Urbanisation and its Impact on the Landscape Transformation of East Kolkata Wetlands

Rapid urban expansion in developing countries has intensified pressure on peri-urban wetlands, leading to significant ecological transformation. The East Kolkata Wetlands (EKW), a designated Ramsar site on the eastern fringe of Kolkata, serves as a globally recognised model of wastewater-fed aquaculture and resource recovery. However, accelerating urbanisation and infrastructure growth have increasingly altered its landscape structure and ecological integrity. This study investigates the spatio-temporal dynamics of land-use and land-cover (LULC) change in the East Kolkata Wetlands over the past three decades using multi-temporal satellite imagery and geospatial techniques. Supervised classification methods were applied to map major land categories, including wetlands, water bodies, agricultural land, vegetation, and built-up areas. Landscape metrics, including patch density, fragmentation index, and connectivity measures, were computed to assess structural transformations and ecological stability. The results indicate a substantial increase in built-up areas, accompanied by declines in wetland extent and agricultural land. Water bodies exhibit increasing fragmentation and reduced spatial connectivity, reflecting the conversion of ecologically functional zones into urban land uses. These transformations compromise key ecosystem services, including wastewater treatment, flood regulation, biodiversity conservation, and livelihood support for local communities dependent on wetland-based activities. The study highlights the urgent need for integrated urban planning, stricter enforcement of wetland protection policies, and continuous spatial monitoring to ensure sustainable coexistence between urban growth and wetland conservation in rapidly expanding metropolitan regions.