Silchar : Assam University, Silchar, is gearing up to host Sonbeel Utsav 2.0 on 7 February 2026, an event designed to highlight the ecological, cultural, and scientific importance of Sonbeel, the largest freshwater wetland in Asia. This year’s edition will be organised in collaboration with Rabindranath Tagore University, Hojai, a partnership aimed at strengthening academic ties and widening regional participation.

A preparatory meeting was held at Hemanga Biswas Sabhakakshya in the Vice Chancellor’s Secretariat. During the meeting, Assam University Vice Chancellor Prof. Rajive Mohan Pant said the Utsav aligns with the larger vision of Bemisal Barak, and added that the university is counting on support from people across the Barak Valley to make the programme a success.

Joining online, Rabindranath Tagore University Vice Chancellor Prof. Manabendra Dutta Choudhury underlined how Sonbeel Utsav 2.0 could benefit both the Sonbeel area and the wider region.

Last year’s inaugural edition drew strong participation from researchers, environmentalists, students, and local communities. Field visits, exhibitions, biodiversity discussions, and cultural programmes formed the core of Sonbeel Utsav 1.0.

Experts spoke on pollution, siltation, loss of fish diversity, and the challenges faced by communities dependent on the wetland. The programme created an effective platform where scientific understanding met local experience and laid the groundwork for this year’s expanded event.

In this year’s preparatory session, Prof. Arun Jyoti Nath, coordinator of Sonbeel Utsav 2.0, gave a presentation on the social roles taken up by Assam University after the first Utsav, including its support in creating homestay facilities at Sonbeel.

Although Sonbeel Utsav 2.0 will be a one-day programme, the organisers aim to make it more focused and engaging under the Bemisal Barak vision. With RTU Hojai joining in, the event will include cultural activities, awareness programmes, and discussions centered on sustainable development of the wetland. Assam University officials noted that the Utsav is more than an academic gathering.

It is a collective regional effort to strengthen ecological awareness, cultural identity, and responsible tourism, and they expressed confidence that people from across the Barak Valley will participate wholeheartedly.

The meeting was attended by Dr. Pradosh Kiran Nath (Registrar and Convenor, Sonbeel Utsav 2), Dr. Subhodeep Dhar (Finance Officer), Prof. Piyush Pandey (Director, IQAC), Dr. Angshuman Sen (Director, Computer Centre), Prof. Anupam Das Talukdar, Prof. Amitabh Bhattacharjee, Prof. Syed Murtaza Alfarid, Dr. Aditi Nath, Dr. Joyshree Dey, Dr. Arnab Paul, Dr. Ajita Tiwari, Dr. Jagannath Barman, Dr. Sujit Ghose, Dr. Amit Kumar Das, Dr. Bishwa Ranjan Roy, Dr. Lurai Rangmai, Navajyoti Nath, Arijit Goswami, Swapnodeep Sen, Kutub Uddin, Sandeep Das, Bhaskar Goswami, and others.