Mollar Bheri- East Kolkata Wetlands

Mollar Bheri- East Kolkata Wetlands

Subject: Environment

Context: The cost of damage caused by garbage dumping and contamination of the 55-acre East Kolkata Wetlands, a Ramsar site, is Rs 1.46 crore, according to a joint report by state and central government agencies

Concept:

• The study was done by West Bengal Pollution Control Board, National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI) and Central Pollution Control Board.
• It is observed that attributes like TDS (total dissolved solid), alkalinity, hardness, magnesium and TC (total colliform) violates the acceptable limits.
• Volumes of lead, iron, manganese, cadmium, zinc and aluminium violate the acceptable limits for the pond water and that of aluminium, manganese, iron, cadmium violate the acceptable limits for the ground water.
• The metals mentioned are highly toxic and contaminates aquatic plants and animals, particularly fishes. The toxins pose health hazards to a sizable population of Calcutta and Bidhannagar.

Mollar Bheri site,

• Mollar Bheri is part of a unique ecosystem where 234 ponds are inter-connected consume these fishes
• It spreads in an area of 12,500 ha, and is designated as Ramsar site (https://optimizeias.com/ramsar-convention/) in 2002. It is isa part of east Calcutta wetland.
• It is highly vulnerable to the environmental impacts from solid waste dumping, poses a potential threat to the surrounding water bodies and also contaminate the ground water table.
• The area is a legacy waste dumpsite of concern, where unsegregated solid waste was accumulated.