Technical
1. WWF-India along with their technical partners (IIT-Kanpur and consultants) conducted a comprehensive assessment of wetlands in the Ramganga basin, including their degradation and groundwater conditions. This analysis led to the prioritization of wetlands for restoration. The Aril River basin was selected as a pilot project for demonstrating river-wetland co-management. A collaborative approach led by the district administration and coordinated by WWF-India has participation from various government departments, the District Ganga Committee, riparian communities and farmers. This joint initiative led to improvement in the ecological health of the river.
2. Spatio-temporal mapping of the Aril basin indicated that about 60% of wetlands were in a degraded state. Based on the wetland’s status and connectivity to river floodplains, 20 plus wetlands were field surveyed to collect baseline information which indicated that there are several major threats to the wetlands including excess weed growth, siltation, choked inlets/outlets, sewage inflow, fragmentation, intensive chemical usage in agriculture, LULC changes in the catchment, to ownerships.
3. Using a prioritization matrix three floodplain wetlands were selected viz. Khangawa Shyam (10.6 hectares (ha), Lilaur Lake (42 ha), and Bahoda Kheda (7.42 ha) in Bareilly district for taking up the restoration activities. These wetlands were prioritized based on their ecosystem services and biodiversity values/potential.
4. Topographic surveys of wetlands and their catchments were also conducted to map catchment characteristics (slope, siltation, volumes, etc)
Multi-Stakeholder Engagement
1. Comprehensive baseline surveys were conducted through engagement with riparian communities, and line departments to assess the existing status of the wetlands, including biodiversity, eco-hydrological health, ecosystem services, ownership, management regimes and threats.
2. A wetland restoration plan was co-developed through engagement and discussions with all key stakeholders, focusing on addressing threats such as degraded inlets/outlets, invasive weeds, catchment fragmentation, pollution, solid waste, and siltation.
3. A multi-stakeholder approach was adopted, involving the District Administration Bareilly, WWF-India, government departments, representatives from five villages, and over 500 community members under the ‘Aril Mitra platform to spread awareness and enhance community participation in restoration activities.
4. Community members were trained in sustainable agriculture practices to reduce negative impacts on wetland and river health through improved management practices, reduced chemical inputs, water usage, and adoption of organic inputs in agriculture. Mitras also contributed to restoration activities like channel rehabilitation, de-weeding, and wetland health monitoring.
Institutional and governance
1. The district administration and government departments provided essential administrative support for conservation activities. Synergies were established with government schemes like MNREGA to facilitate restoration efforts, such as desilting and channel rehabilitation.
2. Eight new inlets were created, and four inlet channels were rehabilitated to improve water flow from the catchment into the wetlands and Aril River. To enhance the ecological health of the wetlands, as a proof-of-concept, water hyacinth removal was conducted in a two-hectare area, where 2500 quintals of wet weed were removed. The deweeded invasives were converted into organic compost for use by local farmers. Several awareness and community mobilization activities were conducted to promote conservation efforts.
3. As part of impact assessment, the change in wetland’s hydrological and ecological health was monitored, where communities were also trained on monitoring of water quality, and groundwater levels as part of their empowerment through citizen science.