Akshata Drumil Patel

CT3596

Rapid urbanization and intense anthropogenic activities deplete natural resources and degrade ecosystems. Developing countries like India, with a multi-fold increase in urban populations, struggle with land cover changes, resource depletion, pollution, and climate change, affecting ecosystems and their services. Inland water habitats, such as wetlands and lakes, are particularly vulnerable, grappling with soaring water demands, encroachment, pollution, eutrophication, and other threats. Valuation of ecosystem services is globally recognized as a useful tools for conservation efforts. However, in India, there are gaps in valuation studies, including geographical and ecosystem distribution biases. This study addresses these gaps by valuing ecosystem services of selected lakes in novel context of Ahmedabad, Gujarat. Four lakes in Ahmedabad—Chandola, Vastrapur, Shilaj, and Bopal—are selected based on location and size. 
The study aims to identify ecosystem services, user dependencies, values, willingness-to- pay for lake services, and the impact of lakes on real estate in Ahmedabad. To address these objectives, the research identifies ecosystem services classified by the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment. The Contingent Valuation Method (CVM) is used for valuation. A total of 126 surveys are performed on lake sites and 23 construction industry professionals are interviewed to arrive at the results. The on-site surveys investigate user dependencies, quantify monetary values derived from lake use and assess willingness to pay for cultural services like recreation. Finally, the study examines how lake presence or absence affects real estate prices. By addressing these questions, the research aims to provide valuable insights into lake ecosystem services, values, and socio-economic impacts in Ahmedabad, facilitating informed decision-making for sustainable management and conservation.