Son Beel

Guwahati, Dec. 8: The Assam forest department is pushing for Ramsar site status for four wetlands in the state.

Forest minister Rockybul Hussain today told the Assembly that proposals seeking Ramsar site status for the four wetlands of the state are being prepared. These sites include Dhir Beel, Son Beel, Kaziranga Beel and Bordoibam Beel.

The state government will submit the proposals to the Switzerland-based Ramsar Bureau for the status.

A wetland is declared a Ramsar site by the bureau after thorough evaluation only if it meets the eligibility criteria. For any site to be declared a Ramsar site of International Importance, it should meet the criteria like supporting vulnerable, endangered or threatened species, attract more than 20,000 birds and support a significant proportion of indigenous fish.

At present, Deepor Beel is the only waterbody in the state, which was designated a Ramsar Site in November 2002. A Ramsar site status is an international recognition for an important wetland.

“In the proposals we will mention various features of these lakes, which make them suitable for being declared Ramsar sites,” a forest official said.

“For instance Son Beel, besides being a reservoir of 70 species of fish, is also home to a large number of resident bird species such as the bareheaded goose, adjutant stork, lesser whistling teal, white-breasted water hen, spotted dove and purple heron,” the official added.

In the Assembly, Hussain said the state government was committed towards the protection and development of wetlands and all necessary steps are being taken accordingly. There are 3,513 wetlands spread across the state, covering an area of 1,01,231.80 hectares.

Hussain said the government was fully aware about the need to protect the wetlands and is organising awareness meetings in the state on a regular basis to make people understand the importance of these waterbodies. He said the state government is also in touch with international funding agencies such as the German Development Bank to avail funds for the conservation of wetlands.

The minister said the government has entrusted the Assam Science Technology and Environment Council with the task of preparing maps and compiling data about all the wetlands in the state.