Letters to the Editor

Brahmaputra: Assam's beauty

Among the largest rivers on earth, Brahmaputra is a notable one. Brahmaputra’s source is the Angsi Glacier, located on the northern side of the Himalayas in Burang county of Tibet. The source of the river was earlier thought to be on the Chemayung dung glacier, which covers the slopes of the Himalayas about 60 miles (100 1cm) southeast of Lake Mapam in south-western Tibet. Brahmaputra means son of Lord Brahma, one of the Hindu gods. It is one of the few masculine rivers on earth. The river is the life-line of Assam. It has been nurturing Assam’s livelihood, culture, topography since ages. In Assam, the river is mighty, even in the dry season, and during the rains its banks are more than 5 miles (8 km) apart. At Saraighat in Guwahati, the river is at its rrowest. Its main tributaries from the hills and from the plateau to the south are the Burhi Dihing, the Disang, the Dikhu, and the Kopili.

Brahmaputra has always been an inspiration for the people of Assam in all art forms. The me Brahmaputra is believed to be derived from the Bodo tribal term ‘Bhullam-Buthur’. It means making a gurgling sound. The river and its tributaries offers immense scope for adventure sport and recreation. Tributaries like Mas, Jia Bharali and Kopili have some fiery rapids that make them ideal for white water rafting. The lives of millions of Indian citizens are reliant on the river Brahmaputra. Its delta is home to 130 million people and 600000 people live in the riverine islands. Periodic flooding is a tural phenomenon which is ecologically important because it helps maintain the lowland grasslands and associated wildlife. Periodic floods also deposit fresh alluvium, replenishing the fertile soil of the Brahmaputra river valley. Thus flooding, agriculture, and agricultural practices are closely connected.

People and communities in 22 districts of Assam use river Brahmaputra for meeting their livelihood in the form of wading of cattle, fishing, and cultivation of different types of crops, irrigation and riverine transport. Ten ports/ferry ghats in five districts of Assam, mely, Kamrup, Barpeta, Sonitpur, Jorhat and Dibrugarh are fully operatiol for transportation of men, material and animals. Operation of ferry services has given rise to creation of employment for 5344 persons. River Brahmaputra and its tributaries carry more than 30 per cent of the total water resources potential of the country. Nineteen important tourist hot spots in the State are situated in places on the banks of river Brahmaputra. Cruise tourism has emerged as an important adventure and pleasure tourism across the river. CNN Intertiol, in 2013, has recognised Brahmaputra cruises as one of the top 10 most adventure cruises. So river Brahmaputra is a priceless boon to the people of Assam and to look after its purity is our duty and responsibility.

Sukalpa Dhar,

4E, Prakash Enclave,

HJNo.9, Harabala Road, Ulubari,

Guwahati – 781007.