India loses one-third of its natural islands in last four decades

India has lost one-third of its natural wetlands to urbanisation, agriculture expansion and pollution over a period of last four decades. As per a study by non-profit organisation Wetlands International South Asia, the maximum wetland loss during 1970 and 2014 was recorded in Mumbai from 4.58 sq km to 1.3 sq km (71%) as the built-up area increased from 149 sq km to 1074 sq km. Mumbai is followed by Ahmedabad (57%), Bengaluru (56%), Hyderabad (55%), Delhi NCR (38%), and Pune (37%).