Guwahati, Oct. 14 -- The historic Khamranga Beel at Chandrapur, on the outskirts of Guwahati city, is being buried under earth and boulders for the proposed Ring Road project, triggering protests over the destruction of a vital elephant habitat, damage to agricultural land and threats to local livelihoods.

Residents and students' organisations have alleged that the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) is pushing ahead with the road construction by dumping hundreds of truckloads of earth into the wetland, despite earlier assurances that an elevated bridge would be built to protect its ecosystem.

According to locals, nearly half of the wetland has already been filled, raising concerns over the loss of a natural habitat used by wild...