Deepor Beel : Anthropogenic Threat

Deepor Beel : Anthropogenic Threat

Deepor Beel, a vital wetland in Guwahati, Assam, faces anthropogenic threats despite its protected status. Indigenous names like “beel” signify cultural and ecological connections, with local livelihoods intertwined with the wetland’s resources.

• Efforts to sustainably coexist with the wetland include initiatives by local women who convert water hyacinths into products, offering employment and improving the ecosystem’s health.
• Similarly, “Kumbhi Kagaz” produces biodegradable paper from water hyacinths, enhancing the wetland’s condition and supporting alternative livelihoods.
• The example can be used to highlight how local knowledge and communities can be incorporated into sustainable conservation efforts.

Deepor Beel:

• Situated in the southwest of Guwahati, Assam, Deepor Beel is not only one of the largest freshwater lakes in the region but also holds the distinction of being the state’s sole Ramsar site.
• It’s recognized as an Important Bird Area by Birdlife International and was once a water channel of the Brahmaputra River.