Why in News?
As of March 14, 2026, local residents have raised alarms over massive illegal soil excavation in the Kalshila wetland area, which is directly connected to Deepor Beel. This activity persists despite prohibitory orders from the district administration and restrictions by the Guwahati High Court.
Location
- Deepor Beel is a permanent freshwater lake in the Brahmaputra River valley, located on the southwestern outskirts of Guwahati, Assam.
- It is one of the largest and most significant wetlands in the Brahmaputra floodplain and is celebrated as Assam's only Ramsar site.
Ecological Status
- Ramsar Site: Designated in November 2002 for its international biological importance.
- Important Bird Area (IBA): Declared by BirdLife International; it supports over 200 bird species, including migratory ones like the Siberian crane and Pallas's sea eagle.
- Wildlife Sanctuary: A core area of 4.1 sq km is protected as the Deepor Beel Wildlife Sanctuary.
Hydrological Significance
- Guwahati's Kidney: It acts as the only major storm-water storage basin for Guwahati city, preventing catastrophic urban flooding.
- River Source: It is an erstwhile water channel of the Brahmaputra River.
Biodiversity
- Elephants: It is a critical foraging ground for wild Asian elephants from the Rani and Garbhanga Reserve Forests.
- Flora: Home to diverse aquatic plants like the Giant Water Lily (Euryale ferox) and water hyacinth.
- Fish: Supports roughly 50 fish species, providing a primary livelihood for approximately 1,200 local families.
Major Threats
- Pollution: Contamination from the Boragaon garbage dump and untreated urban sewage flowing through the Bharalu and Bahini rivers.
- Fragmentation: The existing railway track on its southern rim frequently leads to fatal elephant-train collisions.
- Encroachment: Rapid urban expansion has shrunk the wetland from an original ~40 sq km to a current area of roughly 13–15 sq km.
Conservation Initiatives
- Eco-Sensitive Zone (ESZ): The MoEFCC has notified an ESZ around the sanctuary to regulate commercial activities.
- Innovation: Local fishing community girls developed the 'Moorhen Yoga Mat', a biodegradable product made from invasive water hyacinth.
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