IISc study highlights ecological value of Mula-Mutha river, calls for urgent wetland restoration

The study quantifies how wetlands, springs, and riparian biodiversity contribute measurable ecological and financial value to the city, urging authorities to integrate ecological data into urban planning frameworks.

Held at the Sumant Moolgaokar Auditorium, ICC Towers, the public presentation attracted researchers, civic officials, students, and environmental activists.

Ramachandra, who heads the Energy and Wetlands Research Group (EWRG) at IISc, began his one-hour technical presentation with a compelling call for holistic thinking, remarking: “Science, society, culture, and spirituality have to go hand in hand.”

He emphasised that river systems are not mere water channels but living entities interwoven with local culture and ecology. Drawing from his extensive research on Bengaluru’s lakes, Ramachandra illustrated how ecosystem valuation can guide sustainable policies and help urban centres like Pune avoid ecological crises.

Every rupee invested in wetland restoration, he argued, yields multiple times that value in the long run through improved groundwater recharge, flood management, and biodiversity conservation.

“When you have renewability, you will have sustainability,” he stated, underlining the need to align economic growth with ecological balance.

The presentation placed special emphasis on in-stream wetlands—natural depressions formed by the monsoon-fed flows of rivers. These features act as ecological sponges, absorbing excess rainwater during floods and releasing it gradually in dry periods. Wetlands, Ramachandra noted, also cleanse pollutants, regulate temperature, and sustain aquatic vegetation like river lilies and riparian trees such as Umbar and Karanj.

Equally significant are live springs—natural groundwater outflows that maintain river flow beyond the monsoon season. These springs, with their naturally filtered water, nurture both biodiversity and cultural heritage. Historically, Pune’s springs have acted as lifelines for rivers, but today they face severe degradation due to urban pressure, sewage inflows, and encroachment.

Documenting bird species, mapping trees

Complementing IISc’s scientific insights, Pune-based groups such as Jeevitnadi, Nisargasevak, and the Ecological Society shared the outcomes of ongoing citizen-science projects. At the Ram-Mula Confluence, volunteers documented 118 bird species between January and June 2025, including 21 migratory and 14 endemic species.

Notably, three of these are on the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) Red List. Tree mapping efforts using the Epicollect app have identified 3,483 trees along a 3.73 km river stretch, representing 89 species and an estimated 61.8 tonnes of carbon sequestration. All data is being uploaded to the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF), supporting long-term ecological monitoring. These initiatives illustrate that citizen participation can amplify scientific work by building public ownership of ecosystems.

Ramachandra cautioned that ecological ignorance often leads to irreversible losses—not only environmental, but also economic and social. “Those who destroy intergenerational equity will pay the price for it,” he warned, stressing that the future of cities depends on how they respect nature’s boundaries today.

(Rohit Yadav is an intern with The Indian Express)