Maguri Motapung Beel - Wetland in Assam

The Maguri Motapung Beel is a wetland in Assam, rich in biodiversity. It is located nearly 10 km from the Dibru-Saikhowa National Park and is a part of the Dibru-Saikhowa Biosphere Reserve. The wetland is home to diverse species and has been in the news for sightings of certain rare species, such as the Mandarin duck.

The Maguri Motapung Beel has faced various issues due to environmental damage. The most notable was the Baghjhan oil and gas leak that led to an explosion in Oil India's Baghjhan gas well.

Key Facts About the Maguri Motapung Beel

The Maguri Motapung Beel wetland is a part of the Dibru-Saikhowa Biosphere Reserve, which connects the national park in Assam to Namdapha National Park in Arunachal Pradesh.

• Maguri Motapung Beel derives its name from Magur,' the local word for the catfish Clarius batrachus, which was once abundantly present in this wetland.
• Motapung is the name of a nearby village, and Beel is the Assamese word for the wetland.
• The wetland is located near the confluence of the three rivers that form the Brahmaputra.
• The Dibru river flows from east to west through the wetland, and the Lohit river flows to its north.
• It is a critical wetland area as it is home to a large number of species of birds and fishes.
• Its landscape also hosts various species of mammals, reptiles, amphibians, and butterflies.
• In 1996, Maguri Motapung Beel has declared an Important Bird and Biodiversity Area as it is a habitat for several bird species, including endangered and vulnerable bird species.
• Eight of its bird species have been listed on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, including the Falcated Duck, Ferruginous duck, and Swamp Prinia.
• The Maguri Motapung Beel has about 84 species of fish, including the Golden Mahaseer.

Recent News About Maguri Motapung Beel

Maguri Motapung Beel has recently been in the news for certain reasons.

• In May 2020, there was an oil and gas leak in a nearby Oil India gas well in Baghjhan, causing a blowout and fire.
• This accident caused major damage to wildlife in the region as a large number of fish, snakes, and birds died, including the endangered Gangetic dolphins.
• The rare Mandarin Duck was first sighted in Maguri Motapung Beel in February 2021 and then subsequently sighted on other occasions.
• The Mandarin Duck is an East Asian bird with colourful plumage.
• It rarely visits India and was last spotted in Assam in 1902.
• Recently, there have been efforts to develop eco-tourism in Maguri Motapung Beel due to the many migratory birds that make it interesting for bird-watching and tourist visits.

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Importance of the Maguri Motapung Beel

Wetlands are important ecosystems that provide a variety of ecosystem services. They are also important for fisheries, tourism, and coastline protection. The Maguri Motapung Beel is a critical wetland as it is the habitat of a large variety of wildlife, and it hosts several migratory bird species. It falls within the eco-sensitive zone of the biosphere reserve. It is also important for the people in the surrounding villages who rely on it for their livelihood and sustenance, particularly for fishing.

FAQs on Maguri Motapung Beel

Q.1. What is the Maguri Motapung Beel?

The Maguri Motapung Beel is a wetland in Assam known for its biodiversity.

Q.2. Which biosphere does the Maguri Motapung Beel form a part of?

The Maguri Motapung Beel forms a part of the Dibru-Saikhowa Biosphere Reserve.

Q.3. Which National Park is near Maguri Motapung Beel?

Dibru-Saikhowa National Park is near Maguri Motapung Beel.

Q.4. Which fish does the Maguri Motapung Beel derive its name from?

Maguri Motapung Beel derives its name from the Magur fish, which used to be abundantly present there.

Q.5. What was the accident that caused major damage to the Maguri Motapung Beel?

The accident that caused major damage to the Maguri Motapung Beel was the Baghjhan oil and gas leak.