Assam: Cabinet Ministers Inspects Encroachment Around Deepor Beel In A Boat

GUWAHATI: The lone Ramsar site in the state, Deepor Beel, has been the subject of inspections by cabinet ministers of Assam as a part of the ongoing process to clear the water bodies of the city/

A day after Ashok Singhal, the minister of urban affairs, conducted an aerial survey of the city, the ministers of tourism, Jayanta Malla Baruah and the water resources minister, Pijush Hazarika went on an inspection using a boat on Thursday.

In an effort to restore the natural water reservoir and rid the city of urban flooding, they have ordered the Guwahati Metropolitan Development Authority (GMDA) conduct a study of the area.

The Deepor Beel is now just 4 sq km in the winter and 10 sq km in the summer, down from 40 sq km fifty years ago.

Wetlands are recognised to offer a variety of social and environmental functions, but the delicate ecology of Deepor Beel is in danger, according to Baruah.

“In accordance with the chief minister's directives, we investigated a number of locations close to the beel and requested that the relevant officials conduct a survey to see whether Brahmaputra waters may be redirected to the Deepor Beel during the monsoon”, stated Baruah. 

According to Singhal, the preservation of the Deepor, the Silsako Beel, and other reservoirs is crucial to preventing Guwahati from experiencing ongoing floods during the monsoon.

"Unfortunately, because of widespread encroachment, these reservoirs' ability to contain water has reduced. Along with the revenue department, steps will be taken to remove all such encroachments," he continued.

The Assam government on Wednesday announced that it has started a vigorous campaign against encroachments at the natural water body to protect Guwahati from the menace of artificial floods. The campaigns are currently being carried out by the Guwahati Metropolitan Development Authority (GMDA) at the Silsako Beel, a protected wetland in the city.

A significant reservoir for stormwater runoff from the city is Silsako Beel.

In 2008, the state government recognised Silsako as a protected waterbody, outlawing settlement and construction inside the 1,800 bigha designated area.

Also Read: Assam: Woman Cuts Off Man’s Genital As An Act Of Self Defence

Also Watch: