Study of water productivity model on wetlands: a case study of Bhagirathi-Hooghly sub-catchment basin, Southern West Bengal, India

In this article, we explored how to determine the water productivity of wetlands in a compact and evolving basis with geographic information systems and agro-climatic models. Our research aimed to use the AquaCrop model to determine the extent to which the wetlands in the Bhagirathi-Hooghly Basin in South West Bengal, India, have used their water productivity to meet human needs. The wetland capacity and productivity are declining over time due to pressure from the growing population with declining land area. Various statistical data obtained from the field are calibrated based on the AquaCrop model. The validity of the information collected from the model depends on the prediction error (Pe), coefficient of determination (R-2), index of agreement (d) and model efficiency (ME) and based on which the goodness of fit develops. It is concluded that the economic dependence of the people living along the wetland has shifted from rice production to fishing and other aquatic plant production. The water productivity of aquatic resources is 7% higher than the water productivity of rice. The study marks the success of a future strategy for wetland development and urges the state government to undertake management policies to create a healthy wetland environment.