INTERNATIONAL SEMINAR ON WETLANDS AND SUSTAINABILITY 2007

FOOD PLANTS, WEEDS AND OTHER MANAGEMENT ASPECTS OF

PROTECTED WETLANDS IN UTTAR PRADESH, NORTHERN INDIA

Kaushalendra Kumar Jha 1

Chief Conservator of Forests
UP Forest Department, Lucknow, India

jhakk1959@rediffmail.com, jhakk1959@gmail.com

Abstract

One of the northern states of India, Uttar Pradesh, is situated in the south of
Himalaya along the Indo-Nepal Border. This state is divided into three zones,
landscape wise. Tarai-landscape and Vindhyan-bundelkhand landscape primarily
possess the moist deciduous forests and dry deciduous forests, respectively.
Gangetic plain forms the agriculture dominant landscape and is situated between
these two forested landscapes. There are plenty of wetlands scattered through out
this plain. Out of several recorded wetlands 12 are declared as Protected Areas.
Under the provisions of Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972, these protected wetlands are
declared Wildlife (Bird) Sanctuaries for the sole purpose of conservation of wildlife.
These Wetlands (Wildlife Sanctuaries) were surveyed for the presence of food plants
and weed species. The local experts were consulted for collection of relevant
information on plants and animals. Direct observation was made on phenology of
plants. Presence of birds in the sanctuary was also recorded.
Different categories of birds, local as well as migratory, residing in these
sanctuaries are Storks, Ibis, Egrets, Herons (wading), Pintail, Wigeon, Gadwall,
Shoveller, Common teal, Brahmny duck, Coot, Pochard, Comb duck (dabbling) and
Darter, King fisher, Tern (diving) etc. Some of the important fish species are
Cirrhinus mrigla, Channa punctatus, C. marulius, Clarias batracus, Heteropneustes
fossilis, Mystas cavaceus, Wallago attu etc. Red Data Book species of the Bird
sanctuaries are greater spotted eagle, swamp francolin, Bengal florican, sarus crane,
Dalmatian pelican, Indian skimmer, bristled grass warbler, yellow weaver, Palla’s sea
eagle etc. These birds mainly survive on the plant species which form the part of
wetland.

1
Correspondence: Regional Manager, UP Forest Corporation, 21/475, Indira Nagar, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India
226016
 INTERNATIONAL SEMINAR ON WETLANDS AND SUSTAINABILITY 2007

Major food plant species are Azolla pinnata, Spirodela polyrhiza, Wolffia globosa,
Jussiaea repens,Nymphea pubescens, Nelumbo nucifera, Nymphoides
indica,Solanum nigrum, Trapa natans bispinosa, Najas major, Potamogeton
amplifolius, Potamogeton nodosus, Ceratophyllum demersum, Hydrilla verticillata,
Polygonum limbatum, Ipomea aquatica, Eliocharis dulcis, Cyperus alocuroides,
Neptunic oleracea, Oryza rufipogon, Evolvulus alsinoides. However, the useful plants
in these wetlands are facing threat of being replaced by certain weeds (Calotropis
procera, Ipomea carnea, Eicchornia crassipes, Oryza rufipogon, Cyperus alulatus,
Limnophyton obtusifolium, Pistia stratiotes). Both the types of plants fall in the
category of marginal, emergent, submerged and floating hydrophytes. Some of the
important terrestrial weeds found in the close vicinity of the wetlands are Argemone
mexicana.Parthenium hysterophorus, Ageratum conyzoides, Cannabis sativa and
Cassia tora.

The objectives in these Wetlnads are to protect and preserve the habitat, plants and
animals (predominantly birds). Therefore, the management emphasis is on the
issues related to maintenance of habitat; ensure availability of food plants and, of
course, eradication of weeds if any. Among other management activities are
promotion of ecodevelopment and ecotourism, control on illegal killing and trapping
of birds and fishes. As the part of habitat improvement, landscape of the wetland is
managed in such a way that heronries are increased by tree planting. Tree planting
is also done at the shore to contain the population of otherwise harmful hydrophytes.
Restricted walking trails are provided to the human visitors to reduce the disturbance
to the birds. Ecodevelopment works in the vicinity are effective in reducing the
pressure on wetland resources. As weed eradication strategy, manual cleaning of
the water body was done. Silt removal indirectly helped in eradication of the
propagules of harmful species. These management efforts showed positive impacts
on the conservation.

Key words:

1
Correspondence: Regional Manager, UP Forest Corporation, 21/475, Indira Nagar, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India
226016