GUWAHATI: The State Minister for Housing and Urban Affairs, Ashok Singhal, on Wednesday, officially inaugurated the bioremediation process of beel water at Silsako Beel in Guwahati. The Bioremediation process of Silsako Beel was inaugurated and the diversion of the Bahini River into the Silsako was demonstrated.
Bioremediation refers to any process wherein a biological system (typically bacteria, microalgae, fungi, and plants), living or dead, is employed for removing environmental pollutants from air, water, soil, flue gasses, industrial effluents etc., in natural or artificial settings. The Guwahati Metropolitan Development Authority (GMDA) has started a project which was inaugurated today wherein the water flowing from Bahini and other river channels to Silsako will be “filtered”, said a GMDA source.
Singhal emphasised the importance of preserving water bodies and wetlands, highlighting their significance for future generations.
He expressed concerns about the adverse consequences if these natural resources are not properly preserved, leading to an imbalance in nature.
Singhal praised the bioremediation process adopted by the Guwahati Metropolitan Development Authority (GMDA) for Silsako Beel. The process aims to improve the water holding capacity and quality of the beel through mining, de-siltation, cleaning, and other scientific remedial measures.
It may be noted that during the event, a group of women, claiming to have been evicted during the eviction drive at the Silsako Beel, staged a protest.
Singhal addressed their concerns after the program concluded, engaging with the protesting women and invited a ten-member delegation to his official residence on May 15 for further discussions on their demands.
"After removing the sludge from the silt traps, bioremediation will engage plants and microbes feeding on pollutants to clean the water body. JM Enviro will be looking after the bioremediation project," the GMDA source said.