Deepor Beel - Guwahati
Glossy Ibis spotted at Deepor Beel
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GUWAHATI: The Deepor Beel, a Ramsar site wetland located about 15 km from the city, continues to surprise bird lovers despite the threat posed by urban sprawl as various species of birds are still seen at the wetland.
On Tuesday, a flock of Glossy Ibis (plegadis falcinellus), was spotted at the wetland for the first time. Though glossy ibis is a residential bird in Assam, bird watchers and ornithologists say that there is no record of this bird species being spotted at Deepor Beel in the past.
"Spotting a group of glossy ibis at Deepor Beel is indeed a new development. There is no past record of the bird being spotted at the wetland in the recent past. Glossy Ibis are mainly seen in the major wetlands of upper Assam and in the Pani-Dihing bird sanctuary in Sivasagar district," Anwaruddin Choudhury, who has authored numerous books on birds of the northeast, said.
The flock of birds seen at the wetland comprised about 25 birds, birdwatchers who spotted Glossy Ibis at Deepor Beel said. "In my two decades of observing birds and recording bird species at Deepor Beel, I haven't spotted any glossy ibis in this wetland," Lakhon Teron, a birdwatcher and nature guide, who resides near Deepor Beel, said.
"The spotting of a new bird species at the wetland speaks of the dynamic ecosystem of Deepor Beel, which needs the highest level of ecological protection. There has to be proper awareness on the conservation of the wetland," ecologist Parimal Chandra Bhattacharya said.
Last winter, six rosy pelicans were spotted at the wetland after a long gap. Rosy and spot-billed pelicans used to frequent Deepor Beel during winter earlier, but these and several other birds had stopped migrating to Deepor Beel.
Close to Deepor Beel at Garbhanga reserved forest, the volunteers of Help Earth, a city-based wildlife conservation NGO, on Saturday spotted luna moth (actias luna), one of the largest moth species in the world. It is very rare to spot a luna moth in the state. Last year, the moth was seen at Abhoypur Reserve Forest at Sonari in Sivasagar district.
Though spotting a new and rare species in forest areas within the city indicates a rich ecosystem, both Deepor Beel and Garbhanga are threatened by urban expansion and habitat destruction. While deforestation is a major problem in Garbhanga, the increasing construction activities close of Deepor Beel and pollution have emerged as the biggest dangers to the wetland. Conservationists said seepage of pollutants from a nearby municipal dumping site is a potent threat to the wetland ecosystem.
Accommodations In Guwahati
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| Hotel Rajmahal |
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Being the capital of Assam, Guwahati attracts a lot of tourists, both leisure and business. To accommodate them, there are ample of luxury and budget hotels. Along with numerous star rated hotels, there are government run tourist lodges and guest houses. The luxury hotels in Guwahati like Hotel Brahmaputra Ashoka, Hotel Rajmahal and Hotel Dynasty provide excellent business facilities along with superb recreational facilities. The best among the many budget hotels in Guwahati are Hotel Landmark, Hotel Ambarish and Circuit House.
How To Reach Guwahati
By AirGuwahati has the only airport in entire North East India named Lokopriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport. Indian Airways, Jet Airways and Air Deccan are the main flight operators in Guwahati. From here you have to either travel by train or road to other cities of Assam. Guwahati Airport receives international flights as well.
By Rail
Paltan Bazaar Station is the busiest station in Assam. It is the only station in Assam that is connected to other states by train. To travel to other parts of Assam, you have to get down at Guwahati and catch a connecting train. There are ample of trains to interiors of Assam.
By Road
Assam State Transport Corporation (ASTC) provides buses for inter state travel starting from the main bus stand. The road network to all parts of Assam and to other states is really impressive. The cost of travel is quite cheap affordable. It operates different types of buses like Deluxe, Super Fast Deluxe and Night Super fast Deluxe.
Local Transportation
There are prepaid taxis you can hire from the airport for local and long distances. Inside the city you will find rickshaws and auto rickshaws along with state run and private buses.
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