24-Study of aquatic macrophytes in Borbeel of Dibrugarh District-Assam(India)

Abstract

In Assam, there are a large number of wetlands in the flood plains of the Brahmaputra and Borak River. Wetland locally known as Beel, play a vital role in maintaining the quality of environment.The aquatic macrophytes has definite influence in the ecology of the wetland. The Borbeel, is situated in the Dibrugarh district of Assam at a distance of 3 km northwest of 37-NH (national highway) and south west of the river Buridihing. The area covered by the water body of the beel is about 50 hectors. There are two smaller beels such as Ecorani and Gergeri, which are the part of the main beel. The preliminary survey of the area reveals that it exhibits a varied range of vegetation comprising of freshwater algae, fungi, bryophytes, pteridophytes in the cryptograms as well as several aquatics and marshy plants from angiosperms. In summer large part of the beel are covered by aquatic macrophytes like Eichhornia,Nymphaea,Trapa, Nelumbo, Hydrilla,etc. and varieties of aquatic grasses, like Cyperus sp, Fimbristylis etc. During winter also the beel is covered with many kinds of floating, emergent and submerged aquatic macrophytes. Moreover various types of fishes and both local and migratory birds are found in the beel. The preliminary scrutiny of the area reveals that due to human intervention gradually some birds, animals and aquatic plants also become extinct from the locality. The primary threat to the wetland is fishing and poaching of birds. The decrease in population of birds and water animals threaten the bio-diversity of the beel. Therefore it is necessary to make awareness among the people to protect the beel. The present paper deals with the survey and identification of different aquatic macrophtes in the beefs. Moreover an attempt has been made to stress the need for a balance between biodiversity conservation socio-economic developments of the local population. The study suggests that this wetland when fully developed will be an excellent site for research work and tourism and therefore can fetch revenue for the state besides conservation of flora and fauna.