The document summarizes information about the Behula Wetland located in Malda District, West Bengal, India. It describes the wetland's location, land uses over time (1975 vs. 2014), biological characteristics, and how local communities utilize the wetland's resources. The wetland provides important ecosystem services like water supply, fishing, agriculture, and habitat. However, it also faces threats like sediment deposition from human activities that are degrading the wetland over time.

1. Benefits of Wetland and Its Well –
being Supports
: A Review on Behula Wetland
of Malda District
SUSANTA MAHATO
M. Sc. (3rd SEMESTER)
UNIVERSITY OF GOUR BANGA

2. What is a
“Wetland”

3. Wetlands are areas where the water table is at or near the surface of the
land, or where the land is covered by shallow water. The Ramsar
Convention defines wetlands as:
"areas of marsh, fen, peatland or water, whether natural or
artificial, permanent or temporary, with water that is static or
flowing, fresh, brackish or salt, including areas of marine water
the depth of which at low tide does not exceed six metres".
They include the rivers, lakes, coastal lagoons, mangroves, peatlands, fens,
bogs and coral reefs, in addition to man-made wetlands that includes fish
and shrimp ponds, ponds, irrigated agricultural land, salt pans, reservoirs,
canals, sewage farms, etc. Wetlands are amongst the most productive
ecosystems, that are valuable as sources, sinks, and transformers of a
multitude of chemical, biological, and genetic materials. They support high
concentrations of birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians, fish and
invertebrate species.

4. The Value of Wetland Functions
Wetland Functions
1. Recharge of ground water
2. Discharge of ground water
3. Water quality control
4. Retention, removal and
transformation of nutrients
5. Habitat for aquatic species
Economic goods and services
1. Increased water quantity
2. Increased productivity of
downstream fisheries
3. Reduced costs of water
purification
4. Reduced costs of water
purification
5. Improvements in
commercial and
recreational fisheries.

5. STUDY AREA
There are two municipalities in Malda district and they are
English Bazar Municipality and Old Malda Municipality
respectively. Among them the wetland is situated in ward
no. 3 of Old Malda Municipality popularly named as
‘Behula Wetland’ is selected for study of Wetland.
Wetland Latitude
( 0N)
Longitude
( 0E)
Block Mouza J.L.No. Sheet no.
Behula
Wetland
25003'05"
-
25003'35"
8807'15"
-
8808'43"
Old
Malda
Sarbari
&
Balia
98
&
97
1
-

6. In the north side of
the wetland there is
Sujapur,
in the North West
there is Nababganj
in the West there is
Mahananda River,
in the south there is
Sarbari,
in the East there is
Moktipur and
in the north east
there is Kaluberia.
LOCATION

7. PLOT DISTRIBUTION OF BEHULA WETLAND
Behula wetland is situated in
both “Sarbari” mouza and
“Balia” mouza.
Eastern part - “Sarbari” mouza
western part -“Balia” mouza
Total area of wetland - 588483.1
sq.metre.
The smallest plot - plot no. 78
(90.9 sq.metre)located in the
eastern part of the wetland of
Sarbari mouza.
The largest plot - plot no.41
(38438.99 sq. metre)located in
the middle of the wetland of
Balia mouza.

8. OWNERSHIP
• The total wetland is under the ownership of the
Old Malda Municipality. The wetland is
divided into four sections. The authority give
the license of pisciculture by calling tender and
the whole work is done in the basis of
agreement.

9. OBJECTIVES
• changing land use pattern of Behula wetland.
• To find the direct and indirect resource
availability.
• To identify the problems and potentialities of
Behula wetland.

10. DATA BASE
The whole work done by primary data collection method.
For this purpose generally some questions are arrenged. The
questionnaire is designed so as to collect all the information
about wetland and wetland resources.
Data type Source Purpose
Primary data Field survey For knowing Wetland Condition
(Present & Past Both),Influence
on Surrounding Area, on People,
on Wildlife by Wetland.
Secondary data D.L.L.R. office, Malda district
collectorate office ,Google
Earth, Google maps.
Collecting of Cadastral
map(1975) of Sarbari & Balia
mouza for Spatial mapping of
Wetland, Showing land use
pattern etc.

11. METHODOLOGY
Technique types Name of the technique Purpose
GIS Georeferencing,
Digitization
Land use map of Behula
wetland(1975, 2014)
Statistical technique Simple percentage
method
To conversion of absolute
area of wetlands into
percentage area.
Cartographic techniques Pie graph To show the mango
spices concentration in
two sides of the wetland.

12. GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS
• Urban wetland :
As the Behula Wetland is under of a urban area, it holds some
different features than any other else.
• Wetland status : Permanent
• Water source : Behula river, precipitation.
• Water Quality :
The quality of the water of Behula Wetland is comparatively
better than any other wetland.The quality of the water is quiet
good and fresh too as it is connected with the Behula river.The
color of the water is pretty whities.

13. RELIEF CONDITION

14. CONNECTION WITH RIVER
Behula Wetland is connected with Behula River. The North East
part of the Behula Wetland is connected with the river Behula.

15. In the This map the
landuse pattern of Behula
Wetland in 1975 has been
given. There are mango
trees in both side of the
wetland.
Agricultural land has
developed near the water
and rest of land kept as
fallow. Some part of
fallow land use for
grazing.

16. LAND USE AREA (IN SQ. METRE)
AGRICULTURAL LAND 23548.403
SETTLEMENT 13346.1
WET LAND 103555.894
BUSH 108196.043
GRAZING LAND 9810.95
MANGO GROOVES 142629.74
FALLOW LAND 150444.77
PALM TREES 36915.2
LAND USE OF BEHULA WETLAND
(1975)
AGRICULTURAL LAND
SETTLEMENT
WET LAND
BUSH
GRAZING LAND
MANGO GROOVES
FALLOW LAND
PALM TREES

17. There is massive change in
Behula Wetland in the 2014
as comparison to 1975.Brick
klin (plot no -38 and 39),
has been developed in the
northern side. Railway play
ground (plot no 46) and
Behula Sishu Uddan (plot
no-45)was established at
some place. The settlement
of that place is growing up
rapidly after the area
included in Old Malda
Municipality. Area of fallow
land has been decreasing
due to human settlement on
the western side of fallow
land.

18. LAND USE OF BEHULA WETLAND
(2014) AGRICULTURAL LAND
SETTLEMENT
WET LAND
BUSH
GRAZING LAND
MANGO GROOVES
FALLOW LAND
PLAY GROUND
PRIMARY SCHOOL
BEHULA PARK
BRICK KLIM
PALM,MANGO TREES
LAND USE AREA (IN SQ. METRE)
AGRICULTURAL LAND 35548.403
SETTLEMENT 144243.491
WET LAND 103555.894
BUSH 8791.52
GRAZING LAND 2741.363
MANGO GROOVES 152629.74
FALLOW LAND 69231.179
PLAY GROUND 1910.982
PRIMARY SCHOOL 1249.379
BEHULA PARK 688.479
BRICK KLIM 30977.48
PALM,MANGO TREES 36915.2

19. AGRICULTURAL LAND
6%
SETTLEMENT
25%
WET LAND
18%
BUSH
2%
GRAZING LAND
0%
MANGO GROOVES
26%
FALLOW LAND
12%
PLAY GROUND
0%
PRIMARY SCHOOL
0%
BEHULA PARK
0%
BRICK KLIM
5%
PALM,MANGO
TREES
6%
LAND USE (2014)
AGRICULTURAL
LAND
4% SETTLEMENT
2%
WET LAND
18%
BUSH
18%
GRAZING LAND
2%
MANGO GROOVES
24%
FALLOW LAND
26%
PALM TREES
6%
LAND USE (1975)

20. CONVERSION LAND USE IN BEHULA WETLAND
Land use 1975 2014
Wetland 37,41,36,251,14,46 37,41,36,251,14,46
Agricultural Land 43,179,104,107,10 43,179,104,107,11,10,44,24,23,25,26,20,36,41,32
Settlement 102,62,65,64,63,58,60,59,69,
93,100,99,94,91,89,77,85,87,
96,95,98,97,84,83,82,81,80,
79,78,76,75,73,72,71
64,65,58,102,52,62,61,65,64,63,58,66,59,60,69,93,
92,100,99,94,91,89,77,85,86,87,96,95,98,97,84,83,
82,81,80,79,78,76,75,73,72,71,43,31,28,29,30,27,6
6,50,57,53,59,43,49,151,147,52,51,146,150,154,14
2,141,139,136,143,118,160,128,143,145,253,149
Mango Grooves 175,42,176,177,153,15,16,17,18,24,23,25,26,20,36,
39,32,162,163,138,139,161,163,,47,48
175,42,176,177,9,5,153,15,12,16,17,18,39,162,163
,138,139,161,163,47,48
Fallow land 38,39,64,65,58,44,2,6,105,3,103,5,4,156,12,11,61,6
7,66,68,74,44,45,19,22,43,37,35,28,29,30,42,34,38,
33,27,137,66,50,57,53,59,43,49,151,147,52,51,146,
150,154,142,141,139,136,143,118,160
44,2,6,105,3,4,156,68,74,19,22,43,37,35,42,34,38,
33,37
Grazing Land 103,13,52 13
Palm trees 178 --
Bush 8,9,46,43,31 8
Primary School -- 46
Behula Park -- 45

21. GOODS AND SERVICES
• WATER SUPPLY:
There is always sufficient supply of water in the wetland as it is
connected with the river.The water is stored in besides of Reservoir by
the Micro check dam. This water is used in many ways like
agriculture,piciculture,domestic regular work etc.
• WATER RECHARGE:
There is highly recharge of water in the wetland as it is connected
with Behula River.
• WATER STORAGE:
The water made by the Micro Check dam is stoned in the Reservoir.
• CO2 ABSORPTION:
50% area of the wetland is covered by mango and other trees.As a
result the quality of co2 has increased from urban area. But a good and
certain amount of co2 has absorped by those trees in the wetland.

22. BIOLAOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS
1. FLORA:
Many kind of vegetables are gathered from both side of wetland which is
daily food to local people. Water hyacinth grown up on wetland water.
Local name Scientific name
Kulekhara(hygrophila spinosa) hygrophila auriculate
Thankuni(Indian pennywort) centella asiatica
Helencha(marsh herb) enhydra fluctuans
Kolmi(water spinach) ipomoea aquatica
Kochuripana (water hyacinth) eichhornia crassipes

23. 2. FAUNA:
Wetland is highly bio-diversified. Wetland is ingredient of bio-diversity. The
animal world of Behula Wetland is-
Local name Scientific name
Ghass foring schistocerca gregaria
Jalaj samuk lamellidens margiralis
Bok ardeola grayii
Pan kouri phalacrocorax fussicollis
Foring papilionidae sp.

24. PEOPLE’S PARTICIPATION
1. MICRO CHECK DAM
Two Micro check dam are made just in the south and south east part of the
wetland from Municipality respectively. It control the overflow of the wetland.
There is a huge water reservoir just after the particular check dam and its water
is used for irrigation.

25. 2. FISHING
Wet area is divided into 4 parts by Municipality to give tender
for fish production.There four parts are-
Parts of wetland Plot no.
1st part 14
2nd part 251
3rd part 41,38,37
4th part 1,108
Different kinds of fish eggs are relearned in the water of
Wetlands. For this reason all kind of fishes are get throughout
the year.
The amount of paenenus monodon fish become low and
knifetooth saw fish is totally wiped off.

26. Fish Local name Scientific name Premonsoon Monsoon
Rui labio rohita √ √
Katla catla catla √ √
Singi heteropenuste fossillis √ √
Tangra mystus vittatus × √
Silver cup hypophthalmicthyes
molitris
√ √

27. Boal wallage attu × √
Chingri paeneus monodon × √
Chada pamur argenteus √ √
Puti oreochomic sp. √ √
Shol ophiocenphalus
striatus
× √

28. 3. AGRICULTURE
Naturally agricultural are grown up near the wet area.Irrigation is not
interrupted due to high amount of water store up throughout the year.
Agricultural activites are done in the plot of 10,11,44,43,179 etc no.
Paddy is cultivated at rainy season, Mustard plant and “Datha sag” are
cultivated winter season.

29. 4. MANGO GARDEN
Mango
trees
Left side of
the
wetland
(%)
Right side
of the
wetland
(%)
Amrapali 10 10
Khissa pati 18 60
Fajli 40 20
Lakhnah 10 5
Gopal
bhog
20 3
Other 2 2

30. 5. SETTELMENT:
Settlement in this area has been increasing as it is under of municipality
authority. Increasing the population day by day in old malda,the settlement area
increases as well.
6.BRICK KLIN:
Brick klin (plot no -38 and 39), has been developed in the northern side of the
Behula wetland.

31. Wetland services and Human Well-being
Services
1. Food
2. Fresh water
3. Climate regulation
Comment
1. production of fish, fruits,
and grains
2. storage and retention of
water for domestic and
agricultural use
3. influence local and regional
temperature, precipitation,
and other climatic
processes
Wetland ecosystem provide many services that contribute human well-
being. Some group of people, particularly those living near wetland, are
highly dependent on these services.

32. Wetland services and Human Well-being
Services
4. Water regulation
5. Water purification and
waste treatment
6. Soil formation
7. Nutrient cycling
Comment
4. groundwater recharge/discharge
5. retention, recovery, and removal of
excess nutrients and other
pollutants
6. sediment retention and
accumulation of organic matter
7. storage, recycling, processing, and
acquisition of nutrients
In the case of Behula wetland, two most important wetland ecosystem
services affecting the human well-being involve fish supply and water
availability.

33. DEGRADATION OF WETLAND
1. SEDIMENT DEPOSITION :
Now a days lots of sediment has entered in Behula Wetland from the river
Behula and it has made Deposition. This deposition has been increasing
day by day and it is not so good sign for the environment the authority
shared think about it seriously.

34. 2. WATER QUALITY LOSS:
There are lots of chemicals which has been used for piciculture,spoile the own
fundamental qualities of the water of the wetland.
3. SETTLEMENT ENCHROCHMENT :
Settlement in this area has been increasing as it is under of municipality
authority. This is influence to degrade the wetland.
4. INCREASING MANGO GARDEN:
Mangoes have been cultivated plantually in a huge part of the wetland and
consequently, the wetland area has been decreasing slowly.
5. AREA LOSS:
Wet land is shrinking by it size due to urbanization. Settlement are
increasing,mango garden and agricultural land are widening up, which are the
main cause for area loose of wet land.

35. BEHULA WETLAND POLUTION
1. WASTE FROM BRICK KLIN:
There is made huge wastage in the processing process of
producing bricks in brick klim.Those wastage have thrown into
the wetland which cause of water pollution. As a result, the
quality of the water have been becoming worse as days
progresses.
2. URBAN WASTAGE:
As the wetland is situated in the urban area,the wastage made by
the people of urban area has thrown into the wetland.

36. 1. The wetland produced many important services like ground water
recharge, water storage etc. Morley, there has been found several flora
spices. Various fauna spices are also available in the wetland which proves
it is nothing but a biodivesified area. Wetland ecosystem provide many
services that contribute human well-being. Some group of people,
particularly those living near wetland, are highly dependent on these
services.
2. Behula wetland has been providing a good financial life. The people of
the area has been able to live a healthy economic life by the medium of
fishing, agriculture, mango production etc.
3. Fish production in the wetland is an important economic service. The
wetland divided into few section and license to pisciculture is given on the
basis of agreement. Due to the agreement with rich fisherman, the local
people deprived from direct economic service of wetland. Besides that the
fish production activity controlled by the rich people. Hence the poor
MAJOR FINDINGS

37. MAJOR FINDINGS
4. The fallow land of the wetland has been converted into settlement
which is quiet notable. Moreover, the settlement has been increased
by the pressure of the population day by day. Total area of the
wetland is going to decrease gradually due to the extension of mango
garden.
5. The wetland has been degraded by the deposition of sediment,
comes naturally from the river. Moreover, the settlement has been
increased anthropogenic ally. The particular purpose of fishing
causes the degradation of the water quality of the wetland. The loss
and degradation of wetland will reduce the capacity of wetland that
impacts and result in further reduction in human well- being.

38. CONCLUSION
Behula wetland has been providing a good economic baseline
support to the surrounding areas economy. Many fields of services
provides that people are enjoying several direct and indirect resources
but degradation of wetland decrease the effectiveness of Behula
wetland. The value of preserving wetland can be approximated using
estimates of how much will it cost to society to artificially provide
those goods and services that wetland provide. The only way to save
the quality of wetland is by increasing the general awareness among
the authority and the people of the locality. The condition of the
wetland of Behula represents the condition of the district as well as
state’s wetlands. Now a days it is very necessary to take the
conservation strategy of all pointable wetland as well as Behula
wetland.