GUWAHATI: Assam Tourism Minister Bimal Borah has said that the Government is planning to construct a minimum of 100 houseboats at Deepor Beel in Guwahati to attract tourism to the Ramsar site. Apart from houseboats, a bird tower will also be constructed for people to enjoy different bird species in their natural habitat. Encroachers on the wetland will be evicted within the next 10 days.
The information was provided by Borah in the Assam Assembly in response to a question for the development of the wetland by West Guwahati MLA Ramendra Narayan Kalita on December 20.
Kalita stated that work did not progress till date despite Rs10 crore being allotted in 2018-19 under the Signature Project. He added that another Rs 4 crore was allotted in 2020-21 for the development of Deepor Beel, Guwahati. He questioned the Government on the delay, despite monetary sanction and asked for a specific time limit.
Bimal Borah in his response said that although the Tourism Department has proposed various developments to attract tourists, they have been restricted by the Forest Department as the wetland is a Bird Sanctuary.
“The Kamrup Metropolitan District Administration has also allotted 19 bigha 1 katha of land near Deepor Beel for construction of amenities for tourists, but work could not be progressed due to certain issues,” Borah said.
Bimal Borah, however, assured that in a recent meeting with the Forest and Tourism Departments, the Assam government has now decided to construct the needful in a plot of land of the Forest Department within a week’s time.
When questioned about the unscientific dumping at the new Boragaon Dumping site again, similar to the old ones, that is hampering the migratory birds, Borah urged Minister Ashok Singhal to take up the matter.
Further, in matters of encroachment at Deepor Beel, Bimal Borah directed the authorities to conduct eviction of encroachers in the next 10 days.
