ANNOUNCEMENTS
The continued expansion of the human population and the growth of their per capita consumption have resulted in an unsustainable exploitation of the biological diversity present on the planet Earth. Effective strategies of conservation are vital to the survival of the human species. Safeguarding the biodiversity habitats including wildlife sanctuaries, national parks and biosphere reserves plays a crucial role here. Successful approaches of conservation require adequate investment directed towards restoring these areas. On the contrary, these protected areas are at various stages of degradation due to development and anthropogenic pressures.
The Okhla Bird Sanctuary is one such example of a protected area. Tremendous anthropogenic pressure over the years in the form of increasing development activities and pollution discharge in the wetland has led to higher level of pollutants in the water-body and a decline in the number of the bird species. In this study, we conduct an opportunity cost analysis of restricting the activities that are posing threat to the wetland and the sanctuary. The opportunity cost is combined with the infrastructural costs of restoring the water quality of the wetland. The study found out an opportunity cost of INR 5,192 crores at 2020 prices along with the technical costs of curbing the pollution in the wetland. The unauthorized colonies and the industries are responsible for the discharge of the untreated wastewater into the wetland. Thus, the solution is to regulate the effluent released by these units along with preventing any future construction in the vicinity of the sanctuary.
Key words: Biodiversity restoration, ecological sensitivity, opportunity costs, water pollution.
