Dibrugarh: Assam is planning to provide a makeover to the Maijan Wetland area in Dibrugarh under a Rs 692 crore ambitious wetland restoration initiative.Chief executive officer of Assam State Disaster Management Authority and additional chief secretary, L Sweety Changsan, conducted a detailed field inspection of the wetland area on Monday.
Accompanied by Samujjal Borah, circle officer of Dibrugarh East Revenue Circle, and officials from water resource department, the team inspected Maijan Lake and Nagaghuli Ghat, engaging with local representatives, including gaon pradhans to understand community concerns and expectations regarding the wetland rejuvenation project.Maijan Beel, an oxbow lake located approximately 12 km from Dibrugarh city, maintains a direct connection with the Brahmaputra river and sits at an elevation of 86-102 metres above mean sea level. Spread across 44.5 hectares, the water body ranges from 3 to 9 metres in depth and is completely surrounded by tea gardens. The wetland’s remarkable biodiversity includes 54 recorded fish species, 42 types of macrophytes, and a rich phytoplankton community. The wetland serves as a winter habitat for migratory birds and supports diverse flora and fauna, making it a hotspot for birdwatching enthusiasts.“The rejuvenation of Maijan Lake is not just an environmental priority but also crucial for flood management in Dibrugarh. The lake was almost on the verge of dying due to pollution and other factors. The rejuvenation will give it a new lease of life. The rejuvenation of wetlands like Maijan is important for diverting excess floodwaters from the Brahmaputra, thereby reducing the risk of inundation and erosion in the basin. We will work closely with ASDMA and local communities to ensure the project’s success,” Borah said.Maijan Lake is among 16 wetlands across Assam selected for restoration under the National Mitigation Fund.
