I. Wetlands in crisis

Wetlands in crisis: many of these biodiversity hotspots have disappeared. Almost all are severely contaminated

In the last 10 years, 38 per cent of India's inland wetlands have vanished; in some districts, the figure is as high as 88 per cent. Fish samples collected by the Salim Ali Centre for Ornithology and Natural History (SACON) from wetlands in 14 states indicate that there is large-scale contamination by deadly pesticides and heavy metals. In fact, this nationwide study by SACON found pesticide and heavy metal contamination in fish of virtually every wetland in the county. This study is important to understand the issues connected to both wetlands as well as contamination of our water bodies.

Resource people who could provide more information:

a. Dr V S Vijayan, Director, Salim Ali Centre for Ornithology and Natural History (SACON), Anaikatty,
PO Coimbatore- 641 108, Ph 0422-2657103-05, 98431 31230 (mobile), Fax 0422-2657088,
E-mail salimali@vsnl.com

b. Dr Muralitharan, Head, Laboratory, SACON, Ph 0422-2657103-05, Fax 0422-2657088,
E-mail ecot_mur@yahoo.com. Dr Muralitharan has worked on the SACON study on pesticide contamination of inland wetlands.

Appeared in Media Alert 4, March 7, 2005