33rd Indian National Games on a Ramsar site wetland

[Guest guest]

The 33rd Indian National Games Committee has developed a brilliant

idea of converting one of the most precious wetlans of India- Deepor

Beel, a Ramsar site into a game venue.

 

Such desperate attempts by the Government of India and the local

governments in India can be seen as a direct threat to the ecology

and bio diversity of this wetland.

 

By allowing sports like canoeing and kayaking in this wetland which

is being used every year by thousands of migratory birds, elephants

and other species as a source of food and reproduction, shall

certainly have a dangerous result.

 

Most of the aquatic plants and the water bodies are bound to be

destroyed once this wetland is allowed to hold such sporting

activities. There is already an existing threat to the wetland from

the dozens of fishing boats that ply on this wetland and constantly

damage the plants and grass through the cycle of their paddles.

 

Also the recent move by the Governemnt of Assam to dump tonnes of

solid waste inside the wetland is slowly poisoning the water.

 

Following is a news report that appeared in today`s The Telegraph of

Guwahati.

 

Azam Siddiqui

 

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Link:

http://www.telegraphindia.com/1060811/asp/guwahati/story_6597825.asp

 

 

Deepor Beel for water sports

A STAFF REPORTER

Guwahati, Aug 10: Games Technical Conduct Committee (GTCC) chairman

and Rowing Federation of India president K.P. Singh Deo today

advised the organising committee of the 33rd National Games not to

spread out its events across other districts. He specifically

suggested that water sports be held at Deepor Beel here.

 

While inspecting the infrastructure developed for the National Games

so far, the sports stalwart felt that Deepor Beel was the ideal

venue for rowing and canoeing and kayaking. These two disciplines

were supposed to be held at Saron Beel in Morigaon district.

 

Singh Deo was accompanied by GTCC member and technical director for

the Commonwealth Games 2010, A.S.V. Prasad, during the inspection

tour. The visiting duo carried out a thorough inspection of all

infrastructure and expressed satisfaction over the progress made so

far.

 

According to Singh Deo, it would not be wise to hold these two

aquatic events in a far-flung venue when Deepor Beel was located

within the very city to which the Indian Olympic Association had

awarded the Games.

 

Confirming the development, an organising committee functionary said

the GTCC chief has " suggested it but he is not insisting on it " .

 

" He has enquired about the pros and cons of both venues and

expressed his view that there was still enough time to develop

Deepor Beel for the National Games. This would be ideal in all

respects, " an office-bearer of the organising committee said.

 

Saron Beel was finalised as the venue after dredging of Deepor Beel

by the Assam Science Technology and Environment Council got mired in

legal and financial problems. Also, there was little time for

completing the venue by the earlier deadline for the National Games.

The federations concerned had also rejected the proposal to develop

the Sualkuchi Brahmaputra backwater stream.

 

Singh Deo met representatives from the state sports associations and

the Assam Olympic Association later in the evening.