Integrated approach involving locals required to save Deepor Beel: Workshop

 GUWAHATI: Although the Deepor Beel is now almost an ‘urban wetland, surrounded by what can be called ‘urban villages’ in the western precincts of Guwahati city, the so-called advantage of being in ‘urbane’ proximity has not helped the cause of conservation and protection of this Ramsar Site, an internationally important wetland. Rather rapid urbanisation and allied pressure have emerged as threats to the existence of the beel.

In a fast-changing socio-ecological backdrop, the wetland can survive only if it is managed with an integrated approach that includes the local people. There is a lot to be done to mobilize the local communities to play an effective role in preserving and co-managing the beel sustainably in partnership with government agencies and civil society.

In view of that, Aaranyak (www.aaranyak.org), the region’s leading research-oriented biodiversity conservation non-profit organisation, organised a consultation workshop on ‘The Role of Community in Conservation and Sustainable Management of the Deepor Beel to reconnect to the local people and to discuss how collectively we can ensure the protection and preservation of the beel.

The consultation was held recently in collaboration with the Paschim Guwahati Mahavidyalaya (PGM), Dharapur, and Kamrup Metropolitan Districts at the conference hall of the college.

Several resource persons, such as Dr Rana Sarmah, Principal, PGM; Dr Sudip Kanta Basistha, GIZ-India; Dr Bibhuti Prasad Lahkar, Senior Scientist from Aaranyak; Rituraj Dewan, Simang Collectives Pvt Ltd.; Dr Bidyut Bikash Sharma, Department of Environmental Science, Gauhati University; and Dr Marie Kalita, Faculty in the English Department, PGM, addressed the audience and spoke about the different dimensions of the importance of the wetland for the lives and livelihoods of the people and the environmental security and sustainability of the wet

Umed Ali Ahmed of Dharapur and Mukul Das of Matia addressed the gathering as community representatives. Both provided valuable information and insight from an insider’s perspective, highlighting intricate socio-ecological issues.

The meeting concluded with the overall message that the government, local people, and civil society must act in tandem with an integrated management approach for the protection of the Deepor Beel and improve the livelihood situation of the riparian people, a press release said.

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