PALASBARI, Nov 6: Chandubi Lake, a natural waterbody formed after the devastating earthquake of 1897, is known for its scenic beauty and rich biodiversity.
However, owing to gradual ecological deterioration, the lake is now on the verge of losing its natural allure, which has prompted the district administration to explore conservation and tourism development measures.
To assess the lake’s present condition and discuss possible measures for its restoration, Kamrup District Commissioner Deba Kumar Mishra and Palasbari MLA Himangshu Shekhar Baishya, accompanied by a team of senior officials, visited Chandubi on Tuesday.
The team included Palasbari co-district Commissioner Bhaskar Jyoti Kalita, Palasbari co-district Superintendent of Police Daisy Gogoi, Circle Officer Angkita Sarma, West Kamrup Divisional Forest Officer Subodh Talukdar, Loharghat Range Officer Ratul Pathak and Kulsi Range Officer Kangkan Kaushik, among others.
During the visit, the District Commissioner and officials undertook a boat ride on the lake for nearly an hour for a first-hand assessment of its condition and identify areas requiring immediate attention.
Speaking to the media, Mishra said he had visited Chandubi several times earlier when he was the Director of Tourism, but this time he was visiting the lake as Kamrup District Commissioner. Expressing concern over its gradual deterioration, he pointed out that several portions of the lake had turned marshy and shallow.
He said the forest department had already prepared an estimate for clearing the accumulated silt and marshy patches to restore the lake’s water-holding capacity. The proposal for constructing a sluice gate at Lokeya Dara, the channel connecting Chandubi lake with the Kulsi river, was also discussed during the visit. The proposed structure is expected to regulate the water level of the lake.
Highlighting Chandubi’s tourism potential, the DC said the lake could emerge as an attractive year-round destination, offering visitors opportunities to experience its natural beauty and enjoy boating facilities in different seasons. He stressed the need for coordinated efforts to preserve its ecological character while developing tourism infrastructure.
MLA Baishya said the primary objective of the visit was to examine the problems affecting the lake and explore practical measures for its conservation. He observed that Chandubi had once encompassed a much larger area, but its water spread had gradually shrunk due to silt accumulation and the formation of marshy patches.
The MLA stressed the need for immediate cleaning and restoration measures to protect the lake. He said he would soon meet Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and the Tourism Minister to apprise them of the problems confronting Chandubi and seek their intervention.
He said that a proposal to develop the Chandubi region into an eco-tourism hub is under consideration as it could generate livelihood opportunities for local communities while ensuring environmental protection.