Assam Wetland Communities Adapt As Changing Climate Alters Son Beel

Wetland Livelihoods

More than 50,000 people depend directly on Son Beel, the largest seasonal wetland in Assam, for their daily survival. As winter begins in mid-November, retreating waters expose land around villages like Dargarbond, allowing farmer Arup Das to release his ducks to feed on snails and aquatic plants.

Farming Challenges

Climate change, erratic rainfall, soil erosion, and siltation now threaten these traditional livelihoods. Arup started integrated farming in 2014 and now rears Nageshwari ducks, Sonali chickens, and grows winter crops like boro rice and pulses. However, high setup and labor costs mean only about 5% of farmers in the region have adopted such diversification.

Fishing Pressures

Fishermen face similar hurdles as fish diseases, pollution, and shrinking wetland depths reduce catches. Traditional fishers report that species like chapila and pabda are becoming rare, while officials note that 14 of the wetland's 24 group fisheries are now non-productive.

Context

Seasonal wetlands naturally expand during monsoons and contract in dry months, shaping local fish habitats and agriculture cycles. When environmental degradation disrupts this balance, vulnerable rural communities must find new ways to secure food and income.