Cotton University Holds Meeting On Alternative Livelihood At Deepor Beel

GUWAHATI: Department of Environmental Biology and Wildlife Sciences, Cotton University organised a community meeting on the topic ‘Exploring Alternate Livelihood Options’ at Chakardo-Kalitapara—a village located adjacent to Deepor Beel. The meeting was part of a long-term project on the conservation of Deepor Beel.

Dr Narayan Sharma, Assistant Professor and Project Investigator speaking at the meeting highlighted the need to explore alternate livelihoods options in order to reduce the dependency of the locals on this important wetland of International repute. The participants suggested various alternate livelihoods measures that can be explored to not only reduce the local dependency on the Deepor Beel resources but also support local economy. The participants suggested measures such as making handicraft from water hyacinth, organic farming, value addition to the product produce by the villages, weaving in local handlooms and other vocational courses like mobile repairing and beautician training courses.

The possibility of implementing skill development training programmers taken up as CSR activities of various corporate and Government firms was also discussed in the meeting. Around 50 participants, mainly women and girls,actively participated in the interactive session. Promod Kalita, Secretary and Balen Kalita, President of the Kalitapara village committee presided over the meeting. Mayur Bawri from Cotton University, coordinated the entire event. The meeting ended with vote of thanks by Project Assistant Himangshu Kalita.

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