Uploaded on 2017-03-13 by Rukmini Mukherjee

In the newly developed area of Rajarhat, in the eastern region of Kolkata, the built environment is encroaching into the existing ecosystem, hampering the services they provide. There are 4 kinds of ecological services: 1) Provisioning services: The east Kolkata wetlands provide a major chunk of ecosystem services in Rajarhat, responsible for providing food, fresh water, fish, wood and biofuel. They play a major role in controlling the ground water level and water purification. 2) Regulating services: The wetlands affect local climate and air quality, remove greenhouse gases, help in flood water management and filter both human and animal waste, while maintaining soil fertility and biological control. 3) Habitat services: The east Kolkata wetlands are a destination for many migratory birds and have a variety of flora and fauna, maintaining genetic diversity. 4) Cultural services: A part of the wetlands have been recently developed into a recreational area (called Eco-Park), which has turned into a major tourism hub for the city.