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The Kamrup district administration recently inspected Chandubi Lake to assess its ecological deterioration and explore measures for its restoration and tourism development. Administration have discussed measures such as desiltation and the construction of a proposed sluice gate.

Key Facts

  • Location:
  • Origin: Chandubi Lake was formed following the devastating 1897 Assam earthquake, which altered the local landscape.
  • Ecological Importance: The lake supports aquatic biodiversity, surrounding vegetation and local livelihoods.
  • Tourism Potential: Its scenic landscape makes it suitable for nature-based tourism and boating activities.

About Chandubi Lake

  • Chandubi Lake was formed after the Great Assam Earthquake of 1897, making it a natural lake created by tectonic activity.
  • It is situated at Kamrup district, Assam, near the Assam–Meghalaya border.
  • It is located at the foot hills of Garo hills spread between Assam and Meghalaya.
  • Surrounded by hills, forests and indigenous settlements, the lake is both an ecologically sensitive wetland and a cultural landscape.
  • The area is inhabited largely by indigenous communities, especially the Rabhas, whose livelihoods are closely linked with the lake.
About the Rabha Tribe

  • The Rabha language belongs to Bodo sub branch of Tibeto-Burman language and so it is a sister 
  • language of the Boro language. 
  • Rabha does not have its own scripts and so the Assamese script has been adopted to write this language.
  • The Rabhas are primarily found in Goalpara district, the northern Garo Hills, and Kamrup district, which is on the south bank of the Brahmaputra. 
  • The Rabha people are dispersed over the districts of Dhubri, Kokrajhar, Bongaigaon, and Darrang. 
  • The Rabha population is 296.189 people, or 8.6% of all Tribal people, according to the 2011 Census Report.
  • The Rabhas have accepted Assamese as a working language for their overall development and survival. 
  • They have also accepted various cultural and ritual functions of Assamese society.

Festival

  • Their main communal celebrations, known as “Khokchi” or “Baikho,” are based on their own religious 
  • ideas and ideals. 
  • This spring celebration is observed from the middle of April through the middle of May. 
  • Additionally, they celebrate two other holidays: “Domasi” (harvesting on January 14) and “Mambe-Bakai” (the start of planting in March/April).
  • The ‘Baikho’ or ‘Khokchi’, puja is observed by the Rangdani and Maitori communities with the goal of 
  • appeasing the Goddess of Wealth and Prosperity, Baikho. 
  • In the majority of the villages, ‘Hachang puja’ has taken the place of this celebration at a designated location known as ‘Hachang than’. 
  • During this event, young people sing the traditional song ‘Sathar geet’ or ‘Khokchi geet’ to express their love and affection for their loved ones.
  • Another folk festival of the Pati Rabhas is ‘Langa puja’. ‘Langa’ means Mahadeva, one of the Trinity 
  • of the Hindu Mythology. 
  • There are many other deities, such as: Dhan-kuber, Thakurani, Dudhkumar, etc. 

Major Environmental Concerns

  • Siltation: Accumulation of sediments has made several parts of the lake shallow, reducing its water-holding capacity.
  • Marsh Formation: Some portions have gradually turned marshy, contributing to the shrinking of the lake’s water spread.
  • Ecological Deterioration: The changing waterbody conditions threaten its natural character and biodiversity.

Proposed Conservation Measures

  • Desiltation: The Forest Department has prepared an estimate for removing accumulated silt and restoring shallow, marshy areas.
  • Sluice Gate: A sluice gate has been proposed at Lokeya Dara, the channel connecting Chandubi Lake with the Kulsi River, to help regulate the lake’s water level.
  • Coordinated Conservation: The district administration, Forest Department and other agencies are expected to work together to protect the lake.
  • Eco-Tourism Development: Developing the region as an eco-tourism destination could generate livelihood opportunities for local communities while promoting environmental protection.

Exam Hook: Key Takeaway

  • Chandubi Lake was formed after the 1897 Assam earthquake.
  • Location: Kamrup district, Assam.
  • Connected river: Kulsi River through Lokeya Dara.
  • Major threats: Siltation, shallow water and marsh formation.
  • Proposed measures: Desiltation, sluice gate and community-oriented eco-tourism.

One-line wrap: Chandubi Lake highlights the need to balance wetland restoration, biodiversity conservation and sustainable tourism to protect Assam’s natural heritage.

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