Ecology and Economics of River Bharalu

Abstract

Rivers are known to be the most integral part of Earth s natural landscape. Functioning as conduits for water, sediments and other matter, river systems have been vital in driving a wide array of fundamental and inter-related natural processes. They have also eternally played an integral part in the existence of humanity. From being an endless supply of freshwater for drinking and irrigation to the riparian zones where agriculture can flourish, riversareanexcellentsourceofnutritionvis-`a-visfreshwaterfishavailability and a major means of transport. In modern times, riverbanks have been transformed into recreational spaces and tourist attractions, mostly seen in European and East Asian nations. However,the world has also witnessed along-drawn history of lost rivers. Guwahati city in the state of Assam(India)has its own story centering the Bharalu river, which today exists in a heavily impaired condition in the metropolitan s heart. Once a natural life line of the city, this river today carries a hefty portion of Guwahati s household, municipal and industrial wastes. The city having developed on the bank of Brahmaputra River which is also the main source of drinking water for the city dwellers, Bharalu s polluted water is cited as a huge concern as it directly discharges into the mighty river within city limits. This concern was officially validated when in 2011, the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) published a report citing Bharalu to be one of the most polluted rivers in the country . A decade later now, the Bharalu s health has heavily worsened. The present study tries to probe into the current status of the Bharalu in light of its ecological and economic linkages, and perform an economic non-market valuation of the river s restoration aspect. The study puts forward an integrative approach in the field of economic research regarding identification, analysis and valuation of ecosystem services in light of the natural resource and its restoration.