RASIK BIL

Crisis & response

Swaati Chaudhury on what needs to be done to save North Bengal's precious wetlands from slow but sure destruction

RASIK Beel, a well-known eco-tourist resort in Cooch Behar, holds tremendous potential as far as wetland conservation is concerned. The complex serves as a haven for scores of migratory winged visitors that visit from far-off places during winter.
Wetland complexes form significant habitat for a wide range of faunal and avian species including resident, migratory and rare birds. Conservation of the wetland ecosystem is of prime significance for the preservation of biodiversity of the region. It is extremely worrying to note that different avian species these days are bearing the brunt of rapid urbanisation.
With a view to determining the status of avian diversity in Rasik Beel, a research project called "Diversity of bird life in the Rasik Beel wetland complex of Cooch Behar" was sponsored by Cooch Behar Social Forestry in 2006. For Debashis Das, a senior lecturer in the department of zoology at Toofanganj College, the project has been his single-handed endeavour and remains one of his most cherished works till date. 
West Bengal has 0.345 million hectares of land declared as wetland complex that comprises marshes, flood plains, shallow ponds and water bodies. There is a central lake in the shape of an ox-bow at the Rasik Beel wetland complex. The wetland eco-system has a number of water bodies like Rasik Beel, Neeldoba Beel, Raichangmari Beel and Boachamari Beel. Lying between the Bura Raidhak and Ghoramara rivers, the wetland complex has a protected forest area that is categorised into tropical swamp forests. The wetland complex comprises eight hamlets and locals are mostly tribal people. The wetland complex along with the forest area constitutes the Raidhak-II riverine system that boasts a well-developed watershed area and drainage network. 
Says Das, "The wetland complex harbours a huge population of as many as 10,000 avian species, of which some are local while others are migratory visitors. Nearly 165 avian species belonging to 110 genera have been recorded from the wetland complex during our project period. There are 75 varieties of migratory birds of which 35 are exclusively migratory and the remaining 41 varieties are local migratory birds that fly down from one topography to another. There are resident birds like cormorants, egrets, herons, kingfishers and raptors that are seen round the year.
During winter, there are migratory visitors like the Brahmini duck, widgeon, lesser whistling teals and pochards coming from faraway lands." He avers that the district of Cooch Behar lying in the Terai region of the eastern Himalayas is home to many vertically migrant avian species. Around 67 avian species have been sighted at the lake area of which 19 varieties make use of the open water area for collecting food while the rest forage on the banks of the lake. 
Sound preservation of the wetland complex can transform it into a reputed waterfowl paradise. Locals need to be sensitised on the importance of maintaining the wetland complex and preserving biodiversity. 
"Locals need to be made aware of the harmful effects of fishing as well the use of chemicals for cultivation. Alternate sources of livelihood have to be provided to the fishermen without disturbing the wetland complex. There must be a complete ban on cultivation and grazing activities that affect the nesting habitat of birds.
Other human activities like motor driving, disposal of plastic bags and sound pollution should also be checked. Bio fencing of the lake area and scientific plantation of trees need to be promoted. Big trees make an ideal nesting ground and the fruit-bearing ones will serve the foragers," adds Das. 
The buildings and recreational centres in and around the wetland complex are posing a 
major threat to its eco-system. If the local administration finally wakes up and creates awareness among locals only then can the Beel be saved from slow but sure destruction. (THE STATESMAN)