Answer: 

Introduction:

Land reclamation is the process of creating new land from areas that were previously underwater or otherwise unusable. This process is usually undertaken for agricultural, industrial, or residential development purposes.

Body:

• Loss of Biodiversity: Water bodies are home to a diverse range of aquatic and semi-aquatic species. Reclaiming these areas for urban development can result in the loss of habitats and the displacement of wildlife. This can have significant ecological impacts and affect the food chain and the ecosystem. Like Dal Lake in Srinagar.
• Water Quality: Reclaimed water bodies can become polluted due to urban runoff, sewage, and other sources of contamination. This can lead to a decline in water quality, which can have negative impacts on aquatic life and human health. Like Cooum River and Sabarmati River in India
• Flood Control: Water bodies serve an important role in flood control by absorbing excess water during heavy rains. Reclamation can disrupt this function and increase the risk of flooding in urban areas. Mumbai and Bangkok.
• Climate Change: Reclaiming water bodies can contribute to climate change by reducing the amount of carbon stored in the ecosystem. Water bodies store large amounts of carbon, and their destruction can lead to the release of this carbon into the atmosphere. Climate change has also been implicated in the decline of amphibians in tropical forests.
• Environmental Hazards: Disasters are created by negligence towards the natural and social contexts of infrastructure projects. Water reclamation for urban land use in the coastal areas may increase the incidents of earthquakes

Conclusion:

The reclamation of water bodies into urban land use can have significant environmental implications, including the loss of biodiversity, water quality degradation, increased flood risk and climate change.

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