In a bid to boost tourism and promote water sports, the Assam government has decided to simplify the rules for organizing events at Deepor Beel, a renowned freshwater lake in the state.
The decision was announced by Assam Environment and Forest Minister Chandra Mohan Patowary on Monday. He stated that the state cabinet will soon take a final decision in this regard.
Speaking at the closing ceremony of a fest held at Deepor Beel, Patowary said, “We are contemplating simplifying some rules to make it easier to organize events for tourism without the need for environmental clearance.”
He further added that the government is exploring avenues to further encourage tourism activities in the water body. Deepor Beel, located around 10 km from Guwahati, is famed for its rich biodiversity and has immense potential for tourism development.
The minister also acknowledged the objections raised by the Forest Department for conducting certain events at Deepor Beel. He assured that the government will work on streamlining the rules to facilitate more tourism activities without compromising environmental concerns.
Patowary believes that simplifying the rules will not only boost tourism but also benefit Deepor Beel itself.
The freshwater lake recently played host to the four-day ‘The Rising Sun Water Fest – Revisiting Saraighat’, an event commemorating the Battle of Saraighat in 1671. Organized jointly by the Assam government and the Army, the fest showcased the tourism potential of Deepor Beel.
The first edition of the fest was held at Umiam lake in Meghalaya last year.