Restoring Natural Capital

Abstract

This article discusses the restoration of natural capital, specifically land and vegetation, in the area surrounding the Panshet dam in India. The construction of the dam resulted in the destruction of forests, fertile land, and the displacement of 23 villages. In response, a restoration project was started in 1986 with the goal of restoring abandoned quarries and other degraded areas to their former productivity by building a system of wetlands. The project involved fencing off the area to prevent grazing and woodcutting, and building check dams to hold water in shallow ponds. The wetlands have been successful in attracting a variety of plant and animal species and improving the overall health and productivity of the land. This passage describes the results of a restoration project in the area surrounding the Panshet dam in India. The project aimed to improve the health and productivity of the land by controlling grazing, utilizing available water, introducing new plant species, and physically removing certain opportunistic species. The project has been successful in increasing the diversity and abundance of plant and animal species in the area, as well as increasing the biomass of certain habitats. The project also resulted in an increase in the number of tree and bush species, and a decrease in the amount of barren and grazed land. Overall, the restoration project has helped to improve the ecological health of the area and restore its natural capital.