Syllabus: GS-III & V: Biodiversity & Conservation 

Why in the news?

The proposed elevated railway corridor along Deepor Beel Wildlife Sanctuary has triggered environmental concerns. Conservationists have demanded strict and meaningful compensatory plantation to offset ecological damage caused by tree felling for the project.

About Deepor Beel

• Deepor Beel Wildlife Sanctuary is a permanent freshwater wetland and the largest beel (oxbow lake) in the Lower Brahmaputra Valley of Assam.

• It is situated on the south-western fringe of Guwahati city, Kamrup (metro) district.
• Area notified under Ramsar Convention (2002): ~40.14 sq km as wetland.
• Additional ~4.14 sq km proposed as bird sanctuary under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.

• Main inlets are Mora Bharalu River and Basistha–Bahini River which carry rainwater and city sewage from Guwahati.
• Only outlet: Khanajan, draining towards the Brahmaputra River.
• Acts as the only major natural storm-water reservoir for Guwahati, reducing urban flooding.

Ecological Importance

• Only Ramsar Site in Assam (and among the earliest in Northeast India).
• Supports migratory and resident birds, fish, reptiles, amphibians, and wetland flora and is recognised as an Important Bird Area (IBA).
• Fringed by Rani–Garbhanga Reserve Forests in the south.
• Functions as an elephant corridor, supporting movement of elephants and other mammals.

• Crucial for:
  • Biodiversity conservation
  • Flood moderation
  • Groundwater recharge
  • Urban climate regulation

Threats

• Urban sewage inflow and pollution
• Encroachment and infrastructure pressure (railway lines, dumping sites)
• Invasive species and habitat fragmentation

The railway project: key details

• The existing railway track skirting the wetland will be replaced by a 4.8 km-long elevated corridor under the New Bongaigaon–Kamakhya Doubling Project.
• The elevated bridge (about 21 feet high) will start near Azara Railway Station, with separate up and down lines.
• Objective:
  • Reduce elephant and wildlife deaths
  • Improve rail safety and speed on a busy route
• Timeline: Expected completion within two and a half years.

Environmental concerns raised

• A detailed ground assessment found 215 trees standing along the proposed alignment.
• 109 trees will be felled:
  • About 80% non-timber species
  • Around 20 teak trees
• Environmentalists argue that:
  • Deepor Beel has already suffered long-term ecological stress due to earlier railway lines and urban expansion.
  • Damage should not be treated as a “routine clearance” but as a wetland-sensitive intervention.

Demand for compensatory plantation

• As per National Green Tribunal guidelines, 10 trees must be planted for every tree felled.
• Accordingly, the Forest Department has proposed planting 1,090 saplings, pending approval.
• The Northeast Frontier Railway has agreed to provide:
  • ₹10,000 per tree as compensatory plantation cost
  • Land for plantation, which is mandatory for approval

Key suggestions by environmentalists

• Plant indigenous, fruit-bearing tree species that:
  • Support birds and wetland fauna
  • Are resilient to storms and floods
• Ensure 100% survival rate, not just paper compliance
• Plantation should be done around Deepor Beel and railway land, not in distant locations

Balancing development and conservation

• Conservationists accept the need for an elevated corridor to allow safer movement of elephants, deer and even livestock.
• However, they stress that:
  • Corrective ecological measures must be real, not symbolic
  • Wildlife such as reptiles and deer are rarely seen crossing tracks, indicating a psychological and physical barrier effect
• The case highlights a classic policy dilemma:
  How to pursue infrastructure growth without degrading ecologically fragile urban wetlands.

Legal and policy framework involved

• Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 – Protection of notified sanctuaries
• Forest Conservation Act, 1980 – Restricts diversion of forest land
• Ramsar Convention – International obligation to maintain wetland character
• Article 48A – State’s duty to protect environment
• Environmental Impact Assessment framework – Mitigation and offset measures

As of Jan 2026, the states of Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, and Nagaland do not yet have any designated Ramsar sites

Key terms explained

• Ramsar Site: Wetland recognised for global ecological importance, India has the highest number of ramsar sites in Asia.
• Montreux Record: A register of wetland sites where changes in ecological character have occurred, are occurring, or are likely to occur as a result of human interference. 
  • It is maintained as part of the Ramsar List, and was established by Recommendation of the Conference of the Contracting Parties (1990).
  • It currently lists Keoladeo National Park Rajasthan (1990) and Loktak Lake (1993) in India. While Chilika Lake, Odisha (1993) was also listed, it was successfully removed in 2002.
• Compensatory plantation: Mandatory planting to offset tree felling
• Elevated corridor: Raised transport structure allowing wildlife movement below
• Non-timber species: Trees important for ecology rather than commercial timber
• Elephant corridor: Natural route used by elephants for seasonal movement

Way forward

• Integrate wetland-sensitive design, such as noise barriers and minimal pillar footprints.
• Conduct independent ecological monitoring during and after construction.
• Use the project as a model of urban wetland–infrastructure coexistence.
• Strengthen public participation and transparency in compensatory afforestation.

Exam Hook – Key Takeaways

• Deepor Beel illustrates the conflict between urban infrastructure and wetland conservation.
• Compensatory plantation must focus on quality, location and survival, not just numbers.
• Elevated corridors can reduce wildlife deaths, but only if ecological safeguards are strictly enforced.

Mains Question
“Urban wetlands are critical ecological assets but face increasing pressure from infrastructure projects.” Discuss with reference to Deepor Beel in Assam.

One-line wrap:
The Deepor Beel railway project tests India’s ability to balance infrastructure expansion with the protection of fragile urban wetlands.

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