Sareswar Beel in Dhubri Awaits Official Recognition as Bird Habitat Despite Rich Biodiversity
Sareswar Beel, a significant wetland located in Dhubri district of Assam, continues to remain undeclared as an official bird habitat and tourism destination by the Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC). This is despite its prominent listing in the prestigious Directory of Asian Wetlands and its well-documented status as a crucial biodiversity hotspot in the region.
Historical Significance and Geographical Details
Positioned approximately 6 kilometers from Gauripur town and in close proximity to Rupsi Airport, Sareswar Beel spans an impressive area of around 3,370 hectares. Historically, this wetland was renowned for hosting large winter flocks of Siberian Cranes, locally referred to as "saras." This phenomenon persisted until the onset of summer nearly a century ago. Although the Siberian Crane has not been observed at the wetland for many years, the name "Sareswar" continues to honor the bird's legacy among local residents, serving as a poignant reminder of its past ecological importance.
Research and Biodiversity Findings
Amateur ornithologist Diptiman Dutta of Gauripur has highlighted that numerous university students and professional ornithologists have conducted extensive research on various bird species at Sareswar Beel. Their studies have covered the entire lifecycle of birds, from egg-laying and nestling stages through to juvenile development and flight stages. Dutta emphasized that Sareswar Beel serves as a natural habitat for several threatened species, including endangered birds such as the Adjutant Stork and Large Whistling Teals.
In addition to these two endangered species, the wetland supports a diverse array of birdlife that can be sighted throughout the year. This includes the white-breasted water hen, eastern cattle-egret, lesser whistling-duck, Asian koel jacana, and various species of drongos. However, Dutta noted that persistent challenges such as bird poaching and encroachment on the beel area continue to threaten this rich biodiversity, underscoring the urgent need for formal protection and conservation measures.
Conservation Efforts and Administrative Hurdles
Dutta revealed that local conservationists and researchers have long advocated for Sareswar Beel to be officially declared a bird habitat, but the BTC has yet to consider or act upon this proposal. In a related development, Parbatjhara divisional forest officer Abhinas Basumatary informed that the Kokrajhar Public Works Department (Building) had sought a No Objection Certificate (NOC) to develop eco-tourism initiatives around Sareswar Beel, which the forest department subsequently issued.
Regarding potential infrastructure improvements, such as the erection of bird-watching towers, Basumatary explained that the proximity of Rupsi Airport has led airport authorities to impose restrictions on construction activities. Specifically, the construction of "bird watching towers" along Sareswar Beel has been constrained due to aviation safety concerns, highlighting the complex interplay between conservation efforts and existing infrastructural regulations.
The ongoing lack of official designation for Sareswar Beel as a protected bird habitat raises critical questions about wetland conservation priorities in the region, even as its ecological value remains undiminished and widely recognized by experts and local communities alike.
