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Time of India

Dibrugarh charts roadmap for urban waterbody protection

Dibrugarh: In a push for sustainable urban water management, Dibrugarh district commissioner Bikram Kairi chaired a district-level committee meeting on Wednesday to discuss the rollout of the "Assam Urban Area Waterbody Conservation and Development Act, 2024", along with its accompanying rules. Held at the DC's office, the meeting brought together top officials to strategise on conserving and developing urban waterbodies, with emphasis on flood mitigation, eco-tourism, and ecological restoration. The new law aims to regulate, protect, and rejuvenate waterbodies within notified master plan areas across Assam. Key objectives include transforming these assets into natural reservoirs, eco-tourism zones, and sustainable fisheries, while curbing encroachment and environmental degradation. The Act also prioritises the use of waterbodies in urban flood management — a pressing need in flood-prone districts like Dibrugarh. "This Act is a landmark step toward preserving our waterbodies, which are vital for ecological balance, livelihoods, and disaster resilience. We're moving toward an integrated framework that tackles multiple urban challenges through scientific conservation, community engagement, and sustainable development," said DC Kairi. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Esta nueva alarma con cámara es casi regalada en Temperley (ver precio) Verisure Más información Undo The committee also reviewed the "Assam Urban Area Waterbody Conservation and Development Rules, 2025," which define the committee's role in identifying and demarcating urban waterbodies, preventing illegal encroachments and pollution, and promoting eco-tourism and fisheries to support local economies. Integrating these waterbodies into flood control systems was a key focus. The meeting underscored how urban waterbodies could be used as natural infrastructure for flood mitigation, potentially reducing monsoon-related risks in vulnerable city zones. Senior officials in attendance included Biswajit Bhuyan (deputy director, town & country planning), Bipul Kumar Das (CEO, Dibrugarh zila parishad), Jay Vikas (commissioner, Dibrugarh Municipal Corporation), Ashim Hazarika (chairperson, Dibrugarh development authority), and other department heads and committee members. Prominent educationist Jyotirmoy Hazarika and executive officer Novas Das also participated.