28-Effect of urbanisation on Deepar Beel in the city of Guwahati, Assam, India

Abstract

Deepar Beel on which the present study is focused is a natural fresh water lake locally known as "Beel". Deepar Beel, a Ramasar site, is situated on the southern bank of river Brhamputra. It is a wetland of riverine importance in the southwestern fringe of city of Guwahati covering an area of 4000 ha. In January 1989, the Forest Department, Govt. of Assam declared the wetland as a wildlife sanctuary. However, the sanctuary covers only 414 ha of the total Deepar Beel area. In Sept. 1993, Govt. of India declared the wetland as one of the 17 wetlands of national significance. The beel got the international recognition as a Ramasar site in October 2002. The beel serves as a major natural storm water reservoir for the entire Guwahati city. The geology of the surrounding, the hydrology of the in-flowing and outflowing streams viz. the Bharalu, Kalmani, Basistha and Khanjan and the nature of land use in the adjoining area greatly influenced the beel development and transformation in the present day status. The quality of soil and water of Deepar Beel and its connecting water bodies and the concentration of trace elements in the bottom sediments of the beel is presented herein.