Inland Wetlands of India : Conservation Priorities
Contents: Preface. Foreword. Acknowledgements. Executive summary. 1. Introduction. 2. Objectives and methodology. 3. Tamil Nadu. 4. Kerala. 5. Karnataka. 6. Goa. 7. Andhra Pradesh. 8. Orissa. 9. Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh. 10. Maharashtra. 11. Gujarat. 12. Rajasthan. 13. Haryana. 14. Punjab. 15. Jammu and Kashmir. 16. Himachal Pradesh. 17. Uttar Pradesh and Uttaranchal. 18. Bihar and Jharkhand. 19. West Bengal. 20. Sikkim. 21. Meghalaya. 22. Assam. 23. Arunachal Pradesh. 24. Nagaland. 25. Manipur. 26. Mizoram. 27. Tripura. 28. Synthesis and overview. 29. Wetland conservation issues and recommendations. 30. References. Appendices. Index.
From the Preface: "As freshwater becomes a scarce resource, conflicts are emerging at various levels over access to this essential element for human sustenance. It is in this context that wetlands assume a special significance. Wetlands have the capacity to absorb floodwaters and thereby control floods. In the drier areas they provide fresh water for all forms of life. As part of the overall effort to ensure water sufficiency, conserving the ecology and hydrology of wetlands assumes great significance.
This comprehensive publication, which is an outcome of the Government of India -- UNDP Initiative on the conservation and management of wetlands under the Previous Country Programme (from 1997-2002), provides a detailed multi-parameter baseline for wetlands throughout India. The Geographical Information System (GIS) database for 232 districts of the country encapsulated in the book, has the potential to become a powerful planning tool for the government, local communities and the civil society for the conservation and sustainable use of these wetlands. With the publication of this study, it is now possible to access vital information related to wetlands in the public domain."
