Why Rudrasagar Lake of Tripura is Beneficial for the Natural Environment?

Ramsar sites are wetlands of international importance, designated under the Ramsar Convention. Wetlands have been identified as one of the key life support systems on this planet in concert with agricultural lands and forests. This has been a key theme in the evolving global support and political commitment for sustainable development and environmental conservation as articulated in the Ramsar Convention’s Strategic Plan 1997-2002, the World Conservation Strategy, Caring for the Earth, the report of the Brundtland Commission, and Agenda 21.

Rudrasagar Lake should be conserved for the following qualities and utilities which benefit the natural environment as well as the living entities existed therein.

The Wetland has the potentiality to Uphold Water Quality. It can transform pollutants coming along with surface runoff water from the peripheral areas through physical, chemical, and biological processes.

The wetland may remove between 70% and 90% of entering Nitrogen to the water body.

Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD) is a measure of the oxygen used by microorganisms for the decomposition of organic matter and oxidation of inorganics such as sulfide. Therefore, a low BOD is an indicator of good quality water, while a high BOD indicates polluted water which can lead to mortality of aquatic life. Rudrasagar Lake may remove BOD from surface water through decomposition of organic matter or oxidation of inorganics. BOD removal by wetlands may approach 100% (Hemond and Benoit 1988).

Sediment deposition found in Rudrasagar Lake may prevent a source of turbidity from entering downstream ecosystems. Other pollutants that impact water quality such as nutrients, organics, metals and radionuclides are often adsorbed onto suspended solids. Deposition of suspended solids, to which such substances are adsorbed, removes these pollutants from the water. Thus sediment deposition provides multiple benefits to downstream water quality (Johnston 1991; Hemond and Benoit 1988; Hupp et al. 1993; Puckett et al. 1993).

Wetlands have the potential to remove and store greenhouse gases from the Earth’s atmosphere. Scientists value the processes of wetlands individually, particularly the role of wetlands in the global cycles of carbon, nitrogen, and water. Many scientists consider the removal of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere into plant matter and its burial as peat (sequestration) the most valuable function of wetlands (OTA 1993). Carbon sequestration is thought to be an important process in reducing the greenhouse effect and the threat of global warming.

The lake can contribute for the Removal of Pathogens. Fecal coliform bacteria and protozoans, which are indicators of threats to human health, enter wetlands through domestic or municipal sewage, leaking septic tanks, and agricultural runoff. Bacteria attach to suspended solids that are then trapped by wetland vegetation (Hemond and Benoit 1988). These organisms die: after remaining outside their host organisms, through degradation by sunlight, from the low pH of wetlands, by protozoan consumption, and from toxins excreted from the roots of some wetland plants (Hemond and Benoit 1988; Kennish 1992). In this way wetlands have an important role in removing pathogens from surface water.

The Lake is the sole source as reservoirs for the watershed in the area. Wetlands release the water they retain (from precipitation, surface water, and ground water) into associated surface water and ground water. Ground water can be adversely affected by activities that alter wetland hydrology (Winter 1988). Drainage of wetlands lowers the water table and reduces the hydraulic head providing the force for ground water discharge (O'Brien 1988; Winter 1988). If a recharge wetland is drained, the water resources into which ground water discharges will receive less inflow, potentially changing the hydrology of a watershed (Brinson 1993; Winter 1988). Ewel (1990) calculated that if 80 percent of a 5-acre Florida cypress swamp were drained, available ground water would be reduced by an estimated 45 percent.

Rudrasagar lake helps to protect adjacent and downstream properties from potential flood damage.

The lake is internationally famed as the site of Fish and Wildlife Habitat. It is key to the lifecycles of waterfowl and other wildlife. It is important as reproduction and staging areas for migratory birds, as spawning and nursery grounds for fish, and as habitat for a great many invertebrates, reptiles, amphibians and plants. Diverse species of plants, insects, amphibians, reptiles, birds, fish, and mammals depend on wetlands for food, habitat, or temporary shelter.

It has the values like Recreation, Aesthetics, and Culture. Wetlands make excellent and inexpensive outdoor laboratories for students of all ages. The students get to see numerous plants and animals, and the cost to local schools is minor, other than the transportation. Wetlands have archeological, historical, cultural, recreational, and scientific values. Societies have traditionally formed along bodies of water and artifacts found in wetlands provide information about these societies. Due to the presence of the water palace ‘Neermahal’ it owned extra importance for the development of Ecotourism.

The lake also harbors commercially important wildlife species of different genera. Commercially important products harvested from wetlands include fish, timber, and some medicines derived from wetland soils and plants.

It has the capacity to Ground Water Recharge. Wetlands store surface water, which then infiltrates into the ground, providing recharge to aquifers. This ground water recharge in turn is slowly released back to adjacent surface water bodies, such as streams, providing water during low flow periods (base flow).

Although India is a party to the Ramsar Convention, it does not have strong national laws to prevent the misuse of the wetlands. In India the conservation and wise use of wetlands falls within the mandate of the Central Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF).The Wildlife (Protection) Act of 1972 which extends to all states in India except the state of Jammu and Kashmir provides for the establishment of sanctuaries (section 18) and national parks (section 35) and thus offers protection to wetlands which are or fall within the boundaries of protected areas.The Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 has been instrumental in protecting wetlands and groups of wetlands. Several significant regulations and Notifications have been passed under this broad Act for monitoring pollution and safeguarding the environment.