WETLANDS IN NORTHEAST INDIA, CRISES, AND AI MITIGATION

Abstract

Wetlands in Northeast India constitute critical ecosystems that provide essential services including flood regulation, water purification, biodiversity conservation, and livelihood support to local communities. This chapter provides a comprehensive analysis of the status, distribution, and ecological significance of wetlands across all seven states of Northeast India—Assam, Manipur, Tripura, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Mizoram, and Meghalaya. The region harbors approximately 7,731 medium to large wetlands and 11,736 small wetlands, covering 1.66 million ha (4.17% of the regional geographical area), yet only four Ramsar sites have been designated. These wetlands face severe and escalating threats from anthropogenic pressures including encroachment, pollution, over-exploitation, siltation, and invasive species, compounded by climate change impacts such as altered precipitation patterns and extreme weather events. Approximately, 38% of India's wetlands have been lost in the last decade, with Northeast India experiencing significant degradation in key water bodies such as Deepor Beel, Loktak Lake, Rudrasagar Lake, and Son Beel. This chapter explores the transformative potential of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in addressing these crises through enhanced wetland mapping, water quality monitoring, biodiversity tracking, and predictive modeling. AI technologies, including machine learning, deep learning, and remote sensing integration, offer advanced capabilities for overcoming traditional monitoring challenges such as remoteness, high cloud cover, and complex boundaries. However, successful AI implementation requires addressing challenges related to data availability and quality, computational infrastructure, interdisciplinary collaboration, and the development of ethically sound, localized solutions. By synthesizing current scientific literature and proposing technology-driven conservation strategies, this chapter emphasizes the urgent need for integrated approaches that combine traditional conservation methods with cutting-edge AI applications to safeguard Northeast India's invaluable wetland ecosystems for future generations.