Guwahati's wetland turned into garbage dump

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Link: http://www.ndtv.com/environment/Urbanconcerns.asp?

id=91173 & callid=1

 

Guwahati's wetland turned into garbage dump

Gayatri Bhattacharjee

 

Tuesday, August 8, 2006 (Guwahati):

 

Unchecked urban development and the callousness of the public have

turned Deepor Beel, Guwahati's last remaining wetland, into a

garbage dump.

 

Lakhan Terang, a local wildlife enthusiast, has been tracking the

elephants and birds that migrate to Deepor Beel during the tourist

season.

 

" This herd comes down every year. Last year, they were here for 28

days, and this year, it is already 23 days. We suspect that some of

the calves are very weak, and they come down to eat some medicinal

plants available here. There are 140 medicinal plants that are

traditionally used here so many migratory birds come here and lay, "

says Terang.

 

However, despite the fact that the wetland has been declared a

Ramsar site, it seems to be endangered.

 

The administration's apathy combined with the callousness of

Guwahati's citizens has resulted in the site becoming nothing more

than a garbage dump.

 

Not only is it harming the environment but Assam has also lost out

on what could otherwise have been a big tourist attraction.

 

" This is a bad decision by the municipality. This is actually Deepor

Beel land and will harm this wetland. It is dangerous. We had

protested but to no avail, " adds Terang.

 

There have been demands from agencies across the world to save this

ecologically crucial wetland, but the government of the state is yet

to wake up.

---

 

 

The above news report was shot by me. One good news is that the

elephant herd that lost one young calf and was camping in the

wetland for more than 28days has now gone inside the adjoining Rani

forest range. This is a good piece of news since the other young

elephants in the herd needed nourishment and seemed to be weak

surviving on just the aqatic plants and grass in the wetlands. We

hope they get plenty to eat in the fast diminishing jungles.

 

Azam Siddiqui