# I. Introduction etland ecosystems are crucial to our natural wealth. They provide us with services worth trillions of US dollars every year entirely free of charge making a vital contribution to human health and well being (Ramsar Convention, 1971). Wetlands are one of the most productive ecosystems of the world which along with supporting unique flora and fauna provides range of ecosystem services (MA, 2005). Wetland ecosystems contribute to reducing disaster risk by serving as natural protective barriers or buffers and thus mitigating hazard impacts (Gupta & Nair, 2012). Well managed ecosystems can provide natural protection against common natural hazards, such as landslides, flooding, wildfires, storm surges and drought (Rieux et al., 2009). Ecosystem decline increases Disaster risk both by reducing the ability of an ecosystem to act as a natural buffer, as well as by reducing people's resilience by reducing their bases for a) Ecosystem Services of Wetland Natural systems are humanity's "life-support system" providing essential "ecosystem services" for existence and socio-economic well being (MA, 2005). Decline in ecosystem services influence the resources available to the people and, hence, lead to increasing vulnerability to hazards, and thereby decrease their resilience against disasters. The conservation and restoration of ecosystems such as forests and wetlands plays an essential role in reducing disaster risks such as flood, drought and storm (Wetland International). The Fourth Assessment Report of IPCC (2007) while reporting about the increased frequency and intensity of disasters due to climate uncertainties, suggested for strengthening ecological systems as part of adaptation and mitigation strategies (IPCC report, 2007). Ecosystem services are the benefits that individuals and communities obtain from ecosystems. These include "regulating services" such as regulation of floods, drought, land degradation and disease, along with "provisioning services" such as food and water, "supporting services" such as soil formation and nutrient cycling, and "cultural services" such as recreational, spiritual, religious and other non-material benefits (Table 1). Integrated management of land, water and bio resources promotes conservation and sustainable use. This provides the basis for maintaining ecosystem services, including those which contribute to reducing disaster risks. Restoring wetlands on crop fields resulted in a net increase of ecosystem services in the Mississippi Alluvial Valley in US including green house gas mitigation, nutrient mitigation and waterfowl recreation and therefore net benefit to the society (Jenkins et al., 2010). Wetlands consist of characteristic assemblages of species that interact with each other and their environment. Some coastal ecosystems including mangroves forests, coral reefs and salt marshes, help to reduce the risks associated with coastal hazards such as storm surge and coastal flood. Such ecosystem also provide a host of associated services which may be lost if natural systems are replaced by built structures (McIvor et al., 2012). A study conducted by the scientists at the University of Delhi and Duke University has shown that coastal villages in Orissa with the widest mangrove belts suffered fewer deaths as compared to those with narrower belts or no mangroves in the devastating Super Cyclone of 1999 (Das et al., 2009). The interactions within and between the biotic and abiotic components of wetland ecosystems provide various ecosystem services to the human society. Some of the ecological functions provide direct economic benefits whereas others provide indirect support and protection to an economic activity. The State of Louisiana has adopted policy guidelines for using natural wetlands to assimilate nutrients in secondarily treated municipal effluent, thus utilizing ecosystem services of natural wetlands. In addition to water quality improvement, wetland assimilation provides additional ecosystem services, including increased vegetative productivity, surface accretion, and carbon sequestration (Young KO Et Al., 2012). The floodplain wetland system provides several ecosystem services, key being regulation of hydrological regimes, groundwater recharge, water quality improveement, support to biodiversity and life support system, effective in flood control, waste water treatment, reducing sediments loads, low input sustainable agriculture, fisheries development, tourism and valuable for educational and scientific interest and recreational benefits. River floodplains have been reported as potential sites to mitigate extreme events in the hydrological cycle (Mitch et al., 2000). Wetland ecosystems are under tremendous pressure due to various anthropogenic activities. Notwithstanding the high value of the ecosystem services that wetlands provide to humankind, wetlands continue to be degraded or lost due to the effects of agricultural intensification, irrigation, water extraction for domestic and industrial use, urbanisation, infrastructure and industrial development and pollution (Russia et al., 2013). Wetlands on the fringes of river channels in the city are looked upon as a resource for different land uses. Studies show that the value of converting Thai mangroves to shrimp farms, draining freshwater marshes for intensive agriculture in Canada, and operating unsustainable fishing practices on coral reefs in the Philippines, was between 60% and 75% lower-in the long term-than the benefits from wetland conservation and sustainable use (www.ramsar.org). Wetland ecosystems of Yamuna river corridor in Delhi are one such live example. The capital city faces all the ills that a river system can possibly be faced with (Yamuna Jiye Abhiyan, 2007) and made the city more vulnerable and disaster prone. Under the UNDP's Disaster Risk Management Programme in India, Disaster Management Plans were developed. However, these plans focussed primarily earthquake and fire hazards and on structural interventions. Non-structural interventions are limited to training, awareness generation and interventions focusing on ecosystems have been lacking. Since Delhi is predominantly urban ecosystem approach for livelihood resilience and disaster mitigation has not received attention in the past. This study is an attempt to assess the role of wetland ecosystem in East Delhi and the services provided by these systems. An analyses of ecosystems role in reducing the risk of water and climate related disasters like flood, drought and epidemics has been undertaken. # Global Journal of Human Social Science Volume XIII Issue IV Version I Delhi, the capital city of India lies between 28.380 N and 77.120 E in latitude and longitude respectively. The River Yamuna (Figure 1), a major tributary of Ganges, is one of the key natural infrastructures of Delhi city. The total length of the river in the city is 50 Km between its entry at Pala and exit at Raipur. Its floodplains extends to an area of 94.84 km2comprising forests, agriculture land, settlements and lakes/ponds and can hold lot of water-about 2 billion cubic meters. The maximum width of the active floodplain is observed near Okla. where a large quantum of water is brought through Hindu cut. Despite high urban stress, the floral diversity of the floodplains is rich including 74 species of macrophysics and 90 species of phytoplankton. Faunal diversity encompasses 62 species of zooplankton, 55 species of benthos, 36 fish species and 131 bird species (wetland International-South Asia). Delhi region has suffered major floods during years 1924,1947,1967,1971,1975,1976,1978,1988,1993,1995,1998 # Methodology the wetland. Transect walk as suggested by de Zeeuw (2004) helps understanding natural resources, present land use pattern, vegetation, changes in the physical features and cropping systems, etc in villages, and public resources, land use, social differentiation and mobility in urban communities. A questionnaire based survey was carried out to have perception of communities living on the fringes of wetland on disasters faced by them and ecosystem services provided by the wetland. Experts view (academicians, ecologist, practioners, and bureaucrats who are versed with the study site) on the integration of ecosystem services and DRR were also taken. Scoring was done (on the basis of number of hazards addressed by one ecosystem service) for analysing the ecosystem services and DRR aspects addressed and based on the scores importance were attached as high (4-5), medium (3) and low (<3). In this study five is the highest score. # a) Ecosystem services of wetland of East Delhi The availability of water near Okhla throughout the year helps to maintain minimum water level required for functioning of the floodplain. The surplus water during monsoon percolates down and helps to control floods and maintain moisture regimes during lean period. Bioaccumulation of key nutrients in floodplain helps to reduce pollution stress, and thereby, leading to development of rich biodiversity habitat. Okla. Bird Sanctuary (notified in 1990 by UP Govt.) situated in Gautama Buddha Nagar is rich in avifaunal diversity and presently inhabits more than 145 bird species include 22 species of resident water birds, 44 species of resident terrestrial birds, 43 species of migratory water birds and 26 species of terrestrial migratory birds. The sanctuary covers rich aquatic, semi-aquatic and terrestrial habitat where more than 25 species of aquatic plants, 110 species of terrestrial plants including herbs, shrubs, climbers, grasses and trees have been recorded (Divisional Forest Officer, Gautama Buddha Nagar, UP, 2012). Table 2 provides the list of some of flora and fauna of the region respectively. Tourism has increased in the sanctuary including foreign tourists. The park is adding considerable revenue to the district. From November, 12 to March, 13 the income generated from the park was approximately nine laths Indian rupees. Communities residing in the floodplain derive their basic needs like water for drinking, irrigation and domestic purposes from the floodplains of Yamuna. For drinking purpose hand pumps are available and water depth is found to be 10-15ft. Bore wells are used for irrigation. Agriculture and labour are the sources of livelihood of the communities. The floodplain is very fertile and supports lots of cultivation of vegetables, horticulture and floriculture. Vegetables commonly grown are beans, cauliflower, cabbage, bottleguard, lady's finger, onion, potato, spinach, corn and bitter guard. It was surprising to find out that cultivators used urea, diammonium phosphate (DAP) and other chemical fertilizers in their fields. Community didn't complain about diseases caused by water. However, dengue outbreaks have been reported after monsoon and floods in the entire city. The key services from the wetland ecosystems in East Delhi are as follows: In 2010, the city witnessed one of the worst floods due to heavy rainfall. The flooding was gregarious due to the development within the natural course of the river. Yamuna water entered Delhi after being released from Tajewala and Hathnikund barrages up North, the water had lesser area to accommodate itself on the floodplain since a chunk of the floodplain-the size of the Commonwealth Games Village-was no longer available to the river that earlier remained for centuries. © 2013 Global Journals Inc. (US) # (Source: Yamuna jiyeAbhiyan) As evident from the figure 2, the bed in the west between the ring stream has been lost due to construction and developmental activities. A tour through the Yamuna flood plain gives the glimpse of encroached wetland. Indraprastha thermal power plant was established on the bank of the river to discharge waste generated directly into the flowing water. Memorials of our several leaders and politicians had been built in the floodplain between Nigambhod Ghat and Rajghat. Millennium Bus Depot (Asia's biggest depot) which was constructed during Common Wealth Games remained flooded for almost three months in 2010 because of no drainage system. Ironically, it happened just before a month for games to commence. # Ponds, near Bahaullah drain have disappeared due to bridges and flyovers and have now been converted into parks full of water hyacinths showing atrophic condition. The important lung space of the city has been lost converting it into heat island. Many marginalized communities depend upon the ecological services provided by the wetland to meet their day to day requirements (table 3) and figure 3. species diversity and also the duration of stay of migratory species has lessened. The reason is non availability of tree species for nesting and food. The species that have not been sighted in the sanctuary from last 5-6 years are paradise flycatcher, Egyptian vulture and great spotted eagle. Unplanned urbanization has drastically altered the drainage characteristics of natural catchments by increasing the volume and rate of surface runoff. Drainage systems are unable to cope up with the increased volume of water and are often encountered with the blockage due to indiscriminate disposal of solid wastes. Twenty prominent sewage and drainage system that carries the untreated loads of in and around Delhi is increasing the vulnerability of the sanctuary. Total quantity of sewage generated in Delhi is around 2,871 MLD whereas the capacity of sewage treatment plant is 1,478 MLD only. The figure clearly indicates that 1,393 mld of untreated sewage is directly discharge into the river (Source: wetland International-South Asia). Table 4 reveals role of floodplain in addressing various hazards and in disaster risk reduction. Disaster Recovery Plans are in place prior to hazard events that accelerate disaster recovery. engage communities in the recovery process and minimize impacts/ Ecosystem approach to DRR is widely advocated as second paradigm shift in disaster management, as it directly links with the livelihood of the people and sustainability of their resources (Gupta, 2012). This calls for emphasis on natural resource management, ecosystem services, land-use and adaptation to climate change within the strategies of disaster prevention, preparedness and post-disaster relief and recovery process (India's National Policy on Disaster Management, 2009, section 5.1.6). Most of the floodplains have been encroached for developmental projects. However, there are opportunities available for developing ecosystem approaches for reducing disaster risks due to climate change in Delhi and nearby areas. Table 5 presents an effort to assess and rate the ecosystem services in DRR framework. # Opportunities and Challenges of Integrating Ecosystem Approach in Disaster Risk Reduction Table 5 shows that each of the ecosystem services addresses one or more DRR aspects. Out of 14 ecosystem services by the wetland of East Delhi four are highly important (E1R, E7P, E9P and E11S), one holds medium importance (E8P) and rest are of relatively low importance. The scoring and importance attached does not discourage the other ecosystem services provided by the wetland rather it gives the priority for such services that can be integrated in the DRR framework. The YAP I launched in 1993 addressed the issues of pollution control and integrated development of river system. The main components of the plan include interception, diversion and treatment of sewage, low cost sanitation, river front development, construction of electric crematoria, forestation along the riverbanks and community participation. With inception of YAP II and leaving aside the present political issues, YAP could be seen as one of the opportunities and platform for key management interventions with the support of Government of India. Environment Impact Assessment of development projects: EIA is an anticipatory mechanism for assigning quantitative values to the parameters indicating the quality of environment before, during and after a major activity, project or incident, thus allowing measures to ensure ecological compatibility and economic efficiency in decision making. EIA, in pre disaster prevention and mitigation phase helps in precise decisions regarding planning risk reduction and choices of mitigation methods, technology and locations for activities. Alternate power generation: Renewable energy (hydro and solar) usage should be increased to lessen the loads on thermal power plants. Government should subsidized and support renewable energy resources. Weeds in and around wetland can also be used in generation of befouls, lot of research can be taken on this topic. # Restriction on indiscriminate withdrawal of groundwater: Indiscriminate use has led to over extraction of the groundwater over past few years. Yield of deep aquifer has decreased due to increased demand of water and blooming of tube wells. There is a need to regularise on groundwater usage from deep aquifers as rate of discharge is not equal to rate of extraction. Legislations and its enforcement: India is one of the leading countries in the world in terms of environmental legislations and policies but enforcement is very poor. Sound implementation will help to check the ecosystem degradation by putting ban on negative environment practices by human beings. Awareness generation and community involvement: Awareness generation programme at school level and also involving community at large will bring about attitudinal change regarding the conservation and protection of environment. Role of higher education and research institutions in promoting awareness is equally important besides the policy environment for facilitating a more sustainable approach. Mainstreaming disaster management plans: Ecosystem approach cannot be looked in isolation and needs to be mainstreamed with disaster management plans at policy level because challenges of water, climate-change and increasing pressure over the finite land have intricately woven the natural geoenvironmental processes to aggravate and turn into disasters. Corporate Social Responsibility and self responsibility: Corporate should come up with an approach to take ECODRR as an initiative for protecting environment and contributing in sustainable and inclusive growth of the country. Similarly onus lies on each and every citizen and take responsibilities towards disaster free India and should not only depend on Government schemes and programmers. Further Research: Researches on why the river morphology of Yamuna is changing at some places can be undertaken to have more holistic understanding of the floodplain behavior. # VI. # Limitations and Challenges The Integration of ECODRR approach has also certain limitations. Following are the key points: ? Infrastructures have already been developed on the floodplain, and, hence major chunk of wetland has already been encroached. # Conclusion Wetlands on the corridor of Yamuna are rapidly diminishing due to anthropogenic activities and have become one of the most threatened ecosystems. Pressure for conversion of wetlands for developmental purposes is very high especially in case of urban riparian wetlands. These wetland ecosystems provide many tangible and intangible benefits on a sustainable basis not only to the urban society but also to the associated dependent ecosystems. River floodplain can be consider as a tool for mitigation of flood waves or extreme low only if a management and structure respect this natural function (Pithart et al., 2007). Recognizing the importance of wetland ecosystems, the National Environment Policy of India (NEP, 2006) contains an unambiguous assertion of the need for a holistic view of wetlands, which looks at each identified wetland in terms of its causal linkages with other natural entities, human needs, and its own attributes. The ecosystem approach to disaster risk reduction advocates for sustainable ecosystems management as strategy to reduce exposure and vulnerability, through hazard mitigation or regulation as well as enhancement of livelihood capacities and resilience. # VIII. Acknowledgements Authors are thankful to Dr. Ritesh Kumar and Mr. Satish Kumar of Wetland International South Asia, Mr. Munish Kumar, Cordaid for the field guidance valuable insights on the ecosystem services of wetlands in Delhi. The team is grateful to officers and staff members of Okhala Bird Sanctuary particularly Dr. T.K. Roy, Ecologist and Conservationist, who facilitated data collection and provided necessary information and field guidance. We are also grateful to National Institute of Disaster Management and UN-Partnership for Environment and Disaster Risk Reduction for supporting the study. 1![Figure 1 : Map showing the study area](image-2.png "BFigure 1 :") ![and 2010. The 1978 was the worst ever flood in Delhi when water Level reached at 207.49 m (danger level is 204.83 m) with discharge 2.53 lakh cusec at old Railway bridge (7.0 laky cusec discharge was released from Tajewala) when130 villages and 25 urban colonies in Delhi were submerged in water. As per the map of flood prone areas prepared by Central Water Commission, Delhi has been classified into thirteen zones based on the flooding risk in relation to incremental rise in the water level of the of the Yamuna. Beside this, the Delhi flood control order (2011) also divides the National Capital Territory Delhi (NCTD) into four flood sectors, namely, Shahdra, Wazirabad-Babrapur, Alipur and Nangloi-Najafgarg sectors. A detailed analysis of the eight flood affected villages during 2010 September, from the North Delhi, has shown tremendous land use land cover changes over past two decades (Satija, 2011). During the September 2010, rainfall in Delhi was 359.7 mm, 180% more than the normal rainfall. Urban floods are becoming a perennial feature of the city due to inadequate drainage, uncontrolled development and land use changes particularly in the Yamuna Flood Plain. Transect walk was carried out across the corridor of river Yamuna in Delhi to identify and explain the relationships among floodplain, natural vegetation, cultivation, human activities & settlement pattern and understand the various ecosystem services provided by Disaster Risk Reduction: A Case Study of Wetland in East Delhi Region, India a) Study Area III.](image-3.png "") 2![Figure 2 : Vulnerability map showing present State of river bed in Delhi](image-4.png "BFigure 2 :") ![Migratory birds that come to Okhla Sanctuary used to rest at Gautama Buddha Park which has now been converted into concrete political park with all open land converted to paved areas. Ecologist and Conservationist working with Okhla sanctuary say that Gautama Buddha Park has negatively affected the](image-5.png "") ![Disaster Risk Reduction: A Case Study of Wetland in East Delhi Region, India V.](image-6.png "") 1ServicesComments and ExamplesProvisioningFoodproduction of fish, fruits and grainsFresh Waterstorage and retention of water fordomestic, industrial, and agricultural useFibre and Fuelproduction of logs, fuelwood, peat,fodderBiochemicalextraction of medicines and othermaterials from biotaGenetic materials genes for resistance to plant pathogens,ornamental species, and so onRegulatingClimatesource of and sink for greenhouseRegulationgases; influence local and regionaltemperature, precipitation, and otherclimatic processes 2FaunaFloraPavo cristatusArgemone MexicanaColumbia liviaCalatropis proceraPaser domesticaCommelina benghalensisCercomola fuscaTribulus trestisCulicicapa ceylonensisEclypta albaLuscinia svecicaAzolla pinnataMegalaima zeylanicaPhyla nodiflora 3Ecosystem ServicesExplanationRegulatingE1Storing excessSafe passage of excess waters in the citywater during heavyrainfallYear 2013E2 E3 E4Ground water recharge Disease regulation Carbon SequestrationSource of surface and ground water which is much needed to meet the city's growing needs of water for domestic, industrial and uses. Helps in control of water borne diseases Act as an essential carbon storage and thus help in climate change mitigation2 20 2 42E5 E6Shelter belt Thermal regulationProvides a potential shelter belt against advancing land degradation Regulates thermal currents in the city where summer temperatures are todayVolume XIII Issue IV Version IE7 E8 E9Livelihood Support Fisheries Water for drinking, domestic purpose and irrigationbecoming unbearable with every passing year in the context of climate change and global warming. Provisioning Production and sell of vegetables and fruits like water chestnut, lotus root, green vegetables are key means of sustenance particularly for slum dwellers Hardy and tolerant fish species found in the river stretch except in upstream of Wazirabad barrage where still major and minor carps are found The fish species found are rohu, katla, mrigal, channa, singada etc. Source of drinking water to major part of the city. Also provide water for irrigating crops SupportingD D D D )E10Support heavyVegetation such as water hyacinth and different grass species like Typha,(nutrient loadPhragmites carca, Lamphrophyla etc. are found that take up nutrientsGlobal Journal of Human Social ScienceE11 E12 E13 E14Sediment retention and accumulation of organic matter Recreational Educational Aestheticreceived from the nearby drainage and thus help in controlling water pollution Organic fertilizers are made from the water hyacinth after processing. Also bio fuels by briquetting have been made. Cultural Okhla Bird Sanctuary in Gautam Buddha Nagar provides a source of recreational activities. More than 145 species are reported from Okhla out of this about 50% are migratory birds, 36% are resident birds and rest are vagrant sightings. A variety of both native and exotic species of plants are found in the sanctuary Source of formal and informal education and training, Many school children visit the bird sanctuary along with researchers and scholars. Wetland provide scenic beauty© 2013 Global Journals Inc. (US)BEcosystem Services for Disaster Risk Reduction: A Case Study of Wetland in East Delhi Region, India 4Addressing HazardCommentsH1FloodAddressing flood hazard by means of spread and passage offlood waters during the monsoon every year and exceptionalfloods once every decade or more (1978, 1988, 1995, 2010).H2EpidemicsAddressing epidemics like dengue and malariaH3DroughtAddressing meteorological drought in the capital by supplyingwater for irrigation during lean periodReducing VulnerabilityV1Physical vulnerabilityReducing physical vulnerability by providing buffer to build ininfrastructure like irrigation system, municipal water supply,sanitation and drainage by checking land degradation both tothe people as well as of the ecosystemV2Economic vulnerabilityReducing economic vulnerability by providing stable source ofincome from fruits, vegetables and fisheriesV3Livelihood vulnerabilityReducing vulnerability of local people who are dependent onwetland for their livelihood like vegetables and fruits along withaddressing issue food security. Also reducing vulnerability ofthe people who are dependent on fisheries for their livelihoodsupportV4Environment VulnerabilityReducing environmental vulnerability by checking water scarcity,providing suitable environment for fish breeding, taking nutrientloads from the drainage system etc. around the city.Increasing CapacityC1GovernanceStrengthens knowledge and policy environment which in turnhelps strengthening governance and hence increasing thecapacity to address disaster in a holistic way. It helps traditionalDM professionals and engineers recognise DRR benefits ofecosystemsC2Society and economyCommunities are engaged in diverse and environmentallysustainable livelihoods resistant to hazards.C3Land use management andEffective land use and structural design that complementstructural designenvironmental, economic, and community goals and reducerisks from hazards.C4Risk KnowledgeLeadership and community members are aware of hazardsand risk information is utilized when making decisions.C5Warning and evacuationCommunity is capable of receiving notifications and alerts offlood, warning at-risk populations and individuals acting on thealert.C6Emergency ResponseMechanisms and networks are established and maintained torespond quickly to flood and drought disasters and addressemergency needs at the community levelC7 5Ecosystem ServicesDRR aspectsScoringImportanceaddressedE1RStoring excess water during heavyH1, V1, C3,C54HighrainfallE2RGround water rechargeV41LowE3RDisease regulationH21LowE4RCarbon SequestrationV41LowE5RShelter beltV11LowE6RThermal regulationV41LowE7PLivelihood SupportV2, V3, V4, C1, C25HighE8PFisheriesV2, V3, V43MediumE9PWater for drinking, domesticH3,V1, V4, C34Highpurpose and irrigationE10SSupport heavy nutrient loadV41LowE11SSediment retention andV1, V4, C1, C34Highaccumulation of organic matterE12CRecreationalC11LowE13CEducationalC41LowE14CAestheticV41LowNote: R, P S and C stands for regulating, provisioning, supporting and cultural services of ecosystem respectively.a) Opportunities of integration of ecosystem services inDRR aspects and interventionsYamuna Action Plan (YAP): VII. © 2013 Global Journals Inc. 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