Written by, July 15 -- Kishor Kumar Kalita & Mahesh Deka

On the southwestern fringe of Guwahati, where the city's expanding skyline gives way to marshes, reed beds and open water, lies Deepor Beel - a sprawling freshwater wetland that has long served as one of Assam's most valuable ecological assets. Recognised as the state's only Ramsar site and an Important Bird Area, the wetland is more than a biodiversity hotspot. It is a natural flood buffer for Guwahati, a seasonal refuge for migratory birds, a traditional fishing ground, and a crucial corridor linking elephant habitats in the Rani and Garbhanga reserve forests.

Today, Deepor Beel stands at the centre of one of Assam's most contentious environmental debates.

The Northeast Frontie...