Guwahati: The Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has issued a draft notification declaring an Eco-Sensitive Zone (ESZ) around Deepor Beel, Assam’s only Ramsar site and one of the largest freshwater lakes in the state.
The notification, published in the Gazette of India, extends the ESZ over 38.84 sq km around the Deepor Beel Wildlife Sanctuary in Kamrup (Metro) district. The zone will range from 25.294 metres to five kilometres from the sanctuary’s boundary, depending on the direction, and will include four adjoining villages. The state government has been directed to prepare a zonal master plan within two years, in consultation with local communities, to regulate development and conservation in the region.
Rich biodiversity under threat
Deepor Beel, stretching up to 40 sq km during the monsoon and shrinking to around 10 sq km in winter, is recognised as a wetland of international importance under the Ramsar Convention. It is home to a rich diversity of flora and fauna, supporting more than 150 bird species including three critically endangered vultures, the greater adjutant stork, the spot-billed pelican, and the lesser adjutant stork. Migratory species such as the Pallas’s sea eagle and the fulvous whistling duck also frequent the wetland.
The lake also sustains 12 reptile species, 50 fish species, six amphibians, and 155 species of aquatic plants. Its surrounding forests and marshes are critical to the seasonal movement of Asian elephants from the nearby Rani and Garbhanga reserved forests, making the beel an integral part of their habitat.
Despite its ecological wealth, the wetland has come under severe pressure from Guwahati’s rapid urbanisation. The discharge of untreated sewage and industrial effluents, encroachment, railway expansion, and unplanned construction have placed its fragile ecosystem at risk. The government notification acknowledges these threats, noting that unchecked development could irreversibly damage the beel’s ecological character.
Activities prohibited and regulated
The draft ESZ notification lays down strict controls on activities within the designated area. New polluting industries, commercial mining, large hydroelectric projects, stone quarrying, brick kilns, sawmills, and large-scale poultry or livestock farms by corporations will be prohibited. Use of hazardous substances and disposal of untreated waste into the wetland or its catchment area are also banned.
Construction of hotels, resorts, and commercial establishments will not be allowed within one kilometre of the sanctuary boundary, while regulated eco-tourism infrastructure may be permitted beyond this limit under the zonal master plan. Non-polluting small-scale industries, traditional agriculture, horticulture, pisciculture, and eco-tourism activities may continue under regulation.
The notification encourages eco-friendly practices such as rainwater harvesting, organic farming, renewable energy use, afforestation, and restoration of degraded habitats. Special emphasis will be given to conserving both natural and cultural heritage sites in the zone.
Monitoring and implementation
To ensure compliance, the Centre has proposed a monitoring committee headed by the Deputy Commissioner of Kamrup (Metro), with members drawn from the forest, pollution control, tourism, agriculture, fisheries, and urban development departments. Representatives from Guwahati Municipal Corporation, NGOs, and academic institutions will also be included.
The committee will oversee enforcement of the ESZ guidelines, review development proposals, and report annually to the state government. It will also have the authority to take legal action against violations under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.
Public participation
The draft notification has been issued under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, and invites public objections or suggestions within 60 days from the date of publication. The final ESZ will be notified after examining feedback from stakeholders, including local residents, conservation groups, and industry representatives.
Conservationists have long warned that Deepor Beel’s ecological health is declining under mounting human pressure. The declaration of an Eco-Sensitive Zone, they say, is a much-needed step towards safeguarding Assam’s only Ramsar site for future generations.
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