Assam mulls beautification of bird sanctuary to woo tourists

A Ramsar site, Deepor Beel is a perennial freshwater lake, located 10 km south-west of Guwahati city.
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GUWAHATI:

The Assam government is contemplating a slew of steps to beautify Deepor Beel, a wetland and a bird sanctuary on the outskirts of Guwahati, to woo more tourists in the post-pandemic days.

A meeting was held at Janata Bhawan here to discuss issues relating to beautification of Deepor Beel on Wednesday evening.

Guwahati development department minister, Ashok Singhal; state environment and forest minister, Parimal Suklabaidya along with PCCF, wildlife, Amit Sahai, DFO, wildlife, Guwahati and other officials discussed threadbare issues relating to water pollution in some parts of the wetland and the need to clear the waste. 

The authorities also discussed the possibility of construction of a cycling track along the road beside the wetland.

A Ramsar site, Deepor Beel is a perennial freshwater lake, located 10 km south-west of Guwahati city, famous for its biological and environmental importance.

Covering an area of 414 hectares, Deepor Beel is home to over 200 species of birds, including about 70 species of migratory birds.

The wetland is also used by elephants as a major corridor.

The issue of realignment of the railway track in view of the eco-sensitivity of the wetland also figured in the meeting.

Forest minister Suklabaidya said the proposal has been sent by his department to the Government of India for realignment of the railway line running through the wetland which creates noise pollution and disturbs the migratory birds.

Clearance from the National Green Tribunal is expected once the eco sensitive zone is declared by the concerned authorities. 

(Edited by Christopher Gatphoh)

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