Authors: Dr. Dinky Mishra, Dr. Biswajit Sarmah
Abstract: The North Eastern region of India experiences substantial rainfall throughout the year, with significant peaks during the monsoon season. This heavy rainfall leads to increased flow in the mountainous streams and the prominent rivers, Brahmaputra and Barak, making these areas susceptible to severe flooding and sediment build-up. The region's unique hydro-geomorphological conditions have given rise to numerous natural lakes, wetlands, waterlogged zones, and swamps. Within this area, Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Sikkim, and Tripura contain extensive wetland regions, with Assam holding the largest portion. Reports indicate that Assam is home to 3,513 wetlands spanning approximately 101,231 hectares. Manipur ranks second in the region with 26,600 hectares of wetland. Locally referred to as "Beel," many of Assam’s wetlands (or lakes) are interspersed along the course of the Brahmaputra River. Numerous tributaries from the surrounding hills converge into this river. The dynamic nature of these rivers, along with their hydrological traits and sedimentation patterns within the valley, influence the state's wetlands significantly. Currently, several wetlands in this region face serious threats due to inadequate land management practices in their catchment areas, resource over-exploitation, agricultural expansion, and other developmental pressures. Observations indicate a reduction in wetland size alongside pollution and a decline in diverse flora and fauna as well as other biological resources for various reasons. The hydrological and ecological importance of these wetlands and lakes remains largely unrecognized. Some floodplain wetlands function similarly to lakes during wetter months of the year. Furthermore, these wetlands play a crucial role in replenishing groundwater aquifers. This paper aims to evaluate Assam's wetland resources while emphasizing potential development opportunities for sustainable management across multiple uses such as job creation, recreational activities, and aquaculture.
