Wetland Watch. 1. Diara Marshlands

Abstract

On 5 th April, 2015, we visited Diara marshlands under Uttar Rajyadharpur mouza, Piarapur Gram Panchayat, Hooghly district, West Bengal. A broken brick and rubbish top semi-kachcha road, locally known as Jangal Road, from Diara Railway Station to Delhi High Road, a distance of about two kilometers was travelled. Along side it was found that the sewerage laden Jangal nullah which serves the need for irrigation in the area, which was teeming with agricultural activities, growing rice-paddies and a wide variety of vegetables, dominated by bhindi (okra / lady's finger) production varying from 2-5 kg/ katha / week during peak growing period.