Ecosystem Services of Chariganga and Arpara Beel in Nadia District, West Bengal: A Geographical Enquiry

Abstract

The ecological set up of the deltaic Bengal has immensely been benefitted by the ecosystem services extended by the freshwater wetlands. Along with the diverse ecological benefits, those floodplain wetlands serve the adjacent agrarian community through the provision of free goods and services. The present study has attempted to identify the ecological resources provided by the Chariganga and Arpara Beel and its impact on the livelihood patterns of the rural inhabitants. Both qualitative and quantitative techniques have been used for the study. Ecosystem Service Index (ESI) has been computed to quantify the values of ecosystem services in each category for the dry and wet periods. Nearly 33 ecosystem services are identified which have significantly influenced the socio-economic lifestyle of the inhabitants of three adjacent villages like Arpara, Gotpara, and Sultanpur but not homogeneously in terms of space, time, and status of stakeholders. The computed ESI values reveal that the maximum index value in each category of ecosystem services has been recorded at Chariganga Wetland in both dry and wet seasons. Moreover, the fluctuation of ESI between the two seasons is least at Chariganga Wetland (0.03) compared to Arpara Wetland (0.28). Spatio-temporal variation in availability of resources has conspicuously altered the yearlong utilisation pattern of wetlands’ resources and put a noticeable imprint upon the diverse economic activities and cultural practices of the beneficiaries. The seasonal transformation of a large segment of the studied wetlands in wet and dry months has noticeably influenced the livelihood strategies of the natives. As a consequence, dynamism in utilisation pattern and contrasted societal views concerning the wetland-people interdependency has come into existence.

A geographical assessment of Chariganga and Arpara Beel (wetlands) of Nadia, West Bengal as a habitat of wetland birds

“…Focus group discussions and field surveys unveil that these wetlands provide an array of ecosystem services, from provisioning material resources to intangible cultural services, which put a significant impact on the economic and cultural livelihood patterns of the local people. Mandal et al (2020) have identified 33 ecosystem services (encompassing eight provisioning, 10 regulating, five cultural, and 11 supportive services), extended by these selected wetlands. The local people interact with the wetlands in 13 ways to collect the benefits of the ecosystem services.…”

Forest Ecosystem Services and Their Valuation in Mizoram, the Eastern Extension of the Himalaya

“…(Kumar et al, 2017;Kumari et al, 2020). Wetlands play an essential role in maintaining water quality and act as kidneys of the natural world (Mandal et al, 2020). Mizoram obtains sufficient wetlands in the forms of lakes/ponds, waterlogged, rivers/streams, reservoirs/barrages, and small wetlands (Table 3).…”