GUWAHATI: The residents of areas surrounding Deepor Beel, a crucial wetland near Guwahati, have voiced serious concerns over rising pollution caused by the Boragaon dumping ground and the construction of a new railway line.
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A press meet was held on December 16 to address the pollution and the potential threats posed by the ongoing construction of a new railway line passing through the Deepor Beel area and the Rani-Garbhanga Reserve Forest.
Deepor Beel, a vast wetland on the outskirts of Guwahati, holds international significance as a Ramsar Site since 2002 and was declared an Important Bird Area (IBA) in 2004. Despite this, unchecked urbanization, unscientific waste management, and government inaction have pushed the wetland towards ecological collapse.
The Guwahati Municipal Corporation (GMC) has come under fire for failing to comply with environmental regulations. The National Green Tribunal (NGT) had earlier directed mandatory conservation of Deepor Beel under the Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016 and the Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules, 2017. However, the GMC continues to use the dumping site in Boragaon, leading to soil, water, and air pollution.
Key Concerns Raised by the locals:
* Water Contamination: Multiple reports, including from the Assam Pollution Control Board (APCB), confirm that water from Deepor Beel has excessive Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD), far beyond the permissible limit of 3 mg/l. Pollution from solid waste dumping and urban runoff has severely affected aquatic life and biodiversity.
* Air Pollution: Data collected during the burning of waste at the Boragaon dumping site shows dangerous levels of particulate matter, far exceeding safety standards. This has caused health issues for nearby residents, including school children.
* Railway Line Threat: The construction of a new railway line from Azara to Tetelia through Deepor Beel and Rani-Garbhanga Reserve Forest has raised fears of further habitat destruction. Experts and local communities warn that this development could displace indigenous people and harm the wetland’s fragile ecosystem.
* Violation of Rules: GMC’s current waste management practices violate several norms. According to the Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016, a dumping site must maintain a buffer zone of 500 meters, should not be located near rivers or flood-prone areas, and must include a green belt. None of these conditions have been met at Boragaon.
* Impact on Local Livelihoods: Farmers, fishermen, and cattle owners living near Deepor Beel are experiencing severe economic hardships due to pollution. Contaminated water has destroyed aquatic vegetation, fish species, and grazing lands for livestock.
Residents’ Demands: Local residents and environmental activists have urged authorities to:
* Immediately relocate the illegal dumping ground at Boragaon.
* Prevent polluted water from the Morabharalu, Basistha, and Bahini rivers from flowing into Deepor Beel.
* Stop the construction of the railway line through the wetland and surrounding forest areas.
* Implement decentralized waste management systems in Guwahati, as previously proposed.
Despite court rulings and clear evidence of environmental damage, no significant action has been taken by the authorities so far. Residents emphasized that protecting Deepor Beel is crucial not just for the local population but for maintaining the ecological balance of the region.