ANNOUNCEMENTS
Wetlands ecosystems are some of the most productive and biologically diverse regions as they provide many important services to human society and are home to a wide range of flora and fauna. The wetlands in Chouldhari and Ograbraj are among the many wetland regions in South Andaman to become rich ecosystems supporting dense mangroves and have become important habitats to a variety of avian species after their formation preceding the 2004 tsunami. However, as a result of not being historical wetlands, these areas that are privately owned and governed under the regulations of a revenue land, become vulnerable to multiple development pressures. This study aims to study the socio-ecological significance of these wetlands to make a case for formal recognition of these areas as wetlands, adequate regulations for conservation and the institutional mechanisms to protect ecologically significant areas from development pressures. The study follows the Convention on Biological Diversity’s framework for the methodology which uses mixed method approach. The study found that the wetlands have various uses to different stakeholders as well as being ecologically important to biodiversity. Therefore, not recognized as historical wetlands formally under revenue department jurisdiction, conservation of these ecosystems are complex matters which require an intersectional approach keeping in mind all aspects of socio-economic, cultural and ecological value.
Keywords– Wetlands, Andamans, valuation, 2004 tsunami, governance.
