Anthropogenic Impacts on Wetlands of Kerala, India: A Review of Literature

Abstract

Kerala is blessed with numerous wetlands including rivers, streams, mangroves, backwaters, estuaries, canals, paddy fields, reservoirs, lakes and ponds. Wetlands are an integral part of the state and they endow man with numerous ecosystem services like purification of water, provision of food, flood protection, shoreline stabilization, support to biodiversity, recharge of underground water etc. At present wetlands are under threat as they are victims of population pressure, rapid urbanization and negligent land use pattern. Wetlands of Kerala have become polluted, fragmented and reclaimed for other purposes. If this trend continues, man is endangering not only humans but also other creatures on earth. Scientists and environmental conservationists realized the importance of wetlands and have studied the adverse effects of human activities on wetlands and have also suggested mitigation measures to conserve these fragile ecosystems. This paper is a review of published literature on the anthropogenic impacts on wetlands of Kerala and measures for their conservation.