Community-Driven Wetland Rejuvenation and its Impacts on Hydrology, Biodiversity and Livelihoods in a Flood-Prone Region of Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh, India
Abstract
Floodplain wetlands play an important role in hydrological regulation, biodiversity conservation and livelihood support in monsoon-dominated river basins. They are also increasingly recognized as critical Nature-based Solutions (NbS) that contribute to climate adaptation, flood moderation, groundwater recharge, carbon sequestration and livelihood resilience, particularly for vulnerable rural communities in climate-sensitive landscapes. However, increasing climate variability and anthropogenic disturbances are adversely affecting the ecological functions and ecosystem services provided by these wetlands. The present study evaluates the hydrological, ecological and livelihood impacts of a community-driven wetland rejuvenation intervention implemented at the Mirhiriya wetland in the Rapti River basin of Gorakhpur, eastern Uttar Pradesh, India. Major restoration activities included selective de-siltation, restoration of hydrological connectivity, removal of invasive aquatic vegetation and conservation of a vegetated Natural Filtration System (NFS). Pre- and post-intervention assessments conducted during January 2024 and January 2026 indicated substantial improvement in wetland functioning following restoration. Water depth in the central wetland increased by 54.55%, while the spatial extent of waterlogging decreased by 48.62%. Water quality improved considerably, and aquatic macrophyte richness increased from 4 to 10 species, while fish species richness increased from 4 to 8 species following rejuvenation. Wetland rejuvenation also enhanced livelihood opportunities through improved fisheries and wetland resource utilization among local communities. The findings demonstrate that community-driven wetland rejuvenation can function as an effective nature-based solution for improving ecological resilience and livelihood security in flood-prone agricultural landscapes.