Assam GK Topic

Major Wetlands Of Assam And Important Aquatic Plants Found In Them.

Assam is home to one of the richest wetland ecosystems in India. Locally known as beels, these wetlands form an integral part of the Brahmaputra floodplain and support exceptional biodiversity. Assam's wetlands include permanent freshwater lakes, seasonal floodplains, marshes, swamps, and low-lying aquatic landscapes that sustain fish, birds, livestock, and rural livelihoods.
Major Wetlands Of Assam And Important Aquatic Plants Found In Them. illustration

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Detailed Notes

Wetlands such as Deepor Beel, Son Beel, Maguri Motapung Beel, Dhir Beel, Tamaranga Beel, Dalani Beel, Urpad Beel, Kandulijaan Beel, and Sasoni Merbil are ecologically significant. Among them, Deepor Beel in Kamrup (Metropolitan) is Assam's only Ramsar Site, declared in 2002, and serves as a vital habitat for migratory birds, aquatic plants, and fish species.

These wetlands support a wide variety of aquatic plants (hydrophytes), broadly classified into floating, submerged, emergent, and marshy or amphibious plants. Common floating plants include Water Hyacinth (Meteka), Water Lettuce (Barpuni), Azolla, Salvinia, and Duckweed (Soru Puni). Submerged species such as Vallisneria, Hydrilla, and Ceratophyllum demersum play a key role in oxygenating water bodies and maintaining aquatic balance.

Emergent plants like Typha elephantina (reed mace), Sagittaria, and Cyperus species dominate shallow wetland margins, while marshy and amphibious plants such as Ipomoea aquatica (Water Spinach), Ipomoea carnea, and Alternanthera philoxeroides (Alligator Weed) thrive in seasonal wetlands and paddy fields.

Several aquatic plants are deeply connected to Assam's food culture and farming systems. Alligator Weed (Kukurathengiya) is used as fodder and leafy vegetable, Black Taro (Kola Koch) and White Taro (Boga Koch) are iron-rich wild vegetables, while Water Spinach (Kalau Shaak) is valued for nutrition, medicinal use, and water purification. Pontederia vaginalis (Kona or Bhat Meteka) and Zizaniopsis miliacea (Suhi) are closely associated with deepwater paddy cultivation like Bau Dhan, reflecting Assam's wetland-rice heritage.

Wetlands also act as natural flood buffers, groundwater recharge zones, and water purifiers. However, many wetlands face threats from pollution, siltation, overfishing, habitat fragmentation, oil exploration, and invasive species. Protecting Assam's wetlands and their aquatic plant diversity is essential for ecological balance, food security, and cultural sustainability.

Important Aquatic Plants Found in Assam

  • Water Hyacinth (Meteka)

  • Water Lettuce (Barpuni)

  • Duckweed (Soru Puni)

  • Azolla

  • Vallisneria

  • Hydrilla

  • Ceratophyllum demersum

  • Water Lily (Bhetful)

  • Lotus (Padum)

  • Typha elephantina

  • Ipomoea aquatica (Water Spinach)

  • Alternanthera philoxeroides

  • Pontederia vaginalis

  • Zizaniopsis miliacea

  • Colocasia esculenta

Important Aquatic and Wetland Plants Used in Assam (Local Use and Significance)

Apart from commonly known hydrophytes, Assam's wetlands support several locally important aquatic and semi-aquatic plants that play a vital role in traditional food systems, livestock rearing, and ecological balance. These plants are deeply rooted in rural life and wetland-based agriculture.

Alligator Weed (Alternanthera philoxeroides) – Kukurathengiya
An uncultivated but widely used aquatic plant found in wetlands and low-lying areas. It is traditionally used as green fodder for cattle, believed to enhance milk production, and also consumed as a leafy vegetable in rural Assam. Despite being invasive in nature, it remains an important component of traditional farming systems.

Black Taro – Kola Koch
A wild taro species thriving along wetland edges and marshy soils. Rich in iron and minerals, Black Taro is a valued traditional delicacy in Assamese kitchens and reflects the strong link between wetlands and indigenous food culture.

Greater Duckweed – Soru Puni
A fast-growing, protein-rich aquatic plant containing 30–40% protein (dry weight). It is commonly used as feed for fish such as Grass Carp and Tilapia. Greater Duckweed also improves water quality and oxygen levels when managed through regular harvesting.

White Taro – Boga Koch
A wild Colocasia species with pale stems, commonly used in traditional dishes and as pig feed. Larger cultivated varieties, known as Tapio, include Maan, Bhog, and Nol Kosu, which are important wetland crops in rural Assam.

Water Spinach (Ipomoea aquatica) – Kalau Shaak
A nutrient-rich aquatic leafy vegetable popular across Northeast India. It is valued for its medicinal properties, water-purifying ability, and as a natural feed source for herbivorous fish like Grass Carp.

Pontederia vaginalis – Kona or Bhat Meteka
A wild aquatic herb found in deepwater paddy fields. It is used as a leafy vegetable, livestock fodder, and in traditional medicine. Even its flowers are used in local recipes, highlighting its deep cultural and dietary importance.

Zizaniopsis miliacea – Suhi
A wild paddy-like grass found alongside Bau Dhan in deepwater fields. Though its grains are coarse and infertile (locally called Mota Dhan), it serves as natural fodder and represents Assam's wetland rice heritage and ecological balance.

Elytrigia repens – Soral Ghaah
A perennial wetland grass commonly found in marshy and lowland areas. It tolerates waterlogging and is widely used as green fodder for cattle.

Hymenachne amplexicaulis – Dol Ghaah
A flood-tolerant wetland grass grown alongside deepwater paddy such as Bau Dhan. It becomes a crucial fodder source for livestock during floods and prolonged waterlogging.

Quick Info Table on Aquatic Plants in Wetlands of Assam

AspectDetails
Local Name of WetlandsBeels
Largest WetlandSon Beel(Sribhumi)
Ramsar SiteDeepor Beel
Major Plant TypesFloating, Submerged, Emergent
Key Floating PlantsMeteka, Barpuni, Azolla
Ecological RoleFlood control, fish habitat, water purification
ThreatsPollution, siltation, invasive species
Cultural ImportanceFood, fodder, rice cultivation