Resource dependence and attitudes of local people toward conservation of Kabartal wetland: a case study from the Indo-Gangetic plains

Abstract

Wetlands are rapidly disappearing from the earth's surface because of agricultural conversion and other land-use changes. The Indo-Gangetic biogeographic zone is a water-surplus area and it abounds in numerous wetlands and floodplains. Kabartal is one such freshwater wetland ecosystem situated in the mid Ganges basin. The wetland not only supports a large population of migratory and residential waterfowl but also plays an equally important role in the local economy and livelihoods of people. The objective of this paper is to examine the different wetland-society linkages, resource dependence, and attitudes of the people living in the peripheral villages of Kabartal. The results indicate that 67% of people depend on the wetland for different types of subsistence and commercial goods including fodder, fuel wood, construction materials, and fish. Kabartal wetland, like many other wetlands of the region, is used simultaneously for rice cultivation, fishing, and many other uses. This has resulted in conflict between different stakeholder groups. The nonsettlement of land rights in the Kabartal sanctuary area has further complicated the situation. Agriculture was rated as the most important use of the wetland and was the basic source of income in the area. This was apparent from the attitudes of people, and most of the respondents demanded draining of the water to make more land available for agriculture. The study reveals the high dependence of people in low-income groups on wetland resources. In such a scenario, although the concept of conservation is well supported, the economic conditions of people dictate otherwise. A general lack of awareness about the ecological functions of wetlands points to the need for conservation education. Managing the wetland on the basis of zone concepts and involving local people in alternative income-generating activity by use of extension programs has been suggested as a means of reducing pressure on agricultural land and also reducing the threat to Kabartal wetland.

Socio-Economic Stakes and Perceptions of Wetland Management in an Arid Region: A Case Study from Chott Merouane, Algeria

“…Given the overwhelming interest in developing eco-tourism, it seems important to develop other alternative economic activities that could reduce resource use. Several authors recommend promoting ecotourism projects to decrease the pressure on wetlands (Mironga 2005;Ambastha et al 2007;Nyakaana 2008), but extreme care should be taken because ecotourism development could have significant drawbacks in a fragile environment.…”

“…In this context, these aspects are critical to evaluate the extent of the damage and the need for creating a conservation framework for the wetlands. As Ambastha et al (2007) reported population prosperity and their incomes are dependent on both land availability and access to water. This study enabled us to determine the perception of the economic stakes of a chott; providing information on the various economic activities in the wetland and especially on the relative importance of these activities for local population (Schuyt 2005).…”

Attitudes of local people towards collective action for forest management: the case of participatory forest management in Dodola area in the Bale Mountains, Southern Ethiopia

“…Local community's perception of problems of natural resource management and their priority is different from that of external development agents (Matta and Alavalapati 2006;Shackleton et al 2002). The literature shows the wide held understanding that attitudes are strong correlates of actual behaviour and thus can be used to predict people's behaviour, their responses, acceptance, or reaction to development and conservation efforts (Ambastha et al 2007;Badola 1998;Gelcich et al 2005;Gillingham and Lee 1999;Infield and Namara 2001;Kideghesho et al 2007;Lee et al 2009;Lepp and Holland 2006;Mehta and Heinen 2001;Mehta and Kellert 1998;Rishi 2007;Shibia 2010;Shrestha and Alavalapati 2006;Tessema et al 2010;Zubair and Garforth 2006). For this reason, together with associated contextual factors such as social and economic factors, attitudes are considered essential in changing the behaviour and commitment of local communities towards natural resource management and conservation.…”

Luxury Uptake and Removal of Phosphorus from Water Column by Representative Aquatic Plants and Its Implication for Wetland Management

“…Transport of suspended solids and particulate bound nutrients is highly dependent on the inflow regime of wetland. The inflow regime of the studied wetland is its connection with river Buri Gandak and other water bodies like the Bikrampur Chaurs and Nagri Jheel in the late monsoon months [35]. The elevated P contents of these inflow water bodies cause the enhanced influx of P in Kabar.…”