About Deepor Beel
- Location: Perennial freshwater lake located on the outskirts of Guwahati, Assam.
- Origin: Former channel of the Brahmaputra River.
- Area: Covers 4.1 sq. km.
- Stormwater Basin: Major stormwater storage for Guwahati city.
- Outflow: Drains into the Khandajan rivulet, which joins the Brahmaputra.
- Ramsar Recognition: Declared a Ramsar Site in 2002 and an Important Bird and Biodiversity Area (IBA) in 2004.
- Unique Feature: Only Ramsar Site in Assam.
- Migratory Stopover: Staging site for migratory birds, with large concentrations of aquatic birds, especially in winter.
- Globally Threatened Species: Supports species like Spot-billed Pelican, Lesser and Greater Adjutant Stork, and Baer’s Pochard.
- Biodiversity: Home to about 50 fish species, supporting livelihoods of around 1,200 households from 12 villages around the wetland.
- Elephant Habitat: Rani and Garbhanga hills, located on the southern side of the beel, serve as a habitat for Asiatic elephants.
Pollution in Deepor Beel
Environmental Impact:
- Fish Diversity Decline: Pollution has severely reduced fish species and abundance in Deepor Beel, leading to some local varieties going extinct.
- Water Quality Deterioration: The water has become foul-smelling, with a slimy residue, causing domestic animals and wild elephants to avoid it. This has led to a decrease in the frequency of wildlife visits.
- Contaminated Water: The water’s high alkalinity and low dissolved oxygen levels indicate severe pollution from municipal waste and untreated sewage.
Socio-Economic Consequences:
- Fishing Livelihoods Threatened: Around 800 families rely on fishing in Deepor Beel. Fishermen report a significant drop in income, with good catches only occurring during the annual three-day community fishing event in January.
- Economic Value of Fishing: A study estimates the annual value of fishing in Deepor Beel at INR 11.64 crore, with a Net Present Value (NPV) of INR 97 crore. This highlights the economic importance of the wetland to the local community.
Causes of Pollution:
- Untreated Sewage: Discharge of untreated sewage from various city channels (Mora Bharalu, Basistha, Bahini, and Kalmoni rivers) pollutes the wetland.
- Garbage Dumping: Municipal solid waste, especially plastics, is dumped near Deepor Beel, leading to waste accumulation and increasing pollution, particularly during the dry season.
- Urbanization: Unplanned urban development, including real estate growth and infrastructure expansion, is further choking the wetland’s ecosystem.
Pollution Management Efforts:
- Community Activism: Local groups like Deepor Beel Suraksha Mancha have been advocating for changes, including the cessation of untreated sewage discharge and the removal of garbage.
- World Wetland Day Action: In 2023, three quintals of municipal waste were removed from the wetland.
- Environmental Hazards: The burning of waste at the municipal site is causing air pollution, creating health risks for nearby residents.
Government & Legal Oversight:
- NGT & Gauhati High Court: Despite judicial interventions, including directives from the National Green Tribunal (NGT) and Gauhati High Court, pollution levels remain unaddressed.
- Pollution Control Studies: Regular studies by Pollution Control Board Assam (PCBA) confirm the high levels of pollution, showing no significant improvement despite legal pressure.
Deepor Beel, Assam’s lone Ramsar site and an important bird sanctuary, is facing a severe environmental crisis due to pollution. The growing threat to biodiversity and the local community’s livelihoods calls for urgent government intervention and sustainable management practices. The wetland’s survival depends on halting waste dumping, sewage discharge, and unregulated urban development.
