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Agriculture
Borjuli Wetland in Assam Declared Biodiversity Heritage Site to Protect Wild Rice
✍️ ddnews.gov.in
🗓 19 Sep 2026, 06:01 AM
👁 9
The Borjuli wetland in Assam has been officially notified as a Biodiversity Heritage Site, aiming to conserve its native wild rice varieties.
The state government of Assam, in coordination with the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, has formally notified the Borjuli wetland as a Biodiversity Heritage Site (BHS). The designation is made under the Biological Diversity Act, 2002, to protect the unique ecosystem of the area.
Borjuli is home to natural stands of wild rice (Oryza rufipogon), a genetic resource valued for its resilience and potential use in crop‑breeding programmes. Preserving these rice populations is critical as they face pressure from habitat loss and agricultural expansion.
With BHS status, stricter protection measures will be enforced, including regulation of land‑use changes, monitoring of water quality, and community‑based management involving local residents. Authorities intend to draft a management plan that balances ecological preservation with sustainable livelihoods.
Environmental groups have welcomed the move, noting that safeguarding wild rice not only conserves biodiversity but also supports climate‑resilient agriculture in the region.
Borjuli is home to natural stands of wild rice (Oryza rufipogon), a genetic resource valued for its resilience and potential use in crop‑breeding programmes. Preserving these rice populations is critical as they face pressure from habitat loss and agricultural expansion.
With BHS status, stricter protection measures will be enforced, including regulation of land‑use changes, monitoring of water quality, and community‑based management involving local residents. Authorities intend to draft a management plan that balances ecological preservation with sustainable livelihoods.
Environmental groups have welcomed the move, noting that safeguarding wild rice not only conserves biodiversity but also supports climate‑resilient agriculture in the region.