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Investigation of the principal vectors of wetland loss in Barind tract of West Bengal

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Abstract

In last few decades flood plain wetland loss in the Barind tract of West Bengal has become a serious threat to the hydro-ecological setup and livelihood security. Out of total study area (6790.38 km2), only < 1% is covered with riparian wetland of different kinds. Moreover there is no definite wetland map in meso and micro spatial scale which is crucial for managing wetland. Therefore, present paper attempts to systematic mapping of riparian wetland, monitoring, estimating loss and investigating associated vectors of wetland loss. The result demonstrates that since 1988–2016, about 65% wetland has either lost or at the verge of loss. Heavy anthropogenic pressures like reclamation of 4% wetland to agriculture land, 35–50% dwindling of peak flow in Tangon, Punarbhaba and Atreyee rivers, average 3–4 m lowering down of ground water level, delinking of Tista system from off shoots channel as mentioned are the prime vectors of wetland transformation. Such disappointing incidents may invite shrinking of valuable biodiversity rich natural capital and precious habitat.

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  1. Department of Geography, University of Gour Banga, Malda, West Bengal, 732103, India

    Rajib Tarani Das & Swades Pal

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  1. Rajib Tarani Das
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Correspondence to Rajib Tarani Das.

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Das, R.T., Pal, S. Investigation of the principal vectors of wetland loss in Barind tract of West Bengal. GeoJournal 83, 1115–1131 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10708-017-9821-8

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