Deepor Beel

Deepor Beel

Why in News?

  • Guwahati Wildlife Division of the Assam Forest Department has recently conducted the 2nd Bird Species Count Exercise after February 2022 in Deepor Beel Wetland, which is the only Ramsar Site in Assam.

Highlights

  • Altogether 26,747 birds belonging to 96 species were recorded during a bird count at the Deepor Beel wetland. There were 10,289 individuals across 66 species in 2022.
  • The bird count revealed greater species diversity and an increase in the total number of species.
  • It is one of the largest freshwater lakes in Assam and an Important Bird Area by Birdlife International.
  • Deepor Beel has been designated as a Ramsar Site in November, 2002
  • It is located towards the southwest of Guwahati city, Assam and is the erstwhile water channel of River Brahmaputra.
  • The lake expands up to 30 sq. km in summer and reduces to about 10 sq. km in the winter.
  • The Assam Forest Department manages the 4.1 sq km Deepor Beel Wildlife Sanctuary in the central part of the greater wetland named Deepor Beel
  • It constitutes a unique habitat for aquatic flora and avian fauna.
  • It has both biological and environmental importance besides being the only major storm-water storage basin for Guwahati city.
  • It provides a means of livelihood for a number of local families.
  • In 2021 six young girls from the fishing community from Assam have developed a biodegradable and compostable yoga mat called ‘Moorhen Yoga Mat’.
  • Deepor Beel adjoins the Rani Reserve Forest from where herds of elephants come periodically to forage in the wetland.
Share Socially