Field Report on Mudialy Fishermens Cooperative Society Limited Nature Park (Taratala road, kolkata)

Gagan Kumar | ID4114 | November 17, 2013 09MS092

Introduction
The Mudiyali Fishermens Co-operative Society is a wetland area in south-western fringe of Kolkata, choked with water hyacinth utilized by Kolkata port commissioner for dumping garbage, which used to be a 250ha. Of water area in 1950s was known as port commissioners jheel. Later in 1956 efforts towards pisciculture began. In 1961, November Fishermens Cooperative Society named Mudiyali Fishermens Cooperative Society got the water area on liscence from the Port Commissioner who retained the right to take back any portion of waterbody for developing purpose. Later in 1988, by exercising this right the area of the waterbody was reduced to 250ha. at present. The co-operative society has build up a Nature park comprising the greenery of waterbodies, enclosures for deer, rabbit, peacock,varities of migratory and local birds etc. such water body and greenery so near to the congestion of the city like Kolkata has immense value in preserving the environment. Apart from Development of Fishery co-operative the society has planted more than one Lakh saplings, It is an established fact that plant one hectare landed area takes yearly 3.6 tons CO2 from the air and leaves 2.5 tones O2 in the air. On the other hand one hectare water area full of phytoplankton takes maximum 36 tons CO2 from the air and leaves 25 tones O2 in the air which is nearly about 10 times than that plant of equal area.

History of the park

It is in the south western fringe of Kolkata and about 7 k.m. away from the heart of the city. There used to be a 250ha.of water area which way back 1950s was known as port Commissioners Jheel. It was water logged waste land choked with water hyacinth utilized by Kolkata port Commissioner for dumping garbage. In 1956, some people got their license from the Calcutta port Commissioner and gave some effort towards Pisciculture. It was a dock area and it used to be flooded with polluted waste water from the city and from local industrial complex and then it was releasing into the Ganges River. In November 1961 Fishermens Co- operative society was registered this place as Mudialy Fishermens Co operative Society Ltd. Then they got the license to develop the water quality of that area. Then in 1985 the society reclaimed with the permission of C.P.T that they derelict the entire water area and then make as a culture able condition by spending huge investment of with financial assistance from fish farmers development agency under World bank aided inland fisheries project. The co operative Society has build up this Nature

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Park comprising the greenery of the water bodies. This area attracts varieties of migratory and local birds. such water body and greenery so near to the congested city like Kolkata has immense value in preserving the environment. The plantation is more than 1 lakh sapling. It is an established fact that plant one hectare landed area takes yearly 3.6 tons CO2 from the atmosphere and leaves 2.5 tones O2 to air. On the other hand one hectare water area full of phytoplankton takes maximum 36tones of CO2 from air and leaves 25 tones O2 to air which is 10 times more than plant of equal area.

Treatment of industrial sewage

MFCS use an indigenous method of cleaning waste of heavy metal and other pollutants. The garden enriched with various types of large scale industrial units. The society treats those industrial sewage and utilize the same for Pisciculture, in this way they protect the Environment from pollution in the greater interests.

Future aspects of the park

But, the situation has been changing over the years; the port authorities have reduced the area under MFCS, selling it to various industries. If the 82.5 ha patch is taken away, not only the fishers will lose their livelihood, but the 14 million-plus city will lose a biodiversity hot spot that processes wastewater for free. Since, this is an important lesson in conservation of the East Kolkata Wetlands, we all who love the mother nature and wish to work together for the benefit of human kind and secure the losing environment should come together and act hand by hand.

Birds resting on trees after having their lunch (fish) from the lake

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