World Wetland Day 2019 by ENVIS Hub Assam at Deepar Beel
Deepor Beel is a freshwater lake located in the south western part of the city, Guwahati. Beel is an Assamese local word which means lake and Dipor Bil is considered as one of the biggest lakes of the Brahmaputra valley of Lower Assam. It is surrounded by steep highlands on the northern and southern sides and its main sources of water are the Kalmani and Basistha Rivers. One will get to see many aquatic types of vegetation here which comprise of the water lilies, water hyacinth, aquatic grasses and many other types of floating vegetations. About 18 genera of phytoplankton are found here in this Beel. There are also many deciduous trees in this basin of which the most commonly found is the teak. Many other medicinal plants, aquarium plants and orchids of commercial value are found in the surrounding areas of the lake. This Beel is also a habitat for a wide variety of birds some of which are even migratory birds. The spot billed pelican is the main attraction here. The Siberian crane is also spotted here many a times. Among the animals you have the snakes, turtle, tortoise, lizards and many species of fishes. Many wild animals like the jungle cat, Chinese porcupine, Asian elephants and leopard have been preserved here. This Beel also serves as a source of income for many people living nearby who earn their livelihood from fishing.
The Deepor Beel is a Wildlife Sanctuary of the Government of Assam and an important Ramsar site since 2002.
On 2nd February 2019 the ENVIS Hub Assam went to the Deepor Beel and organised a cleanliness drive and an awareness programme highlighting the importance of wetlands.