Wetlands of Assam

Assam has many wetlands, including the Ramsar site Deepor Beel, and is having problems including encroachment and climate change. Some wetlands are even disappearing.
Here is a fuller description of the wetlands of Assam:
Wetlands of Assam:

• Deepor Beel:
  Located on the outskirts of Guwahati, Deepor Beel (a freshwater lake) is the only Ramsar site in Assam, an internationally important wetland for biodiversity and migratory birds.
• Son Beel:
  Son Beel is a seasonal wetland located in Karimganj district. It has an astonishing picturesque landscape, a fishery and the Hizol trees (Barringtonia Acutangula).
• Silsako Beel:
  Silsako Beel is a large urban water body located near Guwahati. The water body is important in terms of storm water runoff, and of biodiversity.
• Borsola-Sorusola:
  Another wetland in the Guwahati region. This area is one of the wetland areas of Guwahati that are protected under the Guwahati Water Bodies (Preservation and Conservation) Act.
• Other Beels:
  There are many more “beels” (lakes) and wetlands in Assam, some of these include: Maguri Motapung Beel, Dora Beel, Chandubi Lake, and Urpad Beel.
  Importance of Wetlands:
• Biodiversity:
  Wetlands of Assam are a significant habitat for enormous varieties of flora and fauna , including many bird species, fish, aquatic plants.
• Flood Control:
  Wetlands can have a very important role in managing floodwaters. Wetlands act as natural storage areas which can lessen the impacts of heavy rainfalls.
• Water Supply:
  Wetlands are often sources of freshwater and provide a portion of the area’s water requirements.
• Livelihoods:
  Wetlands represent an important resource for the livelihoods of many communities in Assam, e.g., fishing.

Wetland Threats:

• Encroachment:
  Illegal development of wetlands is a serious issue in Assam.
• Siltation:
  Siltation of wetlands is a problem in dealing with wetlands through re-filling, and the filling up of wetlands with soil and sediment caused mostly through deforestation and bad land use practices.
• Pollution:
  Pollution from industrial and agricultural practices and land runoff has a detrimental impact on wetland ecosystems.
• Climate Change:
  Changes in rainfall patterns and rising sea level (inundation) can also have a detrimental effect on wetland and their ecosystems.
• Over-fishing:
  Over-fishing and unsustainable fishing practices, such as using small mesh sized nets, more often result in depletion of fish species and some damage to our wetland ecosystem.
  Conservation efforts:
• Ramsar Site Status:
  Deepor Beel’s designation as a Ramsar site is evidence of the site’s global significance and the importance to act to protect the site.
• Legal Protection of Wetlands:
  The Guwahati Water Bodies (Preservation and Conservation) Act is a legal framework in place to protect wetland sites in Guwahati.
• Restoration of Wetlands:
  The Guwahati Metropolitan Development Authority (GMDA) are working to restore the wetlands in Guwahati.
• Community Involvement:
  Community buy-in and participation in wetland conservation are fundamental to sustainable and long-term success of wetland conservation action plans.