With the New Year festivities drawing large crowds, Maguri–Motapung Beel in Tinsukia district, Assam has once again witnessed a surge in tourism, highlighting both its ecological richness and rising environmental pressures.

About Maguri–Motapung Beel

• Located about 10–12 km from Tinsukia town, the beel spreads across villages such as Barekuri, Baghjan and Natun Gaon.
  
• The beel opens itself to the river Dibru at one point, which makes it a combination of both still and moving waters.
• The word Beel in Assamese means lake, and Maguri is the local name for a type of catfish. 
  • Ironically, a steep rise in fishing has led to the extinction of Maguri in the lake. 
• The wetland, spread over an area of 9.6sq.km., was declared an Important Bird and Biodiversity Area (IBA) in 1996. 
• It is one of Assam’s most important wetland ecosystems, supporting over 300 species of indigenous and migratory birds.
• From October to March, migratory birds from distant regions transform the wetland into a major birding hotspot.
• The beel lies within the Eco-Sensitive Zone of the Dibru–Saikhowa National Park and shelters rare flora and fauna.
  

Ecological and livelihood significance

• Acts as a natural habitat for birds, fish, turtles and aquatic plants.
  
• Supports local livelihoods such as fishing, eco-tourism and nature guiding.
  
• Plays a role in flood moderation and groundwater recharge, typical of healthy wetlands.
• Support both residential and migratory birds and have the potential to be developed as a famous bird watching site.
  

Concerns and vulnerabilities

• The Baghjan oil well blowout (2020) caused severe damage through oil contamination, affecting biodiversity and livelihoods.
  
• Increasing unregulated tourism, plastic waste, loud music and human disturbance during picnic seasons threaten bird habitats.
  
• Environmentalists warn that unchecked recreation can disturb migratory patterns and degrade wetland health.
  

Government initiatives and way forward

• Protection through Eco-Sensitive Zone notification aims to regulate harmful activities.
  
• Need for eco-friendly tourism guidelines, waste-management norms and noise regulation.
  
• Promotion of responsible eco-tourism involving local communities can balance conservation with livelihoods.
  

Exam Hook – Prelims 

Which of the following statements about Maguri–Motapung Beel is/are correct?

1. It is an important wetland ecosystem located near Tinsukia in Assam.
   
2. It lies within the Eco-Sensitive Zone of Dibru–Saikhowa National Park.
   
3. It is a major winter habitat for migratory birds.
   

Answer: 1, 2 and 3 

One-line takeaway:
Maguri–Motapung Beel reflects how joy, tourism and biodiversity conservation must coexist carefully in fragile wetland ecosystems.

SOURCE