9.1 Deepor BeelNameLocationAreaAltitudeWetl<strong>and</strong> TypeClimateStatusDescriptionBio-diversityCurrent StatusDeepor Beel26° 07' 30" N, 91° 38' 35" EDistrict: KamrupOwnership: State, Fishery Department589 ha53 mFreshwater Swamp, LakeRainfall : >2000 mmTemperature: 7 °C to 37 °CWildlife Sanctuary, established in January 1989. Presently it is a Ramsar Site (designated inNovember 2002).This is a fresh water lake, on the southern bank <strong>of</strong> the Brahmaputra River, covering an area <strong>of</strong>about 900 ha. The main source <strong>of</strong> water <strong>of</strong> this lake is from rainfall run<strong>of</strong>f <strong>and</strong> from the Basistha <strong>and</strong>Kalamoni rivers. The Beel drains into the Brahmaputra River, located about 5 km away through asmall rivulet called Khanajan. The southern side <strong>of</strong> the lake is contiguous with Rani Reserve Forest.About half <strong>of</strong> the Beel dries out during the winter <strong>and</strong> the exposed shores are converted into paddyfields. At maximum flooding, it is c. 4 m deep, while during the dry season, the depth drops to about1.0 m..A large variety <strong>of</strong> aquatic flora <strong>of</strong> tropical wetl<strong>and</strong> is found in Deepor Beel <strong>and</strong> its adjoining areas.The dominant aquatic plants include Azolla pinnata, Nymphaea rubra, Ottelia alismoides,Eleocharis plantaginea, Pistia stratiotes ,Hydrilla verticillata, Potamogeton crispus, Ipomoeareptans, Sagittaria sagittifolia, Nymphaea albea, Vallisneria spiralis. The giant water lily (Euryaleferox) also grows here. Eichhornia crassipes is the dominate weed.The diversity <strong>and</strong> concentration <strong>of</strong> indigenous fresh water fish species in this lake is very high(around50 species under 19 families). It harbors many species <strong>of</strong> migratory birds in winter as wellas resident birds. Around 150 species <strong>of</strong> birds have been recorded so far in <strong>and</strong> around theSanctuary, including nine threatened species. The wetl<strong>and</strong> is used for fishery, domestic watersupply, collection <strong>of</strong> natural products, fodder <strong>and</strong> food supply, transport, <strong>and</strong> recreation.Current status: Heavy siltation, pollution from city/industry effluents, poaching <strong>and</strong> unregulatedfishing, encroachment.As observed in the image, the beel is fragmented, surrounded with waterlogged areas in the 5 kmbuffer zone. The intensive growth <strong>of</strong> the weed water hyacinth is very prominent. The fieldphotograph shows the shallowness <strong>of</strong> water, growth <strong>of</strong> vegetation in <strong>and</strong> around the lake.IRS LISS-III Post monsoon data (November 1, 2006) IRS LISS-III Pre-monsoon data (May 27, 2007)Plate 4: Deepor Beel130
Plate 5: Wetl<strong>and</strong> map - 5 km buffer area <strong>of</strong> Deepor Beel131