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“Our
forefathers protected this wetland and we are committed to do the same as we depend
on the wetland for our livelihood. We will protect this wetland at any cost and
against any odds.” “Deepor
has a diverse cultural setting and huge biodiversity. Having a single management
authority for the Ramsar site will go a long way in solving most of the problems
Deepor is facing. We must protect and preserve Deepor Beel.”
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The huge Deepor Beel wetland in India’s
Assam state is one of many where neglect and mismanagement threaten to transform
a vibrant, productive ecosystem into a massive garbage dump. What is encouraging
is that the indigenous people who rely on Deepor’s vast resources and
the scientific community have joined forces to stop the wanton destruction of
Deepor Beel. Their actions, supported by Global Response’s international
campaign, could set a precedent and create a model for wetland preservation
and management throughout India. What’s at Stake? Deepor Beel (10,000 acres) is recognized as
one of the most significant wetland systems in the world under the Ramsar International
Convention on Wetlands. It is the only Ramsar Site in the Indian State of Assam.
Threats to Deepor Beel and Local Communities
In utter disregard of Deepor’s ecological
value and its Ramsar status, the city of Guwahati dumps its garbage into Deepor’s
waters. Government authorities look the other way as illegal settlements and
industries crop up around the wetland, exacerbating the waste and pollution
problems. Further uncontrolled settlement and industrial development could alter
water flow patterns and fill the wetlands with sediment, increasing the risk
and destructiveness of floods. This is serious business in Assam state, where
rainfall is among the highest in the world. The Deepor wetland is the only major
stormwater storage basin for the flood-prone city of Guwahati. Fourteen indigenous villages (1,200 families)
around Deepor Beel depend directly or indirectly on the wetland's natural resources
for their livelihood. Freshwater fish is a vital protein and source of income
for these communities. Their health directly depends on the health of the wetland
ecosystem. World Wetlands Day This year, the February 2 World Wetlands Day theme is “Healthy Wetlands; Healthy People.” The indigenous communities of Deepor Beel are asking the world community to help them protect their health and the health of the Deepor wetlands. The solution they propose is exactly the solution recommended by the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands: a comprehensive management system with strong community participation. How We Can Help Deepor communities and environmental organizations are seeking international support to persuade Indian authorities to protect Deepor Beel, as they are obligated to do under the Ramsar International Convention on Wetlands. Please honor World Wetlands Day by writing letters to Indian authorities.
More information about this issue. Make a donation for this campaign. |
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80306 USA
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Wetlands
are among the most diverse and productive ecosystems in the world. They improve
water quality by filtering out pollutants;
they store floodwaters and prevent flood damage; they provide habitat for fish,
birds and wildlife; they are a valuable source of food, medicines and materials
that support human populations and economies. Wetlands also provide opportunities
for recreation, tourism, cultural practices and aesthetic appreciation.
A
Paradise for Birds - Deepor Beel provides breeding and feeding grounds
for millions of birds. Two hundred and nineteen species of
birds including more than 70 migratory species have been recorded there. It
is a major “staging ground” on migratory flyways. The wetland provides
critical habitat for 17 globally threatened bird species including the critically
endangered White-rumped Vulture, Longbilled Vulture and Greater Adjutant Stork.
For all these reasons, Birdlife International declared Deepor Beel an Important
Bird Area (IBA), with high priority for conservation.
A
Refuge for Endangered Species - The Asiatic Elephant, Leopard, Jungle cat
– all endangered – and the protected Barking Deer, Chinese
Porcupine and Sambar find refuge in Deepor Beel. It is a major breeding ground
for over 60 species of fish, supplying stock to other nearby wetlands and rivers.
Commercially valuable species such as snakeheads, large cyprinids and large
catfishes abound, as well as threatened lizards, snakes, turtles and amphibian
species.