A recent land allotment notice by the Deputy Commissioner (DC) of Kamrup district has sparked intense backlash from residents and environmental groups, who allege the move threatens a centuries-old ecological treasure—Dora Beel.

The public notice, dated April 7, 2025, states that 150 bighas of land in Rampur Mouza, under the Palashbari Revenue Circle, will be handed over to M/S New Kolkata International Development Pvt. Ltd. for the construction of a logistic park.

The land includes a historically and ecologically significant wetland and grazing area that locals say has supported livelihoods and biodiversity for over 700 years.

Land Allotted From Protected Grazing And Wetland Zones

According to the notice, the proposed site includes 83 bighas, 2 kathas, and 14 lessas of land from Dag No. 610, currently classified as cattle grazing ground, and 66 bighas, 2 kathas, and 6 lessas from Dag No. 244, spread across 1 No. and 2 No. Rampur villages. Authorities have invited public objections within a month of the notice's release.

However, locals argue that the timeframe is insufficient. “Many villagers couldn’t respond in time due to holidays and panchayat election activities,” said a resident. “It feels like the notice was deliberately timed to suppress opposition.”

Dora Beel: An Ecological And Cultural Lifeline

Dora Beel—also known locally as Beel Dora—is revered not only as a grazing land but as an ecological hub that sustains thousands of lives through fishing, animal husbandry, and farming.

“This is not just a piece of land,” said Prasenjit Kalita, a local schoolteacher.

“Dora Beel is a heritage site, home to rare species of birds, fish, and plants. Destroying it would mean destroying the soul of this community.”

Environmental studies and ongoing PhD research highlight Dora Beel’s ecological significance.

According to local conservation groups, the wetland supports:

• Over 200 species of native and migratory birds

• 67 species of fish

• 30+ species of reptiles

• 26 ornamental and 7 medicinal plant varieties

• 25 species of butterflies

Moreover, it serves as a breeding ground for the endangered river dolphin, which relies on the Kulchi River and Dora Beel’s estuary for survival.

Livelihoods And Flood Risk At Stake

The proposed project also endangers the livelihoods of villagers from over 15 nearby settlements, including Sarutejpur, Bartejpur, Kukurmara, Amtala Sattra, and others. These communities depend on the beel and grazing ground for livestock rearing and farming.

“There will be no space for water runoff once the wetland is filled. We’ll face artificial floods every monsoon,” warned another villager.

Environmental groups echo this concern, noting that the wetland plays a critical role in natural water retention for adjacent agricultural lands.

Environmentalists Call For Eco-Tourism Over Industry

The Dorabeel-Go-Sarania-Patherpar Paribesh Sangrakshan aru Unnayan Samiti, a local environmental organisation, has submitted a formal appeal to the DC’s office, demanding the cancellation of the allotment.

The group advocates for transforming Dora Beel into an eco-tourism destination instead—preserving biodiversity while promoting sustainable livelihoods.

“In an already polluted landscape—where industrial effluents have nearly killed off aquatic life in the Kulsi and Batha rivers—adding another private project would be catastrophic,” the Samiti said in a statement.

“Public health is already under threat. This will only make it worse,” the statement added.

What’s Next?

While the district administration maintains that all legal procedures have been followed, activists insist the process has ignored public sentiment and ecological science.

“Progress should never come at the cost of heritage and habitat,” said one environmentalist.

“The people of Kamrup have spoken. It’s time for the administration to listen,” the environmentalist added.

As the deadline for objections approaches, all eyes remain on the Kamrup DC’s office to see whether the public outcry will prompt a policy rethink—or whether development will steamroll one of Assam’s last remaining wetlands.

To know more about the locals' voices, click the link below.

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