This environmentalist roots for a green and clean Guwahati

The rapid loss of ecology in the city pains Bibhab Talukdar, one of the best-known environmentalists in the Northeast and a rhino expert of international standing.

Talukdar has reason to be unhappy.

“Wetlands like Sola Beel are shrinking very fast because of the pressure of development and encroachment. The Silsako Beel is half the size of what I had seen of it in the 1990s. We had started birdwatching at Deepor Beel in 1989. Its size has since reduced by at least 15 per cent. Encroachments have reduced the size and water-holding capabilities of these wetlands.”

In the Nineties, Guwahati did not witness the kind of waterlogging we see now. “The hillocks in and around the city, which look barren, used to have a green cover. This is the reason for the silt in our drainage system which leads to man-made floods whenever we receive moderate to heavy rainfall,” he adds.

Born in Dhubri, Talukdar shifted to the city in 1986 and has since made it his home. He studied at B. Barooah College before joining Gauhati University for his Masters in zoology. He did his PhD on the white- winged wood duck.

In 1989, he started his environmental NGO, Aaranyak, which is now recognised as one of the most active in its field in the country.

He was recently appointed the Asian rhino co-ordinator for the International Rhino Foundation — the first person from India to join the organisation.

Reminiscing on the past two decades in the city, Talukdar wonders at the increase in population and traffic — more than 80 per cent since 1990.

“The growth in human population has affected the city very much in the past two decades. Our house was constructed in the Survey area of Beltola in 1979-80. You could hardly see any vehicles in the area at that time. One had to wait for 20 to 30 minutes before the old-model red city bus arrived from Basistha. Most of the area in Beltola, Rajgarh and Zoo Road was low-lying and looked like a wetland during the monsoon,” he recalls.

“Just beyond our residence, there was a small rivulet which flowed into the Bahini. Now there is no trace of it,” he adds.

“It is always good to see that the city is developing, having more flyovers and big buildings. But at the same time, maintaining the ecological balance is crucial to our survival. We must conserve our wetlands, forests and hillocks to reduce flash floods,” says Talukdar.

“A major problem is that more people are settling down in the city and some of them are encroaching upon forest land on the hilly slopes where there are more chances of landslides and death. Over 50 people have died in Guwahati because of landslides in the past 10 years. The people and the government need to be more sensitive towards conserving hillocks and wetlands if the tragedies are to be averted.”

Talukdar feels that the increase in population is distancing people. “Now we don’t even know our neighbours. Social bonds have become almost non-existent. We try to be social only during festivals,” he adds.

“All the people living in Guwahati should develop a strong social responsibility to keep the city green and clean so that it can become an example of a green city in the country if not in the world,” he signs off.