BARPETA May 13 � Greenland, an NGO dedicated to environmental research and education has urged the government to preserve some of the wetlands in Barpeta district and establish birds� sanctuary there. In a memorandum submitted to the deputy commissioner, Barpeta the NGO stated that the Kapala beel near Sarthebari, Bariya beel near Sundaridia and the Sarbhog beel near Sarbhog in Barpeta district are �very� rich in bio- diversity. Apart from being natural habitat of several indigenous fishes, reptiles and bird that live amidst wetlands are the most sought after destinations of migratory birds from various parts of the globe. So these should be preserved and birds� sanctuary be established there.
The other demands of the NGO included detail survey of all the wetlands of the district to identify the dangers posed by them. This survey may be conducted by both remote sensing and field study method. Special campaign should be initiated to make people aware about the importance of wetlands and need to preserve them. All kinds of encroachments in the wetlands should be evicted immediately. Endangered fishes should be reared and preserved in those wetlands identified as suitable habitats for them.
The NGO also demanded that use of pesticides in the farmlands near to the wetlands should be banned so that the water does not become polluted, imposition of prohibitory order on fishing and hunting in the wetland areas and exemplary punishments to those violating these orders. All the wetlands should be brought under the control of the government and NGOs should be entrusted the responsibity to protect and maintain them.
