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-   -   Guwahati getaways: Chandubi Lake (https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/travelogues/87039-guwahati-getaways-chandubi-lake-4.html)

The sad face because this waterbody is in Guwahati itself and quickly dissapering. On top of that elephants who visit the lake from Garbhanga forest are being killed by trains as the south bank train line crosses this elephant corridor.

Nobody in the government gives a damn as who will make money saving elephants. So Indian Railways wont shift the line away from the elephant corridor even though there is much space available for a diversion.

On an average 12 to 15 elephants are being killed by Indian Railways in Deepor Beel every year.

For now few quick visit pictures. Will post some more in the near future.

Few links on Deepor Beel & Elephant incidents



The Telegraph - Calcutta (Kolkata) | Northeast | Train hits blind jumbo near Deepor Beel


People for Animals block railway tracks - Flora & Fauna - Environment - The Economic Times


EM Case Studies


wild elephants searching food in India | Demotix.com

Eco-tourism flourishes on banks of Chandubi lake

Kabita Duarah

Setting a precedent, an entire forest village just 60 km away from the capital city has not only accepted the concept of eco-tourism but in an unbelievably short span of time has given a concrete shape to the concept by establishing a vegetarian eco-camp under the support of the forest department, the Borduwar Bholegaon Anchalik Rabha Students’ Union and Wave Eco-tourism. Named Chandubi eco-camp as it is surrounded by the breathtakingly beautiful Chandubi lake, the camp, which is complete with cottages build above the ground with support of Sal trees, is the outcome of the whole-hearted involvement of people like Sanjay Rabha, Molen Rabha, Boloram Rabha and others. All villagers of Joramukhuria, these people do not have higher education, but are open to new ideas that can change their way of living and improve the overall status of their community.
It needs to be mentioned here that Joramukhuria is a village located on the fringe area of Loharghat range of West Kamrup Forest Division, and the economic condition of all the villagers belonging to the Rabha community is pitiable. Most of them depend on their boats as a means of livelihood and some till their land which does not produce enough to meet the yearly requirement of rice to sustain a family.
But what is significant about this village that struggles to survive is that before the concept of eco-tourism was explained to them by youths outside their village, they had, on their own initiative, started protecting the valuable Sal trees on the bank of the Chandubi lake.
“Many years ago, the bank of the Chandubi was full of Sal trees. But gradually the Sal trees began disappearing as it has high demand in the market. We became very concerned at this development as we forest dwellers are intimately connected to Nature and started protecting the remaining Sal trees,” said Molen Rabha. Molen has a boat to sustain his family.
When asked how the concept of eco-tourism caught his fancy, Molen said that he wanted ensure his children had a better future and that when the concept of eco-tourism was explained to him he readily embraced it as it would guarantee profitable income as well as protect the environment.
Sanjay, who is the camp manager said that all the people of his village have come forward to be a part of the eco-tourism efforts as they wanted a means of livelihood that was sustainable and ensured the well-being of the forest.
Apart from provision of taking tourists to sight-seeing, the camp gives the backpackers a glimpse into the lifestyle of the Rabha community.

@san: seen in one of the picture, isn't the viewing area in your windscreen too less? Does not it hinder your vision.

I am not a summer person, and unless the front glass is covered this way i get severe headache.

Since this place is within Guwahati metro limit, was able to visit it during durga puja break. Road condition have worsened, land grabbing on the rise and there were few signs saying if you encroach upon the lake area, fine is 50,000 only.

Deepor Beel pictures batchII

As one take the right turn after crossing Gorchuk, the noise from the highway are gone but a few minutes drive & the traffic can still be seen. Another eye sore is the vanishing greenery of the adjoining hills of Garbhanga forest and farmland turning into factories and godowns.

Finally one reaches the first of the two railway crossing & two rail bridges. This is the spot of many accidents as the whole area is a elephant corridor. Though railways has 20 km ph limit at this streatch it is of no use.

Elephants are being killed every month and this will continue and only increase unless the line is relocated towards the highway.

As i was checking the railway crossing point and first bridge i heared some noise that i mistook for cow bells, so was little late and could not take closer shot of the elephants as they crossed the gate.

Pictures of the second bridge on the elephant corridor and the two domesticated elephants.

If you would see my Bhutan log, it shows what measures the BRO has taken on the Pathsala Bhutan road to preven elephant deaths in forest areas known to be elephant corridoor.

But here in Deepor Beel its just the opposite, the railway track is being laid to maximise elephant death's.