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Guwahati Wildlife Division under the Assam Forest Department has recently carried out their second Bird Species Count Exercise after February 2022 in Deepor Beel Wetland. This wetland is a notable Ramsar Site located in Assam. The count showcased an increased diversity and number of bird species compared to the previous count.
Deepor Beel: A Unique Ecosystem
Deepor Beel is one of the largest freshwater lakes in Assam, recognized as an Important Bird Area by Birdlife International. A Ramsar Site since November 2002, the lake lies southwest of Guwahati city and was once a water channel of the Brahmaputra River. Its size fluctuates according to the season, extending up to 30 sq. km in summers and shrinking down to around 10 sq. km in winters. The Assam Forest Department manages a wildlife sanctuary covering 4.1 sq.km at the heart of Deepor Beel.
The Importance of Deepor Beel
Deepor Beel is valuable for both its biological and environmental significance. Supporting diverse aquatic flora and avian fauna, it also serves as a crucial storm-water basin for Guwahati city. Moreover, a number of local families depend on it for their livelihood. In 2021, six young girls from the local fishing community developed a biodegradable and compostable yoga mat, aptly named ‘Moorhen Yoga Mat’. The wetland also borders the Rani Reserve Forest, and elephants often visit to forage on its aquatic plants.
Challenges Faced By Deepor Beel
However, Deepor Beel also faces significant threats. It has suffered pollution due to a garbage dump on its periphery at Paschim Boragaon, leading to toxic water and loss of aquatic plants – the primary food source for visiting elephants. Further, a railway track on its southern rim, poised to be expanded and electrified, poses another serious challenge. Encroachment from human habitation and commercial units has also put pressure on this unique ecosystem.
Other Protected Areas in Assam
Apart from Deepor Beel, Assam houses seven national parks and 17 wildlife sanctuaries, all of which play a critical role in conserving the state’s rich biodiversity.
About UPSC Civil Services Examination, Previous Year Question (PYQ)
In the 2013 examination, a question on national parks and rivers flowing through them was asked. In response, we clarify that the Jim Corbett National Park’s primary water source is river Ramganga, a tributary of river Ganga. Kaziranga National Park, home to two-thirds of the world’s one-horned rhinoceros, is circumscribed by the Brahmaputra River, not the Manas River as given in the question. Finally, the Silent Valley National Park in Kerala drains from north to south by River Kuntipuzha, not the Kaveri River. None of the pairs provided in the question was correctly matched.
Last Modified: February 19, 2024