NGT notice to Assam on garbage dumping on wetland

The National Green Tribunal has asked the Assam government to submit a status report on the present condition of the Deepor Beel, a large natural wetland, which is a Ramsar site and an important destination of migratory birds. The tribunal also asked the State Chief Secretary to submit a detail report on whether any municipal solid waste was being dumped on Deepor Beel and if any construction activities were going on in and around the wetland. Mr. Choudhury also expressed concern over the future of elephant herds that come down to wetland from the nearby Rani reserved forest and other species of fauna in the Deepor Beel and pleaded with the tribunal to issue a directive to authorities to ensure norms are adhered to. Declared as a Ramsar site in 2002, Deepor Beel has total area of 900 hectares on the southwest corner of the city and about 5 km away from the river Brahmaputra.