Ecology of Nalsarovar Wetland, Gujarat, India: A Review

Abstract

Nalsarovar Wetland, located in Gujarat, western India, is one of the largest inland freshwater wetlands in the country and an internationally recognized Ramsar Site. The wetland supports rich biodiversity, including large populations of migratory birds along the Central Asian Flyway, and provides numerous ecosystem services such as groundwater recharge, flood regulation, fisheries, carbon sequestration, and ecotourism. Its ecological functioning is governed by complex interactions among geological evolution, hydrological processes, habitat heterogeneity, nutrient dynamics, and climatic variability. Despite its ecological significance, the wetland is increasingly threatened by agricultural expansion, sedimentation, hydrological modifications, tourism pressure, invasive species, and climate change. This review synthesizes available information on the geological setting, hydrology, biodiversity, water quality, ecosystem services, environmental changes, and conservation challenges of Nalsarovar Wetland. The review highlights the importance of integrated ecosystem-based management, long-term ecological monitoring, and geospatial technologies for sustainable conservation of this internationally important wetland ecosystem.