East Kolkata Wetlands
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Overview
The East Kolkata Wetlands are a mix of natural and man-made wetlands east of Kolkata, and a Ramsar site.
It covers about 12,500 ha on the eastern edge of Kolkata.
The wetlands treat the city's sewage naturally, and the treated water feeds fish ponds (bheris) and vegetable farms.
It was designated a Ramsar site in 2002, and the ecologist Dhrubajyoti Ghosh documented its value.
The system has been used for over a century and supports thousands of fishers and farmers.
The city saves the cost of a large sewage treatment plant because of the wetlands.
Urban expansion and land filling threaten the area.
It is a classic example of 'wise use' of wetlands under the Ramsar Convention.
Geography and key facts
- West Bengal
- Ramsar site
- About 12,500 ha
- Natural sewage treatment
- Ramsar site 2002
Why it matters for UPSC
Asked on urban wetlands.
Note for UPSC
Ramsar site (wetland of international importance), West Bengal.
Ramsar sites come up as wetland–state pairs and in questions on conservation status.
Asked in PYQs
No question in our Prelims bank names East Kolkata Wetlands yet.
Key facts
- Type
- Ramsar site
- State / UT
- West Bengal
- Coordinates
- 22.555°N, 88.451°E
From the Map Explorer data; positions are for orientation.
In the lessons
- Forests, Wetlands, Mangroves and Coral Reefs (map lesson)