Towards Sustainable Delta Ecosystems: Pollution Mitigation for Achieving SDGs in Indian Delta Region

Abstract

Being exceptionally fertile, the Indian delta regions contribute significantly to India’s food supply and serve as source of surface and ground water for millions of people. These areas contribute immensely to the livelihoods of the people through fishery, tourism, transportation, and commerce, improving country's economy and people’s wellbeing besides supporting rich biodiversity. Although these ecosystems have great ecological and economic importance, they face serious threat from climate change and human activities such as deforestation, industrial and domestic sewage discharge, increasing urbanization, and solid and agricultural waste disposal. Anthropogenic pollutants, primarily heavy metals such as As, Co, Cr, Pb, Ni, Mn, Fe, and Zn, macro- and micro-plastics, pesticides, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, and polychlorinated biphenyl are being released in great quantity threatening the overall health of the ecosystems, and existence of several plant and animal species. Excessive groundwater removal has resulted in salt water intrusion into groundwater aquifers, rendering the groundwater unfit for human consumption and cultivation. The conservation of these areas needs effective pollution abatement measures taking a multidisciplinary approach. This article aims to examine anthropogenic pollutants’ ecological and economic impact on Indian delta regions and propose multidisciplinary mitigation measures that include sewage discharge, urbanization, garbage management, and pesticide usage. The goal is to integrate pollution-reduction efforts with SDGs, such as protecting livelihoods, boosting the economy, and maintaining biodiversity in the face of climate change and human activity.