A Review on the Aquatic Faunal and Floral Diversity of Diplai Beel Wetland of Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR) of Western Assam, India.

Beels or wetlands are considered as ecotonal habitats with rich biota which serves humanity in various aspects of livelihood. However, human encroachment, pollutions, and unsystematic fishing practices as well as poaching of avian species which are dependent on those wetlands poses significant threats to the wetland ecosystem. The current review work aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the biodiversity of Diplai Beel focusing on diversity of flora and fauna and the ecological significance of the wetland. The present paper provides an overview of rich flora and fauna of the wetland including 67 fish species, 27 species of aquatic insects, 99 bird species, 33 species of macrophytes, 7 phytoplankton species, 9 species of reptiles and 9 species of amphibians. This paper also highlights the immediate requirements for integrated wetland management strategies, habitat restoration and community-based conservation initiatives to sustain the ecological integrity of Diplai Beel. There is an urgent need of conservation, protection and management as this wetland is unscientifically used by the surrounding local people. Cutting of the forest area for agricultural practices in the catchment area by shrinking water area and converting fresh water ecosystem into commercial fisheries by local authorities, unwanted use of pesticides for cultivations, unsustainable collection of edible water plants for selling in the markets, cleaning of minor hydrophytes by fishing nets etc, are creating ecological imbalance in Diplai Beel. These are the collective effects showing variation in the water qualities of Diplai Beel. Field Surveys and Secondary data collection were conducted to document species richness and habitat conditions. Preliminary findings indicate the presence of diverse flora and fauna including fishes, zooplanktons, phytoplankton, reptiles, amphibians, aquatic flora, different avian species etc.

@article{palki2026,
  author  = {Palki Hazarika* and Dibyanita Mushahary},
  title   = {{A Review on the Aquatic Faunal and Floral Diversity of Diplai Beel Wetland of Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR) of Western Assam, India.}},
  journal = {Journal of Bioresearch},
  year    = {2026},
  volume  = {5},
  number  = {1},
  pages   = {1-6},
  doi     = {https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.17351958},
}