"No funds asked for preservation of Son Beel by State Govt.": Aswini Kumar

Son Beel – the second largest wetland in Asia — located under Ratabari constituency of Karimganj is renowned for varieties of fishes, cultivation of which forms sustenance of more than 35,000 families residing around the freshwater lake.

Apart from this, the beel also houses migratory birds from different locations during the winter season. The beauty of the lake is further enhanced by trees which are locally known as ‘Izoi’. The most unique part of the Sonbeel is that it becomes dry farmland for rice cultivation in the winter months.

Local groups and organizations have time and again raised their voice for the preservation of the lake, which is losing its glory due to a variety of reasons.

On Monday, Karimganj MP Kripanath Mallah, raised the issue of Son Beel in the parliament. Replying to his query, Ashwini Kumar Choubey, from Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate change said that the ministry is aware of the freshwater lake in Karimganj and the state government is taking necessary developmental works in Son Beel.

“Son Beel is one of the largest natural water bodies in Asia where during the winter season, it becomes suitable for paddy cultivation and during the rainy season, it is full of water and fish breeding takes place naturally. In the early parts of the winter season, birds from different areas migrate in Son Beel” the minister replied.

In reply to whether the Government is aware of the absence of any prohibitory measures leading to merciless killing of the migratory birds there, the minister said that the State government has deputed forest staff to perform patrolling in Son Beel area and “as a result 3 offence reports have been drawn and 7 offenders have been arrested and sent to judicial custody for trial.”

However, on the preservation of the lake, Ashwini Kumar Choubey, mentioned that the State government has not asked for any funds till now.

“As informed by the State Government of Assam, Fishery Department and Assam Tourism Development Corporation have taken some developmental works in Son Beel. However, till date, no proposal has been received by Government of India from the State Government of Assam asking for funds for conservation, restoration, rejuvenation and management of Son Beel under National Plan for Conservation of Aquatic Ecosystem (NPCA) schem” he added in the written reply.

Son Beel is surrounded by 100 nos. of villages and more than a population of 50,000 is directly dependent on it for their livelihood by way of fishing and paddy cultivation.