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Authors
Affiliations
1 Centre for Water Resources Development and Management, Kunnamangalam, Kozhikode-673 571, Kerala, IN
Source
Nature Environment and Pollution Technology, Vol 9, No 2 (2010), Pagination: 247-254
Abstract
The Vembanad Kol wetlands, the largest tropical estuary in the southwest coast of India, identified as a Ramsar site, lies between 9°00' and 10°40' N latitude and 76°00' and 77°30' E longitude.Thewetland systemincludes Vembanad backwaters, the lower reaches of six rivers with a drainage area of 16,200 km2 and the adjoining low lying Kol lands spread over an area of 136.32 km2.Thesystemhaving all the values and attributes assigned to wetland such as fishery, waterfowl, mangroves, associated vegetation, agriculture, recreation, tourismand inland navigation is now found to be environmentally degraded. The ecology of the backwater system has become totally upset due to the construction of regulators, spillways, overexploitation of resources and uncontrolled urbanization. The paper reviews the general features, present status, problems faced by the wetland system and strategies for its conservation and management.
Keywords
Tropical Estuary, Backwaters, Conservation and Management.
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