14/08/2025
🌿 Rotary Club of Greater Calcutta Wetland Conservation Awareness 🌿 12th August, 2025 , Oxford Book Store, Park Street, Kolkata, 6 PM
Rotary Greater Calcutta recognized the urgent need to address the conservation of wetlands, particularly the East Kolkata Wetlands, to mitigate the looming risk of a water crisis and its devastating impact on human health.
In pursuit of this mission, we partnered with INTACH. Mr. G. M. Kapur, State Convenor for the West Bengal and Calcutta Chapters of INTACH, has chaired its Chapters Advisory Committee and has been associated with the organisation since its inception in 1984. His inspired decision to bring together eminent voices gave the event both depth and direction.
The distinguished speakers included:
Dr. Jayanta Sen — Geomorphologist, wildlife photographer, social activist, heritage enthusiast, and an educationist for over 30 years at a Government School. With more than 30 publications on geomorphic features (especially the Garhbeta Badlands) and over 60 projects executed across Agriculture, Forest, Irrigation & Waterways, Wetland Management, and INTACH, Dr. Sen brought deep expertise and perspective to the discussion.
Ms. Swarnali Chattopadhya — National Award-winning teacher, social worker, wildlife photographer, and heritage enthusiast. As Secretary of the Purono Kolkatar Golpo Society and a GIS analyst, she has also executed more than 60 projects across similar fields. Both Jayanta and Swarnali are co-authors of works on Himalayan Birds and African Wildlife, further underlining their deep engagement with ecology and biodiversity.
While Swarnali Chattopadhya inspired awareness and community action, Dr. Jayanta Sen highlighted the practical challenges and underscored the critical importance of wetland preservation. Their concerns were especially urgent given the pathetic state of the East Kolkata Wetlands today.
Once recognized as a Ramsar site of international importance, the wetlands — serve as the natural kidneys of Kolkata, recycling nearly 900 million litres of wastewater every day. Yet, despite this ecological and economic value, the EKW is being rapidly degraded by uncontrolled urban sprawl, illegal landfills, real estate encroachments, and industrial effluents.
Jayanta cautioned that the loss of these wetlands directly heightens the risk of severe water scarcity and recurrent urban flooding. With wetlands disappearing, rainwater has fewer natural channels to percolate, overwhelming Kolkata’s already strained drainage system. Moreover, unchecked dumping and pollution have turned several stretches into cesspools, threatening aquatic life, migratory birds, and the livelihoods of thousands of fishermen and farmers who depend on this fragile ecosystem.
The speakers emphasized that if immediate conservation measures are not taken, Kolkata could face an irreversible ecological collapse — from drinking water shortages to public health disasters caused by contaminated water. Protecting the wetlands, therefore, is not a matter of environmental idealism but a public health and survival necessity.
We extend our heartfelt gratitude to Oxford Bookstores and Ms. Ritleena Sen, Senior Executive, PR & Events, Oxford Bookstores, whose tireless efforts ensured the smooth ex*****on of this impactful event. Finally, a special thanks to our engaged audience — members from Rotary International ,including Past District Governors, INTACH, CEMO, and many friends of the cause — whose presence made the gathering truly meaningful. Without you, the event would have been incomplete. 🙏
