George Mulamoottil

Environmental problems of Dhaka city: A study of mismanagement

Abstract The rapid growth of Dhaka city begun in 1971 when it became the capital of independent Bangladesh. As one of the most densely populated cities in the world, Dhaka has unique environmental problems. This paper examines the nature and magnitude of the environmental problems related to solid waste, water, air and noise in Dhaka. It also studies the policy, administrative, and operational aspects of these problems and shows how flaws in the management of the environmental problems of the city have made the situation worse. Some remedial measures are suggested.

Hydrologic processes in a southern Ontario wetland

A 12 month investigation on the hydrology of a southern Ontario wetland was completed. The mass flux of water and concentrations of total phosphates, ortho-phosphates, and chlorides were measured in all components of the hydrologic budget; over 800 grab samples were analyzed.The study showed that both groundwater recharge and discharge could occur within a wetland; data on these opposing flows must be quantified in order to develop effective long-term wetland management strategies and to accurately determine nutrient budgets. The study concluded that theoretical formulae may greatly underestimate summer evapotranspiration rates for hydrophyte dominated marshes. Storm inputs of physio-chemical parameters were found to be very significant, accounting for 32 to 51 percent of the total surface water loadings; failure to measure and/or model these inputs would have greatly distorted the study findings. Finally, since flow rates and concentrations of the chemical parameters were less variable at the wetland outflow, it was concluded that the wetland moderates event response inputs into stable response outputs.Over the study period total phosphate imports were double that of total phosphate exports while the ortho-phosphate discharge from the wetland was 22 percent more than the inputs. This indicates that the wetland is transforming sediment-bound phosphate to plant available ortho-phosphate, thus contributing to downstream eutrophication problems.

Retrofitting a stormwater management facility with a wetland component

Abstract The City of Toronto has built a stormwater management system, the Etobicoke Stormwater Management Facility (ESWMF), along the Lake Ontario shoreline. The Facility represents an innovative stormwater management solution that integrates two previously separate water quality improvement technologies ‐stormwater wetlands and flow balancing systems. The facility, besides improving water quality, will provide aesthetic, recreational and educational benefits. A conceptual plan to retrofit a wetland component within the ESWMF using three wetland design options is presented. The application of this ecotechnology at other stormwater discharges along the Toronto waterfront is discussed. The paper concludes with a review of the policy implications.

Voluntary organizations in Bangladesh: a profile

Voluntary organizations in Bangladesh: a profile describes the emergence and development of voluntary groups in Bangladesh which organize people in the undertaking of development programmes, and the different forms they have taken. It also reviews their financial, staffing and functional strengths and weaknesses.

Wetland boundary and land-use planning in southern Ontario, Canada

There is a general lack of understanding of wetland processes and a general paucity of scientific research to predict the effects of development on wetland boundary. This paper presents the results of a survey of wetland managers as to how they delineate wetland boundaries, define compatible land uses, and restrict land uses adjacent to wetland boundaries. A major finding from the survey is that 75% of land-use planners and wetland managers failed to identify any compatible land use or restricted land use for development proposals that may affect provincially significant wetlands. The government agencies overwhelmingly lack adequate methodologies and/or criteria to delineate and protect wetland boundaries. The paper closes with a plea to consider dynamic hydrological factors in land-use planning.

A study of changing land uses in and around Toronto waterfront marshes

Abstract Land use changes associated with 45 years of urbanization within the watersheds of eight marshes east of Toronto are documented. During 1931–76 marshes were pre- empted by industrial activities, urban utilities and residential developments. It is estimated that 271 ha of marsh were reclaimed from a total of 482 ha. These encroachments have increased the isolation of marshes by severing biotic exchanges within the watershed and by reducing the continuity between the marshes. Within the waterfront marsh areas, the rate of wetland loss is accelerating. The environmental and economic implications of wetland losses are described and the urgent need for a wetland policy is pointed out.

Nitrate in Water: The Application of a Conceptual/Analytical Framework

Abstract This paper presents an analysis of institutional arrangements for management of nitrate pollution in England. The causes, effects and consequences of the problem and the key managementissues are outlined. Results indicate that the effectivenessof the management of nitrate pollution has improved after 1985. Nevertheless, three key obstacles are identified which have limited the effectiveness of the arrangements: poor coordination at the regional and local levels, disputes regarding the equitable allocation of costs, and the uncertainties associated with the problem. Catchment-based planning of land and water, linked consultation arrangements, principled negotiation and an adaptive management approach are recommended to overcome these obstacles.

Environmentally-sensitive Area Planning in Ontario: Status and Problems in Implementation

Increasing public awareness of the need to protect Environmentally Sensitive Areas (ESAs), as well as the establishment of regional municipalities, provided the impetus for local governments to initiate ESA planning in Ontario. As of 1981, twenty municipalities—primarily regional municipalities and counties—had adopted ESA programmes. This paper examines the current status of ESA-protection planning in Ontario and the problems encountered by municipalities in adopting and implementing ESA programmes. Using a questionnaire survey, data were collected concerning 66 municipalities, and a review was carried out of the ESA policies in 36 Official Plans. The results show that an additional 11 municipalities have adopted ESA programmes since 1981, and that most of these have been designated cities. The primary problems encountered by municipalities in implementing ESA-protection programmes have been a lack of landowner support, weakness of any provincial policy-directive, and shortness of funding. These problems are also faced by uninvolved municipalities, and play an important role in preventing them from adopting ESA programmes. If a wider municipal adoption of ESA programmes is to be achieved, a stronger commitment will be needed from the Provincial Government in the form of guiding policies, financial assistance, and incentives to landowners who wish to protect their sensitive lands. A greater emphasis on landowner contact and public education programmes will also be required. Municipalities should cooperate with other conservation agencies and organizations in working towards this end.

A limnological survey of eight waterfront marshes

Abstract The Toronto-Centred region is subject to intense land use pressures and the effects on marshes are quite marked. Baseline limnological data on water chemistry, vegetation analysis, macrophyte productivity and invertebrate density of eight waterfront marshes situated in this region were obtained during the summer of 1977. The data were analysed to discern the impact of urban and agricultural land uses on marsh ecology.