Role of Stakeholders in Sustainable Management of an Urban Waterbody and Wetland

Abstract

Waterbodies and wetlands in urban areas face fragmentation due to multiple administrative boundaries, necessitating collaboration among various stakeholders. To enhance stakeholder involvement in social-ecological systems (SES), participatory tools have been employed. This article aims to identify factors affecting the sustainability of Najafgarh Lake and Wetland in Northern India, by identifying relevant stakeholders, examining their perceptions about the current state of the lake using a problem analysis participatory tool (PAST), and presenting the findings along the four subsystems of Ostrom’s (2007) general framework for analyzing the sustainability of SES. An analysis of stakeholders’ perceptions reveals the factors affecting Najafgarh Lake’s sustainability and highlights two competing and conflicting interests: reducing water inflow into the lake and constructing an embankment, versus designating the lake as a wetland. Balancing the two competing issues namely immediate gains from draining the lake and the long-term benefits arising from its preservation is crucial. These insights can guide policymakers in developing a sustainable lake and wetland management plan.