Guwahati: Assam’s historic Pahugarh, a 17th-century aquatic park excavated by Ahom king Rudra Singha as part of the Rangpur capital complex, is facing serious ecological decline, raising alarm among conservationists and heritage observers.
Located 5 km from Sivasagar, Pahugarh can be regarded as Asia’s first natural zoo during 1696–1714. It was initially built for animals, but over time it has become home to thousands of migratory birds.
Once known as an important winter refuge for thousands of migratory aquatic birds, the historic waterbody is now struggling with shrinking water levels, habitat degradation, and inadequate protection.
According to reports, a damaged sluice gate is located along the western bank of the waterbody. The structure, originally built to regulate the flow of water from the ponds to an outer stream, has broken down, allowing water to drain rapidly from the ponds.
As a result, the water level in several pools has been receding at an alarming rate, exposing large stretches of mudflats and threatening the delicate ecological balance of the wetland.
Experts warn that if the water-retention capacity of the Pahugarh pond is not restored soon, the habitat may fail to sustain the large populations of migratory birds that traditionally gather here during winter.
These birds rely on the wetland as a crucial resting and feeding ground during their long journeys from distant regions, replenishing energy by feeding on small fish and aquatic organisms found in the ponds.
The wetland regularly hosts a rich variety of avian visitors, including greylag geese, bar-headed geese, glossy ibis, pelicans, pochards, moorhens, various species of egrets, jacanas, and even adjutant storks. For many of these birds, the waterbody serves as a vital stopover in the broader network of wetlands across the Brahmaputra valley.
However, environmental observers say the ecological health of the waterbody is being steadily undermined. Unscrupulous fishermen are suspected of exploiting the damaged sluice gate to drain water from the ponds, making it easier to catch fish.
The resulting loss of fish populations directly affects migratory birds, which depend on these aquatic resources for survival.
Despite the ecological importance of the site, effective protection appears to be lacking. Though the Sivasagar district administration issued an order under Section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure in 1973 prohibiting fishing, hunting, littering, and loud music within the Pahugarh area, violations reportedly continue due to the absence of proper security arrangements.
Another emerging concern is the large-scale removal of fertile topsoil from nearby Jerenga Pathar through earth-cutting activities by excavators and dumpers.
Conservationists warn that such rampant removal of fertile topsoil is degrading the surrounding habitat that supports aquatic birds, which often feed on green shoots, herbs, and grasses growing in nearby fields.
They stress the urgent need for restoration measures, including repairing the sluice gate, increasing the water-holding capacity of the ponds, strengthening monitoring mechanisms, and protecting the surrounding ecological landscape.
Beyond its ecological importance, Pahugarh also represents a valuable cultural legacy of the Ahom era and forms an integral part of the historical landscape of Sivasagar.
Unless timely conservation measures are undertaken, observers warn that the historic wetland, once a thriving sanctuary for migratory birds, may gradually lose both its ecological vitality and heritage value.