The Institute of Environmental Studies and Wetland Management (IESWM) was set up in the year 1986 under the Department of Fisheries, Govt. of West Bengal. It was brought under the Department of Environment, Govt. of West Bengal in 1998. It is a Society registered under the Societies Registration Act 1961. It has experts and personnel from technical, administrative and financial fields. The Institute also engages Consultants and Domain Experts from time to time on specific projects with a definitive timeline. We are supported by Environment Department and also have advisory support from domain experts in the Country.

I) The Institute primarily deals providing support and as an R&D unit of the Department of Enviroment.

a) Presently, the research activities of the Institute include two broad streams:

• Remote Sensing and Geographical Information System Unit (RSGIS unit) – that works with Geospatial Information Systems which deal with the CRZ mapping & state Wetland mapping.
  • Under the Remote Sensing and Geographical Information System Unit (RSGIS Unit) we undertake various CRZ mapping projects, from prospective project proponents who want to undertake developmental activities in the Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ).
  • This includes preparation of maps, reports and requisite documents, that help in seeking clearance under CRZ Notification from the West Bengal State Coastal Zone Management Authority (WBSCZMA).
• The Chemistry and Microbiology Unit (CMU)- that deals with:
  • measuring pollution in soil, water, vegetables, fishes anything that has a bearing on human life.
  • various studies/projects to ascertain the toxicity of heavy metals in the vegetable produce in the agricultural fields, fishes produced in the different bheris, quality of water, soil, etc.

II) The Institute also deals with providing Geospatial & CRZ related information to Business and other entities (G2B services) like:

a) Providing status and classification of CRZ, maps of CRZ and clarity on CRZ issues.

b) The Institute has a enviable client base of having done projects in

• Making CRZ Mapping for almost 40 entities namely, Kolkata Port Trust (KoPT), Coast Guard, Defence Research & Development Org (DRDO), Indian Oil Corp Ltd (IOCL), and numerous departments of the State Govt like – WBSEDCL, PHE dept, PWD dept, Tourism dept etc.
• Making CRZ status reports for almost 250 entities like – Tajpur Port, Gangasagar Bakkhaali Development Authority, Forest dept, Tourism dept, numerous Hotels, Resorts, Retreats and Tourist Lodges, PWD dept for bridges, Parks and Reserves, Ice Factories, Brick Kilns, and the Land & Land Reforms Dept.

III) The Institute also acts as the support wing to the State Coastal Zone Management Authority & to other parastatals of the Environment Department, like the State Pollution Control Board, East Kolkata Wetland Authority et al.
IV) The Institute provides support to the State Wetland Authority and has been extensively engaged in protecting and preserving the diverse wetlands of the State. Wetlands are the most important feature in the quest for a sustainable and productive ecosystem in this riverine and deltaic topography of Bengal.

The IESWM is committed to the pledge of achieving zero emission, green and clean environment with the overall purpose to assist development and growth in the State and the Country vide a holistic approach towards ecological security with economic development and sustainable growth.