Natural Resources and Conservation Vol. 7(2), pp. 9 - 24
DOI: 10.13189/nrc.2019.070201
Reprint (PDF) (1041Kb)

Deepor Beel Wetland: Threats to Ecosystem Services, Their Importance to Dependent Communities and Possible Management Measures

Jekulin Lipi Saikia ^*
Jamsetji Tata School of Disaster Studies, Tata Institute of Social Sciences, India

ABSTRACT

Deepor Beel, only Ramsar site, is located in south-west of Guwahati, Assam. The Deepor Beel is the only storm water storage basin for the entire Guwahati city besides having enormous environmental and biological importance. But wetland is deteriorating due to various anthropogenic factors. The restoration and conservation of the wetland became the need of the hour due to growing frequent flooding in the Guwahati city. The current uses and historical uses of the wetland by the local community are discussed by focusing on the practices of two indigenous communities who have been dependent on wetland for centuries. These communities are Karbi and Koibortra community. It discusses the reasons for the shift of two communities from indigenous practices. From two different community perspectives, ecosystem services to the local community and its linkages to poverty were discussed. The current state legislature for the conservation of the wetland and its implementation and drawbacks were discussed. This is the direct testimony of the members of the respective community who has been suffering due to degrading condition of the wetland. A framework has been developed to understand the current situation of the Deepor Beel, and its implication on ecosystem services and its possible responses were drafted in this paper.

KEYWORDS
Ecosystem Services, Indigenous Practices, Poverty, Disaster Risk Reduction

Cite This Paper in IEEE or APA Citation Styles
(a). IEEE Format:
[1] Jekulin Lipi Saikia , "Deepor Beel Wetland: Threats to Ecosystem Services, Their Importance to Dependent Communities and Possible Management Measures," Natural Resources and Conservation, Vol. 7, No. 2, pp. 9 - 24, 2019. DOI: 10.13189/nrc.2019.070201.

(b). APA Format:
Jekulin Lipi Saikia (2019). Deepor Beel Wetland: Threats to Ecosystem Services, Their Importance to Dependent Communities and Possible Management Measures. Natural Resources and Conservation, 7(2), 9 - 24. DOI: 10.13189/nrc.2019.070201.