ANNOUNCEMENTS
Over the last few years, climate change and urbanization have resulted in many environmental issues and caused a significant impact on the communities in urban areas, especially the economically vulnerable class. This study focuses on impacts of unsustainable urbanisation and climate change on wetlands with a case study of Arthala lake situated in Ghaziabad. The main objective of the study is to understand the impact of urbanization on wetlands and how communities are impacted in the process. The study also tends to explore the perception of common people on climate change and how it impacts them. A comparison of land use land cover change was done for the years 2005 and 2015 for the Ghaziabad district. There is a sharp increase in the urban built-up area in Ghaziabad district that can be seen with the ongoing encroachment of the Arthala lake. Encroachment and wastewater disposal with increase in temperature over the Arthala lake has resulted in degradation of the lake. Bioremediating the lake is recommended as one of the possible solutions to revive Arthala lake. The importance of wetlands explored in the study should be considered by policymakers in discussion regarding mitigating the climate change and combating desertification.
Keywords: Wetlands, Climate Change, Urbanisation, Bioremediation, Wetland Communities
