Staff reporter
Guwahati: In a major stride toward environmental conservation and cultural preservation, the Assam Tourism Development Corporation (ATDC), in collaboration with Welspun, has launched an innovative eco-friendly initiative to clean and rejuvenate Dighalipukhuri—one of Guwahati’s most historically and ecologically significant water bodies. The project, unveiled on Thursday, promises to breathe new life into the lake through the use of advanced Indian biotechnology.
Located in the heart of the city, Dighalipukhuri spans a vast expanse, holding over 285 million litres of water. In a bid to reverse this decline, the new initiative will deploy SABRE (Stabilized Aerobic/Anaerobic Bioengineered Reaction Environment) technology, a homegrown innovation developed and endorsed by IIT Kanpur.
The restoration will be carried out in a non-invasive manner, ensuring minimal disruption to the lake’s surroundings and heritage. The core objectives of the project include breaking down green algae to improve water clarity, increasing the dissolved oxygen levels to over 6 mg/L to support aquatic life, and reducing accumulated bottom sludge without disturbing the lake’s historical features. Additionally, the initiative aims to eliminate microplastics and harmful pollutants from the water, all while maintaining noise levels below 50 decibels to preserve the natural tranquility of the area.
The project is being spearheaded by Dr. Liam Ryan, an Ireland-born environmental scientist and project head at Welspun. With over ten years of experience in India working on sustainable water restoration, Dr. Ryan brings deep expertise to the task.
Kumar Padmapani Borah, Managing Director of ATDC, outlined the broader mission of the initiative: “This effort goes beyond just water cleaning. Our aim is to restore the ecological balance of Dighalipukhuri, making it a safe and vibrant aquatic environment, while ensuring that the process itself remains unobtrusive to the area’s calm and heritage-rich surroundings.”
Also Read: Guwahati Residents Clean Dighalipukhuri Amid Government Inaction
Also Watch: