An assessment of the present condition of a wetland in a developing city: the case of Pallikaranai marsh, Chennai, India

Abstract

The impact of human habitation on ecosystems in developing countries, while studying the case of a wetland situated in the city of Chennai, India, is the focus of this paper. City growth resulted in increased attention towards the wetland site and simultaneously, an influx of population in this area. This also resulted in shrinking of the marsh accompanied by deterioration of nearby water bodies. Highlighting the need for appropriate monitoring of environmental resources, the region could be viewed from the perspective of sustainable management and tools for the same are called for. Time series data from Landsat images and historical cadastral maps from the same time period are used for analysis. Trend analysis, studies from secondary sources, field observations and key-informant interviews have culminated in this research. The primary losses were found to be in terms of landscape value, changes in hydrology, biodiversity and anthropogenic impacts. The authors have found that in this transformation of the water-landscape, the problems characterizing the resultant urban unit such as inundation and storm water conveyance are a direct consequence of the loss of natural resources, and this emphasizes the need to save the water body. The present condition of the marsh is thereby evaluated, the major issues examined and recommendations for the governing authorities and the public are made.