GUWAHATI: Deepor Beel in Assam has been steadily losing its vitality, impacting not only the diverse wildlife that depends on it but also the lives of hundreds of fishermen families who rely on its waters for survival. This wetland, renowned for its rich biodiversity and cultural importance, is facing escalating pollution, endangering the local economy and the wellbeing of these communities.
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Deepor Beel, recognized as a Ramsar site, was once home to about 50 species of fish. But now, the consequences of unchecked pollution have disrupted this delicate ecosystem, affecting fish stocks and diminishing the resources available to local residents. For the 825 families who depend directly on fishing for their livelihood, these changes have brought hardship and anxiety.
Talking to GPlus, a fisherman who has spent his life working on the beel said, "Today’s Deepor Beel is quite different from what I remember from my childhood. Back then, the water was cleaner, and there was a wide variety of fish. Now, species are disappearing. We rarely find the ‘ornamental’ fish that we used to catch. Pollution has reduced both the quantity and quality of fish available. It is becoming extremely difficult to support our families now.”
Talking to GPlus, Pramod Kalita, General Secretary of Deepor Beel Suraksha Mancha said, "825 fishermen families are dependent. For generations, Deepor Beel has supported our community. But pollution has taken a toll on the beel. It’s not just about fish stocks dwindling; entire species of aquatic animals have vanished. This beel once had a rich variety of life, and now, we see it deteriorating every day.”
Kalita also added, “It is not just fish and aquatic life that are suffering,”
He further said, “Cattle, which graze near the beel, have begun consuming plastic waste. This is sad because the animals we rely on for milk and farming are getting sick. Plastic pollution is spreading throughout the area, and it feels like no one is doing enough to address it.”
Another fisherman in Deepor Beel talking to GPlus said, “Every day, we go out into the beel, hoping to catch enough fish to sell and feed our families. But it is no longer enough. We try to stay hopeful, but the future looks bleak if nothing changes.”
When questioned about the issue, a senior official from the Guwahati Municipal Corporation (GMC) talking to GPlus said, “We know that pollution is a serious issue, but solving it is complicated. The first challenge is identifying where the plastic and other waste is coming from. Only when we know the sources can we effectively stop the pollution from reaching Deepor Beel.”