Oxbow lakes
|
3.60
|
84
|
|
Waterlogged(seasonal)
|
15.43
|
222
|
|
Reservoirs
|
53.22
|
5
|
|
Tanks
|
1.36
|
19
|
|
Waterlogged
|
0.30
|
4
|
|
Total
|
98.95
|
408
|
Source: SAC(1998)
As recorded in the above table,
the State has got more waterlogged areas but the reservoirs cover larger
areas. Besides the above wetlands, there are large number
of water harvesting structures in different Forest
Divisions which also qualify as wetland areas. These wetlands also
support diverse birds and fish species. Of the total fish fauna of the
wetlands, 2 are ranked
as endangered and 12
as vulnerable species. Among the birds, one species is ranked as
threatened. These Wetlands also support different species of aquatic
vegetation
Of the total wetlands, following 7
Wetlands are important from the point of view of biodiversity
conservation and as centers of socio-economic values (through water
supply, fisheries, fuel wood, medicinal plants, livestock grazing,
agriculture, energy resource, wildlife resource, transport, recreation
and tourism, etc.) and potential sources for eco-tourism in the state.
Prioritized list of the main wetlands of Tripura
|
No.
|
Name of the wetland
|
Rank
|
use
|
|
1.
|
Gumati reservoir (Dumbur lake)
|
1
|
M
|
|
2.
|
Rudrasagar (Nirmahal)
|
1
|
M
|
|
3.
|
Sepahijala reservoir
|
2
|
M
|
|
4.
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Trishna wetlands
|
2
|
M
|
|
5.
|
Sttar Mia’s Haor
|
2
|
M
|
|
6.
|
Batapara lake(Agt)
|
3
|
M
|
|
7.
|
College Tilla
lake
|
3
|
M
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Considering the importance of
wetlands following strategies and action points are proposed in the
Perspective Plan.
To undertake a watershed-based
approach to wetland protection for providing protection to the whole
system, including land, air, and water resources.
To undertake detailed survey of
flora & fauna and other features of the Wetlands for the preparation
of the management Action Plan (MAP) for each important wetland
To protect the catchments of the
Wetlands by means of Afforestation, aided
natural re-generation etc., using suitable mix of tree species. The division-wise targets will be fixed
for treatment of catchments which will be integrated into the normal afforestation programmes
under given Annual Plan Operation for each division.
To undertake specific eco-tourism
based activities for Gumati, Rudrasagar, Sepahijala
and Trishna wetlands. The details of such activities have
been incorporated under the Head ‘Eco-tourism in Tripura’
in this Perspective Plan.
To promote livelihood /employment
generation options for the local communities through formation of JFMCs and Self Help Groups. These communities /
groups will undertake activities which will help them earn their
livelihoods besides imparting protection to the Wetlands.
To lay special emphasis on cane
plantations over an area of 700 ha. (100 ha. per year) covering wetland
areas in all the divisions/sanctuaries. The cane plantation will help in
protection of key wetland areas besides helping generation of income for
the local people.
To promote education and awareness
among the different stakeholders.
All the above strategies and
activities have been incorporated and integrated into the different Programmes of the Perspective Plan (I to IV). Both physical and financial targets
including the budgetary requirements for the said strategies/activities
have also accordingly been incorporated in the main Perspective Plan
under the appropriate Programmes.
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