Impact of Wetland Development and Degradation on the Livelihoods of Wetland-dependent Communities: a Case Study from the Lower Gangetic Floodplains

‘Wise use’ of wetland ecosystem services has implications for achieving sustainable development goals. Globally, almost 87% wetlands have been lost since 1700’s with losses projected to be much higher by 2050 in developing economies due urbanisation. Little is known about how this loss might impact people’s dependency at local scales the peri-urban landscapes. To understand perception from Dankuni Eastern India and associated changes, we conducted thirty-seven semi-structured interviews a single village. Wetland-dependent people identified 18 wetland. The included 12 provisioning two each regulatory, cultural supporting services. Farming use products including molluscs, fuelwood, fodder, fibre fish was found subsidize living costs provide diverse livelihood options residents. However, encroachment factories blockage its riverine connection were reported as main factors degrading wetland.. As result, life people, especially landless widows older residents severely impacted. Respondents believed that it possible rejuvenate restoring connections but stressed on vested interests degradation. Their perceptions strongly impress upon need greater government accountability protection integration knowledge along locally suited political action restoration programmes. In context, advocate implementation laws allow under socio-ecological framework.