Fulbari Mahananda Barrage

Quite oblivious to the residents of Siliguri, the de facto capital of North Bengal, there is a wetland right in the outskirts of the town. Here we can meet with a lot of distant visitors who remain our guest for the winter.

Fulbari Mahananda Barrage wetland is located at the junction of river Mahananda & Teesta canal. It is the nearest official wetland from Siliguri. The other recorded wetlands near the town of Siliguri are Gajoldoba & Mechi river.

Recently the wetland was surveyed by the local NGO GEPS(Green Environment Preservation Society) under the guidance of SACON(Selim Ali Centre of Ornithology & Nature), Coimbatore and Prakriti Samsad, Calcutta.

According to the findings of the three day long survey, the existence of the wetland is in grave danger. The ecology and biodiversity of the wetland is detoriating due to the ignorance and carelessness of man.

BirdsBrahmany duckCormorantEgretPartincoleNorthern lapwingOsprey

FishesRohuKoiTakiChangSholPuntiMagurSingiMrigel

PlantsSpirogyra

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON THE WETLAND

NAME OF THE WETLAND: FULBARI(MAHANANDA) BARRAGE

STATE: WEST BENGAL

DISTRICT : DARJEELING

1) Overall trend in the fish yield/harvest over the last 5-6 years: Decreased 30%

2) Species wise particulars if any:Yield of Clarias batrachus, Heteropneustes fossilis increased but fishes like Labeo rohita, Anabas testudineus, Shole(local name), Phali(local name), Bhal(local name) decreased abruptly.Some local fishes like Boroli(local name), Bheda(local name) are no longer available in the wetland since 2-3 years. The scientific names of the above mentioned fishes will be intimated to you shortly.

3) Probable reason:The water of the barrage wetland seems to be highly polluted because large amount of effluents from a local distillery(Prakash Distillery as mentioned by the local people) mixes with Panchanoi river which in its course joins the Mahananda river. The Mahananda river of Siliguri is also highly polluted due to large number of cattle ranches situated besides the river and lot of sewage of the city flows to the Mahananda river. Moreover large amount of pesticides mixes with the barrage water. Details will be intimated to you with the survey sheets of the wetland.

4) Do industrial effluents join the wetland? YesLarge amount of effluents from a local distillery(Prakash Distillery as mentioned the local people) mixes with Panchanoi river which in its course joins the Mahananda river.

5) Whether the wetland is subjected to seasonal vegetation? Yes

6) Agricultural activity close by: Yes

7) Name of the crop cultivated:Paddy and vegetables like cabbage, cauliflower, brinjal, etc.

8) Name of the pesticides applied on the crop to control pests:Rogger, Besathin, Miraculin, Demicron, Furadon, Thianide, Gamaxene.

NB: The above names of the pesticides are obtained from the local people, so spelling/punctuation may differ.

9) Name of the fertilisers used. Any incidence of mortality of fish or bird in the wetland in the recent past? If so please provide details.

Fertilisers used are Urea, Super phosphate, Potash and DAP. During the late winter season(February), large number of dead fishes floats on the water. The villagers point to the massive use of pesticides for this mortality of fish.

Station: SiliguriDate: 13/01/2002