Deepor Beel Wildlife Sanctuary - Largest Perennial Freshwater Lakes of Assam.

 

Deepor Beel or Dipor Bil is a permanent freshwater lake that is surrounded by immense natural. It is located southwest of Guwahati and is one of the extensive and vital riverine wetlands in the Brahmaputra Valley of lower Assam. In the Assamese language, Beel means a huge aquatic body. It is known to be one of the largest Beels in the Brahmaputra valley of Lower Assam area under the Burma Monsoon Forest biogeography region. Deepor Beel is considered a vital aspect of Guwahati tourism because it has both biological and environmental importance.

 

 

14 sq km of the total area of Deepor Beel sanctuary was declared as a Bird Sanctuary by the Assam Government in 1989. This lake found itself on the list of wetlands under the Ramsar Convention in November 2002, in the form of a Ramsar Site for conservation methods for environmental and biological significance. Deeper Beel has also been declared an Important Bird Area with high priority for conservation by BirdLife International. Recently, the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change notified the eco-sensitive zone of the Deepor Beel Wildlife Sanctuary.

 

 

Deepor Beel is known to be the natural habitat of as many as 219 species of birds that also including over 70 species of migratory birds. In addition, it is known to be the largest gathering of aquatic birds during the winter season, when around 19000 water birds can be spotted in one day. Lesser adjutant stork, spot-billed pelican, Pallas’ sea eagle, greater adjutant stork, and Baer’s pochard are some of the threatened avifauna species that can be seen here. Regular migratory birds here include the Siberian crane and waterfowl.

 

 

Deepor Beel is home to around 12 lizard species, 20 kinds of amphibians, 6 tortoise and turtle species, along with 18 species of snakes. The wetlands and rivers here are called home by more than 50 species of fish. Some of the land animals here include Wild Asian elephants, barking deer, leopard, elephants, sambar, and Chinese porcupine.

 

 

Buses to the sanctuary are available from the destinations in Assam. You can also hire a cab to reach the sanctuary. Guwahati is the nearest Railway Station & Airport.

 

October to March is the best time to visit Deepor Beel Wildlife Sanctuary.