1-Enhancing bio-significance of urban lakes

Abstract

Wetlands are important habitats for birds and other forms of wildlife. About 37.90% of bird species found in Rajasthan are either dependant on wetlands or opportunistically exploit wetlands. An area less than 1% geographical area of the State is available to this 38% of the State avifauna. The Urban lakes also support birds and other forms of wildlife as any other wetland. However, these wetlands are not managed as bird and animal habitats. This communication is based on a study of avifauna of Rajasthan State conducted during 1999 to 2005. The study area included several wetlands. Avian diversity of these wetlands varied from wetland to wetland. It was hypothesized that physical features, landscape and other structural features also serve as resource to birds apart from physico-chemical properties of water hence such features exploited, preferred or used by birds were carefully recorded. On the basis of these observations the study suggests and evaluates measures to enhance bio-significance of wetlands, including the urban lakes. These measures fall in four different categories-(i) Prohibitive; that suggest discontinuation of some practices (ii) Reductive; that suggest reduction of certain activities (iii) Cautionary; that caution regarding certain developmental activities such as development of walkways, roads, dykes, banks, boating, water sports etc. and (iv) real enhancement measures for developing nesting islands, perches, vantage points, watchtowers, etc. The recommendations are made with the following viewpoints - (i) nonconflicting approach or attempt to reach a balance between traditional use and conservation of habitat and resources (ii) rejuvenation of lakes is not merely bringing water to the lake but it is bringing 'life' to lakes.