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About Me
Hi, I am Rupam Bhaduri
I am a doctoral candidate from Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, pursuing research on analyzing the inclusion of future climate dynamics in the hydropower decision making process with a lens of Political Ecology. My study area has been Brahmaputra river basin with emphasis on Bhutan & India. In addition to my research, I take deep interest in observing and studying birds.
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Biodiversity
The Brahmaputra basin which extends from the high elevated Tibet to the floodplains of Bangladesh, offers a biodiverse setup on which numerous natural habitats flourish. Meadows, rainforest, wetland, grassland, riverbank are some of the well-known habitats where the ecology thrives. Among these exists a lesser-known ecosystem which is often looked either in terms of engineering or human aspect; the flood-plain sediments or vernacularly called as Char-Chaporis. It is a highly dynamic landform present pre-dominantly in the floodplains. They undergo alterations every post monsoon flood, making the Char-Chapori ecosystem sensitive and fragile. However, little is known about the biodiversity of Char-Chaporis. Flood-plain sediments primarily hold several species of grasses such as Saccharum spontaneum, Saccharum ravennae, Phragmite sp. etc. These grasses play a vital role in holding the soil of the Char-Chapori which reduces the extent of erosion. In addition to protecting the soil, these grasses also provide suitable habitat for the growth of fauna. Many avian species find the grassland apt for nesting and breeding, such as Swamp Grass Babbler, Striated Grassbird, Graceful Prinia etc. Migratory bird species such as White-tailed Stonechat, Bristled Grassbird etc. too successfully breed in these habitats. Humans too have been seasonally inhabiting alongside the flora and fauna of Char-Chaporis for decades now. These floodplain-sediments provide excellent ecosystem services by creating a platform for cattle grazing during the non-monsoon seasons. The grass which grows are used as fodder for livestock. Seasonal agriculture is also practiced on the land which has become one of the primary sources of livelihood for the dwellers. However, a negative impact on the biodiversity can be observed with the accelerating rate of dependence on the ecosystem. Rampant clearing of the grasses is leading to faster erosion, followed by loss of habitat. Char-Chaporis outside protected area are usually overlooked by the Government bodies putting a threat to this unique biodiversity. On the other hand, dependence of Char dwellers on the land and biodiversity can only be reduced by providing them with sufficient livelihood opportunities. Additionally, research to investigate the diversity of species within the Char-Chapori is needed which can provide way forward for conservation.

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TASRIN SHAHNAZ says,
Nice clicks
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