A rivers' tale
Pollution and encroachments have reduced the size and water-holding capabilities of many wetlands in Guwahati. The Guwahati Water-bodies (Preservation and Conservation) Act 2008 is meant to address the situation.
THE CITY of Guwahati is getting more urbanised with every passing day and its list of civic problems is gradually increasing. The wrath of rapid urbanisation is visible to everybody. The rising population of the city and its subsequent survival strategy is affecting its natural environs. To exemplify the fact, there can be no bigger evidence than the pathetic condition of water bodies in Guwahati. Both pollution as well as encroachment are reasons behind the death of the the environs. In this context, the situation of Bharalu and Mora Bharalu comes into focus.
When someone in Guwahati talks about wetlands, they usually think of Deepor Beel, the host ground of migratory avian species. Sola Beel and Silsako Beel are shrinking very fast because of the pressure of development and encroachment. Moreover encroachments have reduced the size and water-holding capabilities of these wetlands. With the intention of saving such water bodies from disappearance along with tackling the issues of water-logging and artificial floods in the city, a legislation called Guwahati Water-bodies (Preservation and Conservation) Act 2008, was passed in the state assembly last year. It is meant to monitor the situation in Deepor Beel along with the situations in the Bharalu, Mora Bharalu and Bahini rivers. There have been many plans to convert these areas into eco-tourism spots in the future. Though Deepor, Sola and Silsako are of utmost importance, the condition of those wetlands in South Guwahati is very serious as all the wetlands along the Lokhra Road are being encroached. These wetlands in South Guwahati are connected with Mora Bharalu, whereas those in east and central Guwahati are with the Bharalu.
According to retired government employee Hemanta Bhagawati, “The condition of both Bharalu and Mora Bharalu is worsening at a very fast pace. People may complain about the government, but the citizens are themselves responsible for the atrocity. We used to fish from the Bharalu. But at present, the natural flows have vanished. Similarly, during the monsoon, rivers cause floods in the city. Illegal earth-cutting in the city hills is one of the reasons.”
Last year, due to protests by different organizations, to take out Smashan Yatra as well as Sok Sabha with the appeal Save Bharalu targeting the authorities like Guwahati Municipal Corporation (GMC), Guwahati Metropolitan Development Authority (GMDA) and Pollution Control Board of Assam (PCBA), the state government was forced to think. Meanwhile, the state Water Resources Department (WRD) carried out a multi-crore excavation project last year in both Bharalu and Mora Bharalu.
“Last year, machineries worth Rs2.7 crores were purchased and Rs1.3 crores more were expended in carrying out excavation work. This year we are using the same machines in both Bharalu and Mora Bharalu. However we have submitted an estimation of Rs77 lakhs to the Guwahati Development Department (GDD) for the cleaning-cum-excavation project this year, whereas the department has sanctioned a sum of Rs50 lakhs. This year we are using the dredge pump attached to amphibian mini dredger,” informs an official of WRD.
According to retired government employee Hemanta Bhagawati, “The condition of both Bharalu and Mora Bharalu is worsening at a very fast pace. People may complain about the government, but the citizens are themselves responsible for the atrocity. We used to fish from the Bharalu. But at present, the natural flows have vanished. Similarly, during the monsoon, rivers cause floods in the city. Illegal earth-cutting in the city hills is one of the reasons.”
Last year, due to protests by different organizations, to take out Smashan Yatra as well as Sok Sabha with the appeal Save Bharalu targeting the authorities like Guwahati Municipal Corporation (GMC), Guwahati Metropolitan Development Authority (GMDA) and Pollution Control Board of Assam (PCBA), the state government was forced to think. Meanwhile, the state Water Resources Department (WRD) carried out a multi-crore excavation project last year in both Bharalu and Mora Bharalu.
“Last year, machineries worth Rs2.7 crores were purchased and Rs1.3 crores more were expended in carrying out excavation work. This year we are using the same machines in both Bharalu and Mora Bharalu. However we have submitted an estimation of Rs77 lakhs to the Guwahati Development Department (GDD) for the cleaning-cum-excavation project this year, whereas the department has sanctioned a sum of Rs50 lakhs. This year we are using the dredge pump attached to amphibian mini dredger,” informs an official of WRD.
The official adds, “Last year, there was no water in either river. But as a result of the project, we could bring back normal flow to some extent. Moreover we have carried out intermediate cleaning after the month of March, whereas this year’s cleaning drive is almost seventy five percent complete. But then too the garbage dumping apathy of the citizens cannot be avoided.”
After pollution, there is the problem of encroachment. On this point the official comments, “It is a big problem. Both domestic as well as commercial encroachments are visible along the banks of both the Bharalus. Last year with help of the district administration, a massive eviction drive was carried out, which was to some extent successful.”
In the excavation drive last year a huge number of illegal wooden and bamboo bridges were removed from the water channels. Meanwhile, following the Chief Minister's order calling for the demolition of all illegal constructions over Bahini, Bharalu and Mora Bharalu, the drive has picked up.
“Last year, the bridges were demolished and this year too the cleaning drive is going on. But the bridges are not repaired or constructed. We still depend on the ferry system as the RCC bridge connecting the two banks of Mora Bharalu at the Barshapara-Dhirenpara junction is more than a kilometer away. However during monsoon it is risky to ferry along the banks, “says Manik Roy, a resident of Ganeshpara.
After pollution, there is the problem of encroachment. On this point the official comments, “It is a big problem. Both domestic as well as commercial encroachments are visible along the banks of both the Bharalus. Last year with help of the district administration, a massive eviction drive was carried out, which was to some extent successful.”
In the excavation drive last year a huge number of illegal wooden and bamboo bridges were removed from the water channels. Meanwhile, following the Chief Minister's order calling for the demolition of all illegal constructions over Bahini, Bharalu and Mora Bharalu, the drive has picked up.
“Last year, the bridges were demolished and this year too the cleaning drive is going on. But the bridges are not repaired or constructed. We still depend on the ferry system as the RCC bridge connecting the two banks of Mora Bharalu at the Barshapara-Dhirenpara junction is more than a kilometer away. However during monsoon it is risky to ferry along the banks, “says Manik Roy, a resident of Ganeshpara.
In this context, the WRD official says, “Some of such bridges which have been wrecked last year are being concretized by the Public Works Department (PWD). One such RCC bridge, to be constructed near the ‘Meen Bhawan’ at Ulubari over the Bharalu. However there is no such project for Mora Bharalu.” In the context of Bahini, he says, “ A project of approximately Rs78 lacs, has been taken up by the Civil Engineering Department for Bahini and Bashista.”
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