The Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), released ‘Excreta Matters’ – its 71-city study of how India’s urban centres manage their water and sewage in Kolkata on 1 September, 2012. The study focused on Kolkata's water and sewerage issues and suggested a way forward. His Excellency the Governor of West Bengal Shri M. K. Narayanan and the honorable Union Minister of State for Urban Development Shri Saugata Roy jointly released the report.
The emphasis was on protecting the East Kolkata Wetlands as they are crucial for the city's very survival, augmenting the sewerage system and maintaining its current dual character that carries both storm water and sewage. The Wetlands need protection from land sharks as the 12,500-odd hectare spread are extremely valuable real estate and the State Government has started sanctioning construction on its fringes.