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A wetland is an area of land that is saturated with water either permanently or seasonally. Wetlands can be found where water accumulates at or near the surface, creating ecosystems that are distinct from both aquatic and terrestrial environments. Wetlands are characterized by the presence of water-tolerant plants (hydrophytes) and specific types of soil (hydric soil) that are formed under wet conditions. Type-wise wetland distribution refers to the classification and spatial distribution of different types of wetlands within a specified area, measured in hectares (ha). Wetlands are categorized based on their physical, chemical, and biological characteristics, influencing their ecological functions and services.
India showcases a diverse and extensive network of wetlands, with significant variations in type and distribution across different regions. The total wetland area for each state reveals that Gujarat has the largest wetland coverage (3,499,429 hectares), followed by Andhra Pradesh (1,141,606 hectares) and West Bengal (1,130,127 hectares). This distribution highlights the importance of coastal states in India’s wetland ecosystem. Rivers and streams form the backbone of India’s wetland system, with substantial areas in many states. Uttar Pradesh (612,856 ha), West Bengal (654,344 ha), and Assam (705,210 ha) have the largest areas under this category, reflecting the presence of major river systems like the Ganges and Brahmaputra. Reservoirs and barrages also contribute significantly to India’s wetland area, particularly in states like Maharashtra (488,461 ha), Madhya Pradesh (486,091 ha), and Karnataka (240,641 ha). This indicates the importance of man-made water bodies for water resource management in these regions. Coastal wetlands show interesting patterns. Gujarat stands out with extensive intertidal mudflats (2,142,215 ha) and salt marshes (136,397 ha), indicating a unique coastal ecosystem. West Bengal has the largest area under mangroves (221,410 ha), highlighting the significance of the Sundarbans. The Andaman & Nicobar Islands show a substantial area of coral reefs (54,770 ha), emphasizing their ecological importance.
Some states have distinctive wetland features. For instance, Ladakh has a significant area of high-altitude wetlands (112,113 ha), reflecting its mountainous terrain. Tamil Nadu has the largest area of inland lakes (323,949 ha), while Bihar and Uttar Pradesh have considerable oxbow lakes, indicative of their alluvial plain geography. Interestingly, some unexpected states show significant wetland areas. For example, Rajasthan, despite being largely arid, has a substantial wetland area (778,824 ha), primarily composed of rivers/streams, reservoirs, and tanks/ponds. This underscores the critical importance of water bodies in this water-scarce region. The data also reveals the human impact on wetlands. Many states show significant areas under man-made water bodies like reservoirs and tanks. Additionally, the presence of aquaculture ponds, particularly in coastal states like Andhra Pradesh (129,358 ha) and West Bengal (66,866 ha), indicates the economic utilization of wetlands.
It’s noteworthy that some smaller states and union territories like Sikkim, Mizoram, and Chandigarh have relatively small wetland areas, which is expected given their size and geography. However, they still contribute to the overall wetland diversity of the country. This comprehensive wetland distribution has profound implications for biodiversity conservation, water resource management, and climate change mitigation in India. The varied types of wetlands across different states necessitate region-specific conservation and management strategies to preserve these crucial ecosystems.
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