Urbanization, Climate Change and Food Security in the East Kolkata Wetlands

Abstract

The East Kolkata Wetlands (EKW), located on the peripheries of the city of Kolkata, is a unique ecosystem that provides several services to the city like food, sanitation, water and livelihood. But as urbanization expands into the EKW, it puts pressure on the ecosystem and its ability to provide these services. The city, home to millions of people, is fighting another battle as well, against climate change, and is considered to be one of the most vulnerable cities in the world in terms of population exposure. This thesis combines the themes of climate change, urbanization and food security of fisherfolk communities in the EKW to create a better understanding of the vulnerabilities faced by the people that rely on the EKW, as well as the risk to the living system itself. Through oral narratives, interviews and visuals of the EKW, this paper highlights how urbanization is affecting the food security of the people who depend on the EKW as well as the potential for climate change to exacerbate the situation. The EKW is a study in contrasts. It is on the forefront of development and urbanization that highlights the differences between what is sustainable and what isn’t, the people who have economic resources and those who don’t, the people who have access to services, infrastructure and resources and those who don’t and the political and social power that often times comes with these resources. Urbanization is a primary threat to the EKW and as climate change puts more pressure on Kolkata’s resources and people, the city lacks a concrete plan to improve the resilience either by utilizing the EKW, protecting it, or developing other resources. In addition to the city’s inability to implement a climate action plan and protect valuable ecosystems, the fisheries of the EKW are seeing differing production levels over the years. The food security and livelihood generation of the vulnerable fisherfolk communities is intricately linked to the existence of this ecosystem and without some amount of government support, community action and resilience building isn’t enough.M.S., Urban Strategy -- Drexel University, 201