Jan. 31: The environment department is considering building an eco park with a bird sanctuary in the East Calcutta Wetlands, a fragile ecological sprawl that acts as the city's kidney.

"We are seriously considering a proposal by the Calcutta Environment Improvement Programme to set up an eco-park with a bird sanctuary in the East Calcutta Wetlands," mayor and environment minister Sovan Chatterjee told Metro on the sidelines of the inauguration of an office of the environment department in Pranisampad Bhawan.

Asked whether the proposed eco park would be similar to Rajarhat's Eco Park, Chatterjee said: "The two areas are different and the East Calcutta Wetlands have a number of water bodies. Whatever we plan, it should be in tune with the local environment."

A high court order and the conditions set by the Ramsar Convention, which has recognised the wetlands, prevent any change in the land use of the watery sprawl.

Changes are only allowed in exceptional cases with the consent of the East Calcutta Wetlands Authority, headed by the chief secretary.

The city's effluent is discharged into the wetlands, which treat the waste naturally. The unique characteristic has earned the wetlands the nickname Calcutta's kidney.

Sources said the proposed sight was near the abandoned Dhapa garbage dump where a World Bank-funded project is under way.

"Rajarhat-type eco park is not acceptable in the wetlands as that will entail a lot of change in land use," said Bonani Kakkar, a member of the East Calcutta Wetlands Authority.