GUWAHATI: Assam Environmental NGO Forum, the apex body of twelve nature and wildlife-related NGOs of the State, observed the World Wetland Day at Khamranga Beel located between Thakurkuchi and Hajongbori village, Chandrapur on the outskirts of Guwahati.
A group of students from local Don Bosco & Chandrapur High School participated in the World Wetland Day programme where Arannya Surakha Samittee coordinator Nitul Nath gave an introduction to the students on the Day. Moloy Baruah, president of Early Birds, narrated the history of Khamranga Beel and its decaying episode, a press release said. He said large birds like pelican did visit this wetland till 1990-91. After the declaration of Amchang as a wildlife sanctuary, the Beel was attached to it as it had been declared earlier in 1996 as forest land. Wetland boundary pillars were erected by Kamrup East Division of Assam Forest. Later on it was handed over to the wildlife wing in 2005.
According to the release, due to negligence of the wildlife division, no rule of law was enforced and people of the surroundings even dug ponds for fish culture in the Beel. The release further said that many institutions near the Beel have bought cultivable land and erected various structure.
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