Guwahati: The Assam government has launched an ambitious initiative to restore 129 beels (wetlands) spanning 3,800 hectares. This large-scale project aims to mitigate the impact of floods and increase fish production, recognizing the ecological importance of these wetlands for flood management, groundwater recharge, and erosion control.
Over the years, many of these wetlands have deteriorated, resulting in reduced water levels, silt accumulation along the edges, and a decline in natural fish stock replenishment. To counter these challenges, the project will focus on critical measures such as dredging, desilting, and the construction of water-retention structures to improve both water storage and fish breeding conditions.
The effort began with the identification of 190 beels by District Fisheries Development Officers, from which 129 were selected using the Asian Development Bank’s (ADB) Screening Matrix. The Assam State Application Centre (ASSAC) has mapped these wetlands, and 22 of them have been marked for immediate intervention. The contracts for these priority beels are scheduled to be finalized by February 2025.
The project, with an estimated cost of ₹796.88 crore, will be co-funded by the ADB (80%) and the Assam government (20%). The detailed project report is expected to be completed by November 2024, with engineering designs already in progress for the prioritized wetlands.
By enhancing fish production and reducing the frequency of floods, the initiative aims to rejuvenate Assam’s wetland ecosystems while promoting sustainable fisheries.
