Guwahati’s once-pristine Deepor Beel, a vital wetland and a Ramsar site, is now drowning in plastic waste
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At Deepor Beel, plastic waste is everywhere. Bottles, wrappers, and other discarded items float on the water, pushed by the current toward the banks. Cattle graze nearby, chewing on plastic mixed with the grass. Birds wade through the polluted water, some pecking at debris. The Boragaon dumping ground, just beside the wetland, adds to the mess, with garbage flowing into the beel whenever it rains.
Guwahati’s once-pristine Deepor Beel, a vital wetland and a Ramsar site, is now drowning in plastic waste. The beel, which was once a haven for migratory birds, elephants, and a thriving fish population, is now a dumping ground for garbage flowing in from the Bharalu and Bahini rivers. The city’s main landfill at Boragaon has only made things worse, turning this ecologically significant site into a toxic swamp.
Ironically, even as Deepor Beel struggles with unchecked pollution, the government has announced plans to develop an Urban Forest in Boragaon, near the same landfill that is contributing to the wetland’s decline. While authorities claim this initiative will boost greenery and help the environment, residents question whether the focus should first be on saving Deepor Beel from its worsening plastic crisis.
Residents, fishermen, and environmentalists are raising serious concern over the growing crisis.
The biggest question remains: are authorities doing enough, or is Deepor Beel heading toward irreversible destruction?
For the people living near Deepor Beel, plastic pollution is more than just an environmental issue—it’s a daily struggle. The garbage from Guwahati’s drains and rivers finds its way into the beel, poisoning its waters and affecting livelihoods.
Kesthoram Rongpipi, a 70-year-old resident, has spent his entire life by the beel. He remembers a time when it was a sight of breathtaking beauty, rich in fish and a paradise for birds. But today, he says, the beel has lost its charm.
"The water from Bharalu brings in a lot of garbage. On top of that, waste from the dumping ground flows into the beel. Our fish are disappearing. The beel does not look the same anymore; it has lost its beauty. It’s humiliating for us who have grown up here," Rongpipi told GPlus.
According to him, the government needs to urgently manage the plastic pollution. If the sewage water could be redirected into the Brahmaputra instead of Deepor Beel, and if the dumping ground was relocated, the wetland could be revived.
Deepor Beel is not just home to people but also to countless animals. The wetland is a crucial habitat for migratory birds, elephants, and other wildlife. However, with increasing pollution, even these animals are struggling to survive.
Promila Teron, a resident of Pamohi, has witnessed the impact of pollution on both domestic animals and wildlife.
"Too much plastic and dead organisms come floating into Deepor Beel. The Bharalu brings in sewage, and during monsoons, all the city’s waste washes into the beel. We graze our cattle near the beel, but they end up consuming plastic, leading to health problems," Teron told GPlus.
She also worries about the beel’s cultural significance. Many tourists visit Deepor Beel, but if pollution continues, its historical and traditional value will be lost.
"Elephants still come to drink water here, but it is no longer safe. Earlier, even deer used to come. Now they don’t. The government must step up efforts to protect this place," she added.
For the local fishing community, Deepor Beel’s pollution is a disaster. Many fish species have disappeared, and those that remain are dwindling in numbers.
Mukul Das, a fisherman, says the biggest issue is not just the dumping ground but also the unchecked flow of sewage from the Bharalu and Basistha rivers.
"People blame the dumping ground, but that’s only part of the problem. The Bharalu and Basistha bring in most of the pollution. People also throw garbage directly into the beel. We try to stop them, but not everyone listens. The fish population has collapsed. Species like Dorikona, Seng, Borduwa, Pabho, and Nisola are all gone. Only Tingira Puti remains," Das said.
He also raised concerns about the unknown chemicals and waste mixing with plastic in the beel.
"We don’t even know what comes with the plastic. If we see plastic, we pick it up, but what about the other pollutants?" he asked.
Another fisherman, who did not wish to be named, revealed a shocking practice:
"Some people block the water upstream, then release it all at once, carrying garbage from the dumping ground into the beel. Fishermen struggle because fish go into this garbage looking for food and perish instead. We asked the government for help, but nothing has been done. If they really cared, they would clean the beel and create jobs for people instead," he told GPlus.
The crisis extends beyond fish and wildlife. Farmers living near Deepor Beel say their cattle are also suffering due to plastic pollution.
"Plastic from the dumping ground ends up in the beel. It gets mixed with the soil, and our cows eat it. Many have died because of this. If plastic pollution continues, even fishing will become impossible. We need a solution now," another resident told GPlus.
Despite repeated concerns raised by locals, there has been little visible action from authorities. Garbage continues to pour into the beel, and with monsoon rains approaching, the situation is expected to worsen.
However, talking to GPlus, an official from the Guwahati Municipal Corporation (GMC) told GPlus that steps would be taken to address the problem.
"We first need to identify the sources of plastic waste before taking effective action to stop it from reaching Deepor Beel. We will take the necessary measures now," the official said.
However, residents and environmental activists argue that identifying sources is not enough. The problem has been known for years, yet no concrete steps have been taken to prevent waste from reaching the beel.
For now, Deepor Beel stands at a crossroads. Will authorities act before it’s too late, or will this once-thriving wetland become just another lost natural treasure?
Locals, fishermen, and conservationists are watching closely, hoping that this call for action will finally be heard.
