Environment Ministry Proposes Eco-Sensitive Zone Around Deepor Beel

The Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has proposed the creation of an Eco-Sensitive Zone (ESZ) around the Deepar Beel Wildlife Sanctuary in Guwahati, Assam, under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986. A draft notification has been issued, inviting objections or suggestions from the public within 60 days of its publication in the gazette. The proposed ESZ would cover 38.84 square kilometers, extending from 25.294 meters to 5 kilometers in various directions from the sanctuary boundary, with specific measurements for north, northeast, east, southeast, south, southwest, west, and northwest.

The primary objective of establishing the ESZ is to protect Deepar Beel’s fragile wetland ecosystem and its diverse wildlife from the adverse effects of pollution and rapid urban development. The zone will regulate human activities, including construction and tourism, and will prohibit polluting industries and mining operations. Deepar Beel is one of Assam’s largest freshwater lakes and the state’s only Ramsar site, recognized internationally for its ecological importance. The sanctuary also holds the status of an Important Bird Area due to its rich avian diversity.

The draft notification highlights the remarkable biodiversity of Deepar Beel. Around 150 bird species have been recorded in the sanctuary, including two critically endangered species, one endangered species, five vulnerable species, and four near-threatened species. Elephants frequently visit the wetland from adjacent Rani and Garbhanga Reserved Forests, making it an integral part of their habitat. Additionally, the sanctuary is home to 12 reptile species, 50 fish species, six amphibian species, and 155 species of aquatic macro-biota, emphasizing its ecological significance.

Despite its ecological importance, Deepar Beel has faced persistent threats over the decades. A railway line along its southern rim, scheduled for doubling and electrification, poses risks to the wetland. Encroachments from human settlements and commercial units, along with waste dumping, further exacerbate its vulnerability. The wetland spans up to 30 square kilometers in summer and contracts to about 10 square kilometers in winter, with the wildlife sanctuary occupying 4.1 square kilometers within it.

The proposal for an ESZ follows a legal directive from the Gauhati High Court, which instructed the Assam government to issue a notification by January 18, 2024, to designate Deepar Beel as an eco-sensitive zone. In February 2024, the state government informed the court that a draft notification had been prepared and would be submitted to the state cabinet for approval, after which it would be sent to the central government for final approval. In March 2024, the state cabinet decided to denotify the sanctuary, but this decision was stayed by the High Court, keeping the draft ESZ proposal in effect.

Overall, the draft ESZ notification seeks to balance environmental protection with development pressures, aiming to conserve Deepar Beel’s rich biodiversity, safeguard migratory and resident bird species, and maintain its ecological integrity. Public participation is encouraged, with citizens allowed to submit comments or objections within 60 days, reflecting a collaborative approach to wetland conservation. If approved, the ESZ would ensure regulated human activity, mitigate threats, and preserve this critical wetland for future generations while sustaining its ecological, cultural, and environmental significance.

This proposal underscores the urgent need to protect Deepar Beel from urbanization, encroachment, and industrialization while promoting sustainable development practices, thereby reinforcing Assam’s commitment to wetland conservation and biodiversity preservation.