Bird Species Count in Deepor Beel

• 10 Jan 2023

Why in News?

Recently, Guwahati Wildlife Division of the Assam Forest Department conducted the 2^nd Bird Species Count Exercise after February 2022 in Deepor Beel Wetland, which is the only Ramsar Site in Assam.

• Altogether 26,747 birds belonging to 96 species were recorded during a bird count at the Deepor Beel wetland. There were 10,289 individuals across 66 species in 2022.
• The bird count revealed greater species diversity and an increase in the total number of species.

What is Deepor Beel?

• About:
  • It is one of the largest freshwater lakes in Assam and an Important Bird Area by Birdlife International.
  • Deepor Beel has been designated as a Ramsar Site in November, 2002
  • It is located towards the southwest of Guwahati city, Assam and is the erstwhile water channel of River Brahmaputra.
  • The lake expands up to 30 sq. km in summer and reduces to about 10 sq. km in the winter.
  • The Assam Forest Department manages the 4.1 sq km Deepor Beel Wildlife Sanctuary in the central part of the greater wetland named Deepor Beel.
• Importance:
  • It constitutes a unique habitat for aquatic flora and avian fauna.
  • It has both biological and environmental importance besides being the only major storm-water storage basin for Guwahati city.
  • It provides a means of livelihood for a number of local families.
    • In 2021 six young girls from the fishing community from Assam have developed a biodegradable and compostable yoga mat called ‘Moorhen Yoga Mat’.
  • Deepor Beel adjoins the Rani Reserve Forest from where herds of elephants come periodically to forage in the wetland.
• Concerns:
  • Deepor Beel has also suffered contamination because of a garbage dump on its edge at Paschim Boragaon.
  • Its water has become toxic and it has lost many of its aquatic plants that elephants would feed on.
  • It has for decades been threatened by a railway track — set to be doubled and electrified — on its southern rim, a garbage dump, and encroachment from human habitation and commercial units.

What are the Other Protected Areas in Assam?

• Assam has 7 national parks and 17 wildlife sanctuaries.

UPSC Civil Services Examination, Previous Year Question (PYQ)

Q. Consider the following pairs: (2013)

National Park River flowing through the Park

1. Corbett National Park : Ganga
2. Kaziranga National Park : Manas
3. Silent Valley National Park : Kaveri

Which of the above pairs is/are correctly matched?

(a) 1 and 2
(b) 3 only
(c) 1 and 3
(d) None

Ans: (d)

• Jim Corbett National Park: River Ramganga, a tributary of river Ganga is the primary source of water for the park. Tributaries of Ramganga are Khoh, Kolhu and Mandal rivers. Hence, pair 1 is not correctly matched.
• Kaziranga National Park: It is a park hosting around two-third of total world’s one-horned rhinoceros and is circumscribed by the Brahmaputra River. The Brahmaputra forms the northern and eastern boundaries of it, whereas the Mora Diphlu forms the southern boundary. Other notable rivers within the park are the Diphlu and Mora Dhansiri. Hence, pair 2 is not correctly matched.
• Silent Valley National Park: Located in Kerala, the park’s entire stretch drains from north to south by River Kuntipuzha. It is part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve. Hence, pair 3 is not correctly matched.
• Therefore, option (d) is the correct answer.

Source: TH