Developmental perspective of wetlands in Birbhum district, West Bengal, India

Debnath Palit; Debalina Kar; Ambarish Mukherjee

Volume : VII, Issue : VI, June - 2017

Developmental perspective of wetlands in Birbhum district, West Bengal, India

Debnath Palit, Debalina Kar, Ambarish Mukherjee

Abstract :

We present the detail investigation over the 19 Blocks of the district where survey on wetlands have been carried out since 1998 to 2014 to record water bodies and study their characteristics. Out of 173 plant species discovered major areas of their utilization include folk–medicine (83 species), vegetables and fruits (24 species), fodder (15species) and miscellaneous items of herbal origin (35 species). Developmental activities that can be based on Birbhum wetlands under the existing conditions are suggested here which may prove worthwhile for consideration by the proper authorities. Long term developmental programmes through promotion of duckery, floriculture, pisciculture, vermiculture, cultivation of vegetables during dry periods of seasonal wetlands etc are the best management drivers of these wetlands in this province of West Bengal.