A Quintessential Q u a g m i r e
TABLE OF CONTENTS Introduction
EKW and Why? 1803 1829-33 1830
Kidneys of C a l c u t t a
1853 1864 1865 1868 1872 1874
Ta m i n g & Reclamation
1882 1887 1897 1904 1929 1930 1947
P r o d u c e P a r a d i s e
1978
A Part of the Metropolis
The Modern D i e g e s i s
1980 1985 1990 1992 2002 2010 2017
2021
( S o u r c e : B r i t i s h Coloured engraving of Fort William in Calcutta by Ryne (1712-60 published by Robert Sayer in London
C a l cu t t a ( m o d e r n d ay Ko l k a t a ) , one of the major cities of India stands near the eastern c o a s t o f t h e c o u n t r y, o n t h e banks of the Ganges (known as Hooghly locally). Founded by the British by bringing together three villages (viz. Sutanuti, Kalikata, Gobindapur) she is the current capital of West Bengal and formerly the capital of British India. To w a r d s t h e e a s t e r n e d g e of this metropolis lies vast stretches of amphibious landscapes formerly a part of the huge Indo-Gangetic delta that culminates into the largest mangrove forests in the
Sunderbans. These marshes were once connected to the B ay o f B e n g a l by t h e B i d ya d h a r i river and its tributaries that have now dried up thus cutting them off from the sea. These lands retained their nature as a conglomerate of bogs, marshes and wetlands and for quite some time were considered to be outside t h e m a i n c i t y. B u t a s s o o n as Calcutta started growing, the presence of the wetlands could no longer be ignored. The miraculous nature of these wetlands was soon discovered and people realised that they were an
L i b r a r y )
Jan Van in 1754).
integral part of the ecosystem in which Calcutta existed as a c i t y. O v e r t h e c e n t u r i e s t h e s e lands have worn different garbs and played different roles but in each era they have emerged as one of the lead characters in the tale of Calcutta, an undeniable a s p e c t o f t h e C i t y o f J o y. This report aims to reiterate those distinctive roles and bring forth the amazing tale of the charismatic East Kolkata We t l a n d s a n d i t s u n b e l i e v a b l e c o n t r i b u t i o n s t o t h e c i t y, her people and eventually the global ecosystem.
I n t r o d u c t i o n
Page 3
The entire city essentially functions as a huge water machine where the sewage and garbage from the city travel to the east wetland and about 80% of the fish and 50% of the agricultural produce of the city come from the wetlands which also served as the green lungs of the city before reducing to 1/3rd of their size in the recent years. The garbage is dumped in the Dhapa Wetland Dumping Grounds and the sewage travels in these canals to a series of oxidation ponds where they turn into wealth from waste, helping to sustain livelihoods and the e n v i ro n m e n t a t t h e s a m e t i m e . T h e s ewa g e i s a l l owed to s e t t l e or float behind in the canals
E K W
and the nutrient-rich water is let into these oxidation ponds once in 20 days or so. The depth of the oxidation ponds is approximately 1.5 m and hence the sun rays can penetrate through and oxidize it. After the primary oxidization of the contents of the primary pond, the remainder of the sewage in t h e s e c o n d a r y p o n d i s b r o ke n into sludge and nutrients. These nutrients thus help in the cultivation of fishes and the nutrient-rich water also helps to water the fields and the sludge after being treated can be used for cultivating agricultural land or in landfills.
sewage treatment system for Kolkata, but due to increasing population and pollution, this productive agricultural landscape is under threat. EKWMA serves as the heart for several interesting and nonnegotiable spaces and while a large part of the people of Kolkata has no idea what goes on in these wetlands, they have a huge role in the day-to-day functioning of Kolkata without an SWTP.
For centuries, the East Kolkata wetlands have served as a massive nature-based
&
W h y ?
1803 Drainage System of Kolkata was found to be extremely defective.
1829-33 E x c a v a t i o n o f t h e C i r c u l a r C a n a l
(Source: Map of Calcutta from actual survey in the years 1847–1849 by Simms, Thuillier, A p o r t i o n o f a n 1 8 4 9 s u r vey m a p o f C a l cu t t a ( e a s t o n t o p ) s h ows t h a t a p a r t f ro m t h e G r e a t ( L o l l ) Ta n k , m o s t o t h e r t a n k s s e e n i n t h i s n e i g h b o u r h o o d o n t h e 1 7 5 6 m a p , h a v e v a n i s h e d a n d w e r e r e p l a c e d by o f f i c e o r d o m e s t i c b u i l d i n g s a n d w a r e h o u s e s
Calcutta was founded in 1686; it soon became the hub of the British East India Company and the colonizers started developing it as a Presidency c i t y. A f t e r t h e f a m e d p o w e r struggle between Siraj-udDawla, the then Nawab of Bengal and the British, there was none strong enough to q u e s t i o n t h e E n g l i s h a u t h o r i t y. In 1772, when Calcutta was announced as the capital of British India, Warren Hastings, the first and most famous of the British governor-generals moved all important offices from Murshidabad -- the fo r m e r c a p i t a l o f B e n g a l d u r i n g Mughal Period -- to Calcutta. The British started building the city brick by brick and yet there was a major issue of waterlogging that was
K i d n e y s
noticed. The area that is today known as Kolkata used to be a collection of fishing hamlets with dense forests, creeks a n d c a n a l s t h a t co n n e c t e d t h e Hooghly River on the west with the wetlands and mudflats on the east. And surprisingly enough the natural slope of Calcutta was also from the west to the east. Thus these creeks acted as natural drainage connections that took care of the rainwater and sewage, depositing them in the eastern wetlands. The British also installed a large number of tanks meant for the co l l e c t i o n o f e xce s s r a i n w a t e r .
o f
1830 The Government of India wanted to reclaim the S a l t L a k e t o e x p a n d c i t y.
1853 A new detailed drainage scheme was prepared.
C a l c u t t a
Discovering and strengthening the naturally existing filtering system
Page 5
Drainage System of Kolkata was found to be extremely defective.
1803
Habitable
Despite all the efforts of the rulers, Calcutta was still subject to waterlogging during the heavy monsoons. The densely populated riparian neighbourhoods such as the markets of Barabazar and a l o n g t h e o l d p i l g r i m s’ w a y in Chitpore saw frequent flooding. So did the British settlements of Central Calcutta. The unplanned growth of the city and underdeveloped d r a i n a g e s ys t e m s a c ce n t u a t e d the waterlogging issues and eventually culminated into
K i d n e y s
o f
C a l c u t t a
spaces
of
the
city
which
were
outbreaks of waterborne diseases like Cholera, Malaria etc. These epidemics affected the “native” settlements of N o r t h C a l c u t t a e s p e c i a l l y. In an attempt to stall this p ro b l e m , t h e B r i t i s h e x c a v a t e d a number of narrow sewers aiming to drain out the rainwater and sewage into the Hooghly itself. It was an ill-conceived plan of action as it defied the natural slope of the land which was in the opposite direction. This led to further struggles causing
bound
to
get
flooded.
stagnation of water and filth, increasing the despair caused by insanitary living conditions during the monsoons.
Page 6
Drainage System of Kolkata was found to be extremely defective.
1829-33
C o n s t r u c t i o n
L o r d We l l e s l e y, t h e t h e n governor general condemned these ill-planned drainage strategies which caused the poor condition of drinking water and unhealthy sanitation of the residents of both the “black” and “white” towns. L o rd We l l e s l ey’s re p o r t c au s e d the appointment of the early version of municipal officers u n d e r t h e n a m e “J u s t i c e s o f Peace” who started looking at methods to improve the d w i n d l i n g d r a i n a g e co n d i t i o n s . They were succeeded by
K i d n e y s
o f
C a l c u t t a
o f
t h e
c i r c u l a r
the Lottery Committee who commissioned the excavation of the Circular (Beliaghata) Canal along the then northern and eastern boundaries of t h e g r a d u a l l y g r o w i n g c i t y. The existing open drains of North Calcutta in Chitpore , Burabazar, Nimtala areas were then connected to this Circular Canal which led the stormwater and sewage into the wetlands by utilizing the t i d e s o f t h e H o o g h l y. T h e c a n a l thus became instrumental in helping the wetlands
c a n a l
serve the purpose it was naturally serving since ages, much better – draining out the city and cleansing it of sewage. It was almost like the city was a human body and the wetlands were the kidneys. This canal remains f u n c t i o n a l t o t h e p r e s e n t d a y.
Page 7
The Government of India wanted to r e c l a i m t h e S a l t L a k e t o e x p a n d c i t y.
1830
Meanwhile, the population of the city kept growing. As a hub of activities of t h e E a s t I n d i a C o m p a n y, she offered several work opportunities to migrants from rural Bengal as well a s t h e r e s t o f t h e c o u n t r y. Everyone wanted to work here and make it big, earn a better living. The authorities thus started eyeing the salt pans of the current Salt Lake region for serving as an extension to the city in order to accommodate these new residents.
K i d n e y s
o f
C a l c u t t a
Page 8
1853
A new detailed drainage scheme was prepared.
A drainage scheme wasprepared according to which the storm water from the city was made to flow towards the wetlands.
It turned out that the Circular C a n a l c o u l d n’ t p u t a c o m p l e t e check on the waterlogging situation. The problem still existed. The major issue was the open sewage system of North Calcutta which used to get clogged causing water stagnation as the sewage f a i l e d t o re a c h t h e c a n a l . S i n ce there was no underground system of drainage, the tidal flows through the canal would often cause waterlogging thus worsening the already pitiful condition. The Lottery Committee addressed the issues arising due to the daily tides by constructing steam-powered lock gates; the first one being K i d n e y s
o f
C a l c u t t a
built at the mouth of the Circular canal in Bagbazar. Simultaneously it worked towards laying a detailed underground drainage system to absolve the waterlogging issues once and for all. Major General (then-Captain) Forbes of the Royal Engineers proposed the construction of a masonry aqueduct from Chitpore to South Park Street Cemetery and beyond to the Salt Lakes.This proposal was the one that ultimately got adopted amongst a total of three. He suggested the construction of two covered drains flanking the canal that would accept the sewage water from the open drain
networks. The covered drains would eventually drain into the masonry canal and the tides in the Circular Canal would be controlled by the lock gates. He also proposed t h e u s e o f “ d i n g h e e s” ( n a t i v e canoes) for transfer of goods using the flow of the canal. This can be considered as the very first phase in the dynamic development of the E a s t K o l k a t a We t l a n d s t h a t w e aim to trace in this report. It brings forth and celebrates the role of these wetlands as a massive natural sewage treatment system of the water rich city of Calcutta. The role it inherited naturally since its very formation. Page 9
Page 10
1864 A p o r t i o n o f t h e swampy area in the Salt Water Lake Region w a s a c q u i r e d f o r dumping of garbage.
1865 A Salt Lake Reclamation C o m p a n y o f f e r e d t o u n d e r t a k e t h e reclamation works. But due to financial problems it did not take place.
1868 Source: Bengal dacoits and tigers, Wikimedia commons
T h e f i r s t
r e f u s e w a s t i m e d u m p e d
1872 A f i s h g h a t w a s e s t a b l i s h e d a n d a c h a n n e l w a s c u t f r o m R a j a ’ s k h a l leading to this ghat.
The sewage was transferred to the wetlands. But what exactly happened there? Before the reclamation of these wetlands started, they were just vast stretches of lowlying marshes, salt pans and wetlands. The folklores of Bengal believed them to be home to terrifying “dakaater dol” (gangs of dacoits), the scourge of the feudal lords and rich “bhadralok”(s) (gentlemen) o f t h e c i t y. T h ey h i d e f f e c t i v e l y
in these uninhabited, forested marshlands away from the eyes of the “firang” (foreign) police forces for the longest period of time. It all came to a stop when the reclamation process was set in motion. The need for reutilizing started drawing the attention o f t h e g ove r n m e n t tow a rd s t h e u n d i s tu r b e d l a n d s a s o f n ow. T h e au t h o r i t i e s w a n t e d to t a m e t h e w i l d e r n e s s n o w . Ta m e i t and utilize it for something e l s e – e x p a n s i o n o f t h e c i t y.
1874 The fish market had been started successfully
1882 A part of the leased land was acquired for works in connection with the storm water channel
1887 C o n s t r u c t i o n o f D h a p a L o c k
1897 A n e w f i s h g h a t , named Pagladanga, w a s e s t a b l i s h e d
Taming
&
Reclamation
Systematic transformation o f t h e w i l d e r n e s s
Page 11
Ta m i n g
a n d
R e c l a m a t i o n
Page 12
Ta m i n g
a n d
R e c l a m a t i o n
Page 13
1.Land acquired for dumping of waste 2.Reclamation of Salt Lake 3.Refuse was dumped 4.A fish ghat was established 5.A fish market was started 6. A part of the leased land was acquired for works in connection with the storm water channel 7.Construction of Dhapa Lock 8.New Fish Ghat called Pagladanga was established 9. Construction of Bhangor Canal
Ta m i n g
a n d
R e c l a m a t i o n
Page 14
1864
A por tion of the swampy area in the Salt Water Lake Region was acquired for dumping of garbage.
With the increasing population, The city was already producing huge amounts of garbage and waste, without a proper place t o d u m p i t . T h e au t h o r i t i e s d e c i d e d t h a t t h e uninhabited lands of the EKW were by far t h e b e s t c h o i ce f o r a d u m p i n g g ro u n d . T h ey located plots of land they deemed had the l e a s t l a n d v a l u e a g r i c u l t u r a l l y, l o c a t e d i n the salt pans and appointed it as a place for garbage dumping. This was an iconic event that marked the active breach of the wetlands by human civilization. In a way it was the very first babystep towards the ultimate reclamation of the land.
The early stages of urbanization: when man and nature fought for the same lands Ta m i n g
a n d
R e c l a m a t i o n
Page 15
1865
A Salt Lake Reclamation Company offered to undertake the reclamation works. But due to financial problems it did not take place.
To s e t t h e p l a n i n m o t i o n , t h e E a s t India Company started looking for possible companies that would successfully manage to reclaim and co n v e r t t h e u n b r i d l e d w i l d n a t u re . T h e search was somewhat fruitful when they could successfully decide upon a R e c l a m a t i o n C o m p a n y t h a t wo u l d d o the job for them. But alas, the project was forced to be put aside for the time being due to the lack of funds a n d p a r t s o f t h e w e t l a n d s ke p t a c t i n g as the designated dumpyards for the c i t y’s g a r b a g e . I t i s b e l i e ve d t h a t i n and around this time, a few tanneries established by the British themselves came up close to the dumpyards such that the waste and the sewage g e n e r a t e d by t h e m co u l d s u c ce s s f u l l y be transported to these dumping grounds. The British tanneries in a way improved the job opportunity scenario of the entire population of migrants who had travelled to the city aiming to earn a better living.
Excessive burning of the waste at the dhapa dump yards
Ta m i n g
a n d
R e c l a m a t i o n
Page 16
1868
The
refuse
was
first
time
dumped
Source: https://www.arch. columbia.edu/books/reader/195w a t e r - u r b a n i s m - k o l k a t a i
This year marked the inauguration of refuse dumping in the wetland region. Ta m i n g
a n d
R e c l a m a t i o n
Page 17
1872
A fish ghat was established and a channel w a s c u t f r o m R a j a ’s k h a l l e a d i n g t o t h i s g h a t .
Fish has always been an integral part of the staple diet in a typical Bengali household. The main supply for fishes came from the Hooghly itself apart from the ones that were brought in from the Padma (in modern day Bangladesh) and from the Bay of Bengal itself. Humans are the forever adapting and i m p rov i s i n g s p e c i e s . T h ey co n s t a n t l y wo r k a ro u n d g i ve n co n d i t i o n s eve n tu a l ly m a k i n g them bend in favour of themselves. The g i ve n s i tu a t i o n w a s n’ t a ny d i f f e re n t . Pe o p l e decided to utilize the intricate canal networks as a supply for fishes as well, a fresh source point that would improve the quantity and reduce the pressure of a cq u i r i n g t h e m s o l e l y f ro m t h e r i v e r i t s e l f . A c h a n n e l t h a t c o n n e c t e d t o R a j a’s khal (canal) was cut and on this channel itself, a new fish ghat was e s t a b l i s h e d . N a t u r a l l y, t h e r e w a s a boom in the fish business of Calcutta.
Ta m i n g
a n d
R e c l a m a t i o n
Page 18
1874
The fish market had been started successfully
By the natural rule of succession, a new fish market was successfully started in this year to utilize the boom in business by drawing in more customers and improving the local e c o n o m y. I n a w a y t h i s w a s a n e s s e n t i a l landmark, marking the beginning of what would go on to become a major supply of fishes in the future. In a way it brought to notice the potential of the wetlands as a possible supplier of food apart from just being the receiver of sewage and garbage. Meanwhile, in 1876, parts of the land was leased out to an individual named Nandalal Das and the responsibility to acquire fisheries were given to a Durga Charan Kundu. Their p e r f o r m a n c e s w e r e d e e m e d u n s a t i s f a c t o r y. And eventually the corporation decided to lease the land out to Bhabanath Sen. It was ultimately under his careful supervision, that the practices of horticulture became organized and prominent apart from a better utilization of the watercourses that he managed to acquire the rights of.
Ta m i n g
a n d
R e c l a m a t i o n
Page 19
A p a r t o f t h e l e a s e d l a n d w a s acquired for works in connection w i t h t h e s t o r m w a t e r c h a n n e l
1881
With the steady urbanization of the wetlands working hand in hand with the establishment of fish ghats and fish markets there needed to be certain safety measures in place given the history of flooding of the area and the probability that the canal at certain points, might not contain all the water. Hence, just after the raja ka ghat and raja ka bazaar, the leased out land was converted into a stormwater channel to act as the safety net for all the houses that were to be built beyond that point.
Ta m i n g
a n d
R e c l a m a t i o n
Page 20
1882
C o n s t r u c t i o n
o f
D h a p a
L o c k
Following the model of the lock at Bagbazar, a steam-powered lock was built and named the Dhapa Lock in this area. The function remained the same – it would stop and allow the flow of water (and sewage) into the canal facilitated by sluice gates located at different places. This started the trend of controlling waterflow in the creeks and canals of the eastern wetlands based on the tidal waterflows o f t h e H o o g h l y, a m e t h o d f o l l o w e d t i l l d a t e f o r t h e purpose of running a functional drainage system
Ta m i n g
a n d
R e c l a m a t i o n
Page 21
1887
A n e w f i s h g h a t , n a m e d P a g l a d a n g a , w a s e s t a b l i s h e d
By 1887 the fish business h a d i m p r o v e d v a s t l y. To accommodate the growing demand of fish produce, yet another fish ghat was established and named “ Pa g a l d a n g a” . T h e g h a t also saw the setting up of a “haat” (retail market) d e d i c a t e d t o f i s h e s s o l e l y. A navigation channel was also constructed to connect this market to the town reservoir, making the exchange and transpot of goods easier. It is believed that around this
Ta m i n g
a n d
R e c l a m a t i o n
time people noticed a surge in the population of fishes in the lagoons. It was due to the sewage water that used to get pumped by the locks into the canals. The sewage is what reduced the salinity in the lagoons and freshwater fishes began swarming there in large numbers.
Page 22
1897
C o n s t r u c t i o n
o f
B h a n g o r
C a n a l
1897 saw the construction of yet another canal –the Bhangor canal. The aim remained the same; to better the drainage system of Calcutta and successfully lead the sewage into the wetlands. When civilization starts to overtake nature, we see it t a k i n g ov e r t h e n a t u r a l w ays i n which that place worked and enhancing those by utilizing machineries and improved technologies, that make the working of a system more organised and not dependent on the whims of the wilderness. The beginning of reclamation of the East Kolkata Wetlands w a s n o d i f f e re n t . I n t h i s p h a s e , these lands were being tamed and controlled in ways they would be perfectly fit to serve civilization, fit to serve the city of Calcutta better than before. This phase marks a transformation in the role of the wetlands. Apart from serving solely as the kidneys, newer aspects and possibilities were getting discovered and implemented i n t h i s a re a n ow. T h e h u m a n s now knew how to control and navigate these lands.
It was no longer notorious as a hub to the terrifying ruthless “dacoits of Bengal”; it had gradually started its journey towards becoming a part of the city itself.
Ta m i n g
a n d
R e c l a m a t i o n
Page 23
Page 24
1904 It was noticed that 452 bigha out of 1658 bighas leased land were under cultivation (mainly g a r b a g e f a r m i n g ) .
1929
Source: https://www.arch.columbia.edu/ books/reader/195-water-urbanism-kolkatai C a b b a g e
F a r m i n g
A l o n g s i d e
t h e
F i s h
F i r s t t i m e t h e commercial pisciculture was practiced by a private entrepreneur.
G h a t s
1930 By this period, the eastern wetlands had started to show e a r l y s i g n s o f b e co m i n g a s e a t of major produce supplies. As explained earlier, the salinity of the brackish wetlands had reduced considerably due to its interaction with the city sewage, making it ideal for agriculture as well as fish farming. It was soon about to emerge as a fruitage stalwart. This phase celebrates the role of the EKW as an unique ecological treasure
that successfully causes an incremental explosion in the food and produce supply of the megacity that Calcutta was gradually becoming. Fuelled by the sewage and drainage w a t e r o f t h e c i t y, t h e w e t l a n d s act as a giant water machine with produce as its output. Alas, a megacity comes with its pros and cons. The wetlands were always a part of easily available land. Thus growth of the city occurs here which in turn endangers their natural existence.
Sri Bibhuti Bhushan G h o s h s e e m s t o h a v e i n n o v a t e d a perennial system of wastewater fisheries .
1947 Actual development o f S a l t l a k e s t a r t s
1978 T h o u g h n o m a j o r c o n v e r s i o n t o o k place, but more and m o re w a t e r b o d i e s w e r e t r a n s f o r m e d i n t o r i c e f i e l d s .
P r o d u c e
P a r a d i s e
P r o p a g a t i o n p r o d u c t i o n
o f t h e c u l t u r e
Page 25
P r o d u c e
P a r a d i s e
Page 26
P r o d u c e
P a r a d i s e
Page 27
1904
It was noticed that 452 bigha out of 1658 bighas leased land were under cultivation (mainly garbage farming).
A section through the most commonly found garbage farming practice
Among the 1658 bighas (220 ha) of land that had been leased out to Bhabanath Sen, 452 bighas (60 ha) were already being used for cultivation purposes. Horticulture was now a part and parcel of the wetland activities. It was basically the beginning of what has become famous as garbage farming i.e. farming facilitated by using sewage. By using the effluents carried by the canals, a second crop of paddy (and other food crops and vegetables) grew in this area. It was beneficial and a sustainable solution as compared to migration to a new alien farmland post decaying of topsoil.
P r o d u c e
P a r a d i s e
The second crop was also an essential aspect in improving the livelihoods of the residing poor fishermen who barely managed to make ends meet. This is what marked the beginning of urban f a r m i n g i n t h e C i t y o f J o y. This practice inaugurated u n d e r S e n’s s u p e r v i s i o n i s s t i l l p r a c t i c e d b y t h e s t a ke h o l d e r s o f t h e w e t l a n d s . C u r r e n t l y, the market garbage (organic waste) is decomposed over a period of five to seven days and subsequently mixed with soil in order to prepare the land for sowing seeds or saplings. It is believed that this method was passed down through the ages. So
clearly it is the same one that d e v e l o p e d d u r i n g S e n’ s t i m e . A p a r t f r o m p a d d y, f o o d c r o p s like wheat, rye, corn etc. were also grown and still are. Even though cultivation began on only 60 hectares of land, pretty soon more and more of the previously unused wetlands started co m i n g u n d e r t h e d e m a rc a t i o n of these highly successful garbage farms. There was a major explosion in the food supply of the city as a result.
Page 28
1904
P r o d u c e
It was noticed that 452 bigha out of 1658 bighas leased land were under cultivation (mainly garbage farming).
P a r a d i s e
Page 29
First time the commercial pisciculture w a s p r a c t i c e d b y a p r i v a t e e n t r e p r e n e u r.
1929
Apart from agriculture, various practices of pisciculture also skyrocketed during this time. Time and again it has been proved that the inherent unique quality of these wetlands and its people is in their capability of reutilising natural resources in order to convert an o t h e r w i s e d i s a d v a n t a g e o u s e co l o g i c a l co n d i t i o n into one providing better economy and livelihoods. It was noticeable in this era as well.
S o u r c e :
w w w . n z d l . o r g
A slow progression of the fishing and farming practices through the times
P r o d u c e
P a r a d i s e
Page 30
1930
Sri Bibhuti Bhushan Ghosh seems t o h a v e i n n o v a t e d a p e r e n n i a l system of wastewater fisheries .
In 1930, Bibhutibhushan Ghosh found out an innovative method to propagate wastewater fishing practices (a method n o t i n p r a c t i ce a ny m o re ) . T h e s e earlier methods have been built and broken time and again to ultimately g i v e r i s e t o t h e o n e i n vo g u e p re s e n t l y.
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These are the fishes that are m o s t l y f o u n d i n t h e a n a e ro b i c , facultative and maturation ponds also locally called the “ b h e r i s” . T h e y f o r m a m a j o r part of the daily diet of the city and state. Ghosh had seen this possibility as early as the 1930s and taken action a c c o r d i n g l y. T h e d e c r e a s e o f salinity ruined the possibilities of brackish water based fish farming but the people had already invented methods to propagate freshwater fishfarming in the lagoons instead using the city sewage. T h e s e e xc re t a f e d w a t e r b o d i e s
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d o n’ t j u s t s u p p o r t f r e s h w a t e r carps that are known to feed on human excreta and faeces. They are also home to several aquatic plants (often useful) such as water spinach, water mimosa, water cress etc.- vegetables used as food for humans. Several other species such as duckweeds and Wolffia act as food for the residing fishes. Within a few years there were almost 350 sites within the wetlands using the method of wastewater aquaculture. This method was in all probability derived
through trials and errors and basic human instincts; and currently it allows for a major chunk of produce supply of about almost 40 percent co l l e c t e d f ro m t h e s e w e t l a n d s .
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1947
Actual development of Saltlake starts
India became an independent nation and hand in hand started the actual redevelopment of Salt Lake. Calcutta was growing as fast as ever. After the Partition of Bengal, there was an exodus of people from Bangladesh, the then East Pakistan, thereby increasing the population of Calcutta r a p i d l y. T h e m i g r a n t s n e e d e d livelihoods and residences. Helmed in by the Hooghly on the west and the marshes and the brackish lakes in the east, the city could grow only in the north-south direction. Dr Bidhan Chandra Roy founded the city of Kalyani, about 30 miles north of Calcutta, to accommodate these hapless
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people. But this did not succeed. So as an alternative solution, Salt Lake had to be developed. The growth of a new township had become essential at this point. In 56, the Salt Lake Reclamation Scheme was formulated and acquisition notices were served to many aquaculture farms.
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1962-67
Salt Lake reclamation for the extension of city led to large scale conversion of wetlands
Dredger on the Hooghly. Source : Hooghly Dock and Port Engineers Ltd.
U r b a n i z a t i o n h a d a l re a d y s t a r t e d c l a w i n g at the produce paradise. About 1200 ha of the wetland ponds were filled with silt dredged from the Hooghly river (two dredgers, two tug pusher boats, two bergs and two survey launches and t h re e b o o s t i n g s t a t i o n s we re d e p l oye d ) . In around 1972, 320 more ha were added to the area of reclaimed land. T h i s l a n d f i l l e d zo n e w a s u s e d t o d e v e l o p a p l a n n e d re s i d e n t i a l t o w n s h i p c u r re n t l y k n o w n a s t h e B i d h a n n a g a r To w n s h i p .
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1978
Though no major conversion took place, but more and more water bodies were transformed into rice fields.
Dr. Bidhan Chandra Roy inaugurating the Salt Lake Development Project Source: Anandabazar Patrika
A f t e r t h e c o n s t r u c t i o n o f S a l t L a ke b e g a n , t h e r e w e r e n o m a j o r c o n v e r s i o n s o f w a t e r b o d i e s i n t o land. But more and more lagoons were getting transformed in paddy fields in order to meet the sudden surge of population. These were add-ons to the already existing garbage farms.
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1980 C o n s t r u c t i o n o f t h e E a s t e r n Metropolitan Bypass.
1985 We s t B e n g a l S t a t e P l a n n i n g B o a r d
1990
Source: https://www.arch.columbia.edu/ books/reader/195-water-urbanism-kolkatai
Calcutta was no longer a city made of three villages. It had expanded and developed towards becoming a metropolis in the past centuries. It was now a major city of independent India, on its way to become the first city having metro railway lines laid. Huge thoroughfares were getting constructed to connect the city better. It was evident that the wetlands would not remain within a separate natural bubble any longer. Slowly b u t s u r e l y, u r b a n d e v e l o p m e n t was creeping into its domain
and soon there was going to occur a power struggle between urbanization and conservation. Tre a t i e s wo u l d b e s i g n e d a n d t h e wetlands would be fought over.
UN Global 500 Laureate a w a r d g o e s f o r conservation activities on East Kolkata Wetlands
2002 East Calcutta Wetlands comprising 32 mouzas was included in the Ramsar list, covering 1 2 5 0 0 h e c t a r e s
2010 Ministry of Environment and Forests released g u i d e l i n e s f o r m a n a g i n g we t l a n d s which disallowed any discharge of wastewater i n t o t h e w e t l a n d s
2017 On World Water Day 2017, UN declares the East Kolkata Wetlands as one of the two most o u t s t a n d i n g i n t h e world where wastewater i s b e i n g t r e a t e d
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C o n s t r u c t i o n o f t h e E a s t e r n M e t r o p o l i t a n B y p a s s .
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In 1980 the construction of the E. M. Bypass started which is a huge asset to the city as it is 32 km connecting significant parts of Calcutta from ultadanga in the north to baruipur in the south. It became operational in 1982 and became one of the very first high-tech citywide constructions and it became an example and ignition point for development sites across the city. P
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W e s t B e n g a l S t a t e P l a n n i n g Board released the East Calcutta Wetland and Waste Recycling map
1985
Zoomed in the plan of the EKW, its networks and connections with the city along with the reserved area
In 1985, the EKW management plan was published by government, which defined 12500 hectares as a reserved area for EKW, using the pre-mentioned sewage water machine to raise fish and cultivate paddy and vegetables
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U N G l o b a l 5 0 0 L a u r e a t e a w a r d goes for conservation activities o n E a s t K o l k a t a W e t l a n d s
1990
In India, wetlands are inadequately addressed on the national water sector agenda (Bassi et al, 2014) and are commonly drained and changed by anthropogenic activities such as unplanned urban and agricultural d eve l o p m e n t s , i n d u s t r i e s , ro a d construction, impoundment, and resource exploitation. However, one example is the unique East Kolkata Wetlands stretched over 12,500 hectares utilizing city waste in successive recovery processes to produce fish, ve g e t a b l e s , a n d p a d d y.
Schematic section showing the working of the oxidation ponds
It is the only RAMSAR site known for its intelligent use in India. Its peculiarity is that fish develop in shallow swimming ponds that are receiving wastewater every day from the heart of the Kolkata m e t ro p o l i s t h ro u g h t h e c i t y’s o u t f a l l c h a n n e l s e v e r y d a y. The East Kolkata Wetlands and Waste Recycling Region also co-recycles waste from Dhapa, a city rubbish disposal site, mostly by the population o f w a s t e p i c ke r s w h o p e r f o r m t h i s m a n u a l l y. T h ey c o m e f r o m the dumping site villages. It was the community that drove the wetland management system and supported it for many decades without waiting for the authorities to take over its maintenance that secured the success of this waste management
s y s t e m . B u t t o d a y, b e c a u s e the administrative and g o v e r n a n c e s t a n d a rd s a r e s t i l l n o t p rov i d e d t o m a i n t a i n i t a n d general lack of attention from officials puts this important ecosystem in a crisis. W
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2002
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E a s t C a l c u t t a W e t l a n d s Sr. c oNo. m p rMauza i s i nName g 3 2 m o u z a s w a s i n c l u d e d i1nSamukpota t h e R a m s a r l i s t , c o v e r i n g 1 2 5 0 0 h e2cGaral tares
Mauza Name 1 Samukpota 2 Garal 3 Pratapnagar 4 Tardaha Kapashati 5 Tardaha 6 Tihuria 7 Nayabad 8 Kantipota 9 Ranabhutia 10 Atghara 11 Bhagabanpur 12 Deara 13 Kheadaha 14 Kumarpukuria 15 Goalpota 16 Khodahati 17 Kharki 18 Dhapa 19 Dakshin Dhapa Nanpur 20 Hadia P a r t 21o Beonta f t h e M e t ro p o l i s
3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 Sr. No. Mauza Name 15 1 Samukpota 16 2 Garal 17 3 Pratapnagar 18 4 Tardaha Kapashati 19 5 Tardaha 20 6 Tihuria 21 7 Nayabad 22 8 Kantipota 23 9 Ranabhutia 24 10 Atghara 25 11 Bhagabanpur 26 12 Deara 27 13 Kheadaha Sr. No. 28 Sr. No.14 Kumarpukuria Mauza Name 29 15 1Goalpota 1 Samukpota 30 16 2Khodahati 2 Garal 31 17 3Kharki 3 Pratapnagar 32 18 4Dhapa 4 Tardaha Kapashati 33 19 5Dakshin Dhapa Nanpur 5 Tardaha 20 6Hadia 6 Tihuria 21 7Beonta 7 Nayabad 22 8Pachuria Kulberia 8 Kantipota 23 Dharmatala 9 9 Ranabhutia 24 Hatgachha 10 10 Atghara 25 Dhapa Manpur 11 11 Bhagabanpur 26 Bonchtala 12 12 Deara 27 Chowbaga 13 13 Kheadaha 28 Dhalenda 14 14 Kumarpukuria 29 Paschim Chowbaga 15 15 Goalpota 30 Nonadanga 16 16 Khodahati 31 Chak Kobar Khal 17 17 Kharki 32 Jagatipota 18 18 Dhapa 33 Mukundapur 19 19 Dakshin Dhapa Nanpur 20 20 Hadia 21
Pratapnagar Tardaha Kapashati Tardaha Tihuria Nayabad Kantipota Ranabhutia Atghara Bhagabanpur Deara Kheadaha Kumarpukuria Goalpota Khodahati Kharki Dhapa Dakshin Dhapa Nanpur Hadia Beonta Pachuria Kulberia Dharmatala Hatgachha Dhapa Manpur Bonchtala Chowbaga Dhalenda Mauza Name Paschim Chowbaga Samukpota Nonadanga Garal Chak Kobar Khal Pratapnagar Jagatipota Tardaha Kapashati Mukundapur Tardaha Tihuria Nayabad Kantipota Ranabhutia Atghara Bhagabanpur Deara Kheadaha Kumarpukuria Goalpota Khodahati Kharki Dhapa Dakshin Dhapa Nanpur Hadia Page 41 Beonta
Ministry of Environment and Forests released guidelines for managing wetlands which disallowed any discharge of wastewater into the wetlands
2010
Maps showing present landuse and landuse in 1991
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On World Water Day 2017, UN declares the East Kolkata Wetlands as one of the two most outstanding in the world where wastewater is being treated
2017
The Ministry of Environment and Forests released guidelines for managing w e t l a n d s w h i c h d i s a l l ow e d a n y d i sc h a rg e of wastewater into the wetlands . These Guidelines build on the preexisting base-line Ramsar Guidelines on management planning for Ramsar sites and other wetlands adopted by Resolution 5.7 of COP5 in 1993 and published in Ramsar Handbook 8 (January 2000). They provide additional guidance on environmental, social and economic impact assessment and cost-benefit analysis, zonation and multiple use, design and maintenance of buffer zones, and the application of the precautionary approach.
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The EKW was announced by the UN in 2 0 1 7 a s b e i n g o n e o f t h e t wo wo r l d’s most important wastewater wetlands, with the other being in Kampala, Uganda, on the occasion of World W a t e r D a y. T h e c o n t r i b u t i o n s a n d knowledge of the community of people residing in these wetlands since the turn of the century has been unique in the field of wastewater treatment. EKW is the world’s earliest known method in co-recycling both solid waste and wastewater
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The neighbourhood has changed over the years. It is now a fast – developing peri urban area with an upcoming metro line following the E M Bypass. The presence of the Kasba Industrial area and the Ruby Hospital along with the passport-visa office, offices of major brands and some important automobile showrooms is instrumental in the rapid development of the area , it is very m u c h a p a r t o f t h e c i t y n o w, n o l o n g e r a r u r a l z o n e a t t h e e a s t e r n edge. The establishment of a 7 tower gated community and prestigious schools and colleges has successfully attracted more and more of the citizens into this neighbourhood. Alongside the urbanization, the government has made an effort to maintain the sewage farm practices and the fisheries running smoothly a n d m a k i n g u p f o r a l a r g e c h u n k o f t h e f o o d s u p p l y t o t h e c i t y. But like in most cases, with the advent of urbanization, the claws of pollution grasp a place as well. The current threat that plagues the EKW is the unbridled dumping of inorganic waste which in turn is clogging the connecting canals and raising the amount of toxic compounds within it. T h e l a n d t h a t f a l l s u n d e r t h e R A M S A R Tr e a t y i s s t i l l g e t t i n g encroached by the informal settlers as well as the promoters who find the land price to be cheaper here. The filling of the lowlying lands thus has become another major problem which is messing with the natural filtering calibre of the wetlands. With no municipality functions available for them, the informal settlers have no place other than the streams of the canals for discarding the waste. This has increased the amount of inorganic waste in the waters , thus affecting the crops that are irrigated u s i n g t h e s e w a g e w a t e r . T h e e n t i r e c yc l e l a c e d d e l i c a t e l y w i t h t h e f o o d c yc l e o f Ko l k a t a s h a l l f a ce t h e b r u n t o f s o m u c h p l a s t i c w a s t e . This section of the report allows us to see the neighbourhood in a new light. It focuses on the current socio-cultural, economic and environmental conditions and also explains how the EKW and its p e o p l e a re co n n e c t e d to g e t h e r i n t e r m s o f t h e i r l i ve l i h o o d s a s we l l .
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2021
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A f i n a l zo o m - i n i n to a 2 . 5 x 2 . 5 k m s w a t c h w a s s e l e c t e d by t h e au t h o rs d u e to t h e t e n s i o n c re a t e d a t t h e j u n c t i o n o f t h e c a n a l , we t l a n d s , E . M . By p a s s , i n fo r m a l s e t t l e m e n t s , a n d t h e su d d e n ly fo rced u r ba n i z a t i o n brought about by the 40 story high Urbana. Here the tension between the built and the natural is at its highest.
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2021
U n d e r s t a n d i n g
T o p o l o g y
A study into the selected swatch is carried out by creating several longitudinal sections along the various terrains of the selected swatch. The section is cut through the E. M. Bypass, jheel, canal, and the various neighborhoods that have formed around them. While the gently sloping terrain with marshy land around the jheel has given birth to informal settlements and the area to the right of the canal and left of the bypass has seen proper formal development.
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2021
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2021
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2021
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2021
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2021
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S o u r c e : E n c r o a c h m e n t
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Source: https://scroll.in/article/806273/ g r e e d - a n d - i n d i f f e r e n c e - a r e d e s t roy i n g - e a s t - ko l k a t a s - we t l a n d s o f L e a t h e r i n t h e E K W
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Kolkata is a metropolitan city housing a population of 1.497 Cr people. The amount of sewage and waste generated by the city is humongous. Although, the city has a unique way of treating it and deriving wealth out of it. T h e l o c a t i o n o f o u r s t u d y, o r t h e ‘ K i d n e y s o f K o l k a t a’ a s i t i s c a l l e d , f o r m s a n i m p o r t a n t ecosystem and plays a vital role in the lives of every citizen of the city of joy in one way or another.
https://www.theguardian.com/ 016/oct/11/hell-earth-greatc a n d a l - l i f e - r u b b i s h - d u m p D
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Over the years, the process of urbanization of Kolkata has resulted in the reduction in the size of the regional ecosystems to one-third of its o r i g i n a l s i z e i n j u s t 2 00 ye a rs . I t’s l e d to t h e s h i f t in livelihoods away from the wetlands, scarcity of potable water for the informal settlers, reduction in lifespans around the dumping ground at dhapa and many more such horrid consequences. After a thorough analysis and research on the area, it goes without saying that the cost of the long term damage to the health of these wetlands will far outweigh the short-term profit to the builders eyeing this region for further development. The basis for our vision for the future of this neighborhood revolves around the fact that the wetlands and its functioning is of the utmost importance. And that, the wetlands should be celebrated for what they are, as it wa s i m a g i n ed w h e n i t wa s g i ve n t h e t a g o f a R A M SA R S i t e . The fishermen and farmers, politicians and also the citizens are all important stakeholders of this ecosystem and hence a collective effort by them is what will get the wetlands the glory it deserves. Participation by way of skill-building, planning and further research as well as spreading awareness and facilitating interactions from all stakeholders is n e c e s s a r y, a s w e f i r m l y b e l i e v e t h a t o n l y a s e n s e o f owness towards the EKW is what will help conserve it.
Takeaway & Proposition
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1. http://www.bl.uk/onlinegallery/ onlineex/maps/asia/ioruxu1226u1854.html 2 . h t t p s : / / i i i f . l i b . h a r v a rd . e d u / m a n i f e s t s / v i e w / i d s : 1 1 0 7 6 1 5 6 3. http://www.nzdl.org/cgi-bin/ library?e=d-00000-00---off-0cdl--000----0-10-0---0---0direct-10---4------0-0l--11-en-50---20-about---00-0-100-0--4----0-0-11-10-0utfZz-8-10&cl= 4 . h t t p s : / / w w w . b e h a n c e . n e t / g a l l e r y / 7 6 8 8 3 0 7 7 / R e s i l i e n c e Landscape-Infrastructure-Masterplan 5.
https://rsis.ramsar.org/ris/1208
6 . h t t p : / / e k w m a . i n / e k / a b o u t u s / h i s t o r y - c h r o n o l o g y / 7. https://www.arch.columbia.edu/books/ reader/195-water-urbanism-kolkatai
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https://youtu.be/YJodOKKG2pw
9 .
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1 . Ko m a l A g a r w a l 2. Risha Chitalia 3. Bidisha Ghosh 4. Parth Mehta 5.
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