|
Borjuli Wetland in Assam’s Sonitpur Notified as Biodiversity Heritage Site
The Borjuli wetland in Sonitpur district, Assam, has been notified as a Biodiversity Heritage Site. The notification is issued by the State Government in consultation with local bodies under the Biological Diversity Act, 2002.
Borjuli Wetland and Biodiversity Heritage Site:
| Dimension | Key Details |
|---|---|
| Location | Borjuli wetland is located in Sonitpur District, Assam. |
| Notable species | Borjuli wetland harbours a variety of wild rice, Oryza rufipogon. |
| Wild rice linkage | Oryza rufipogon is the progenitor of present-day cultivated rice, Oryza sativa. |
| Wild rice traits | Oryza rufipogon is disease- and pest-resistant, and can tolerate flooding and saline conditions. |
| Biodiversity Heritage Site definition | Biodiversity Heritage Sites are unique, ecologically fragile ecosystems having rich biodiversity comprising some specific components. |
| Indicative components | Biodiversity Heritage Sites comprise components such as high endemism and presence of threatened species. |
| Legal basis and notifying authority | Notification is governed by the Biological Diversity Act, 2002, and is issued by the State Government in consultation with local bodies. |
| Advisory body | The National Biodiversity Authority, under the ministry of Environment, advises the State Government in the selection and management. |