Sustainable city around Indian Alpine Wetland: A case of Mirik Lake, West Bengal

Abstract

The high-altitude lake systems of the Himalayas in Kashmir and Ladakh have unique variations in their water chemistry and fauna and flora. In the eastern Himalaya a number of small and medium wetland site occur in Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh, Assam and Manipur. The lower foothills and duras area of the eastern Himalaya abound numerous beels and shaurs (shallow marshes with tall weed vegetation). Some aspects of the problems are faced by the wetlands of the hilly areas of North East. In West Bengal tourism map Mirik Lake has been included as a unique wetland having wide biodiversity and natural aesthetic beauty. Characteristically, Mirik Lake is a manmade wetland situated in valley in circle by hill ridges with extensive natural drainage network. Unfortunately, Mirik Lake is subjected to manmade pollution resulting in deterioration in water quality. In recent years efforts have been taken for abatement of pollution of the lake through diversion and treatment of sewage/sullage. Proper attention need to be paid by the concern authority for the conservation of the Mirik Lake. People should be aware and motivated so as to participate in the Mirik Lake conservation programme. The present paper examines the main sources of the threat and goes through the appropriate management strategy to mitigate this problem. Here Hydrologic Modelling System was used to estimate the present and future water availability of Mirik Lake by keeping all hydrological-related parameters. Water quality status of both present and future contexts was analysed and performed using artificial neural network.