West Bengal marshland protected

By Subir Bhaumik
BBC News, Calcutta

Wetlands are crucial for the city's eco-system, environmentalists say

India's West Bengal state has set up an authority to protect one of the world's biggest expanses of urban marshland.

The wetlands are located on the eastern fringes of the state capital, Calcutta.

Three years ago the 12,500-hectare marshes were declared a conservation site under the international Ramsar treaty on preserving wetlands.

The state's move comes after real estate companies were fined for trying to encroach on the wetlands by building two luxury apartment projects.

Recharging the city

Manab Mukherjee, the state's environmental minister, said offences under the new ordinance ranged from imprisonment for up to three years to fines starting from 100,000 rupees ($2,190).

"The East Calcutta Wetland Authority shall conserve the bio-diversity of this wetlands and prepare a detailed management plan for it," the minister said.

The government said the area would be demarcated and its unique properties clearly defined.

Mr Mukherjee said the preservation of wetlands was crucial for the city.

"It is the main source for recharging Calcutta's underground water reserves," he said.

Environmentalists say the wetlands are crucial to maintaining the balance of the city's eco-system.

They act as a natural water treatment facility for Calcutta's liquid waste and experts say it would take billions of rupees to create a man-made water treatment facility half as effective as this for such a big city.

In addition, the huge stretch of green land on the city's fringes attracts a large water bird population.

Mr Mukherjee said a nature and wetland interpretation centre to promote research and a bird sanctuary to promote eco-tourism would also be set up in the area.