Deepor Beel’s Water Quality Declines, Threatening Wildlife

The water quality of Deepor Beel, Assam’s only Ramsar Site, is rapidly deteriorating, severely affecting its aquatic biodiversity. Environmentalist Laxman Teron warned that the wetland’s eastern side is heavily polluted by the Bharalu and Bahini rivers, forcing wild elephants to avoid it for the past three years. Aquatic vegetation has declined by nearly 80%, impacting food sources for migratory birds and elephants. Species like fox nut, water lily, water spinach, and dol grass have become rare.

While the Assam Pollution Control Board claims most water samples meet norms, Teron disputes this, pointing to shrinking vegetation as clear evidence of pollution. He also criticized the failure to stop runoff from a nearby dumping ground. Teron called for urgent restoration measures to protect the wetland’s global ecological value.