Silsako Lake

Silsako Lake, also called Silsako Beel, is a wetland and lake located in the heart of Guwahati city in Kamrup Metropolitan district, Assam. It stretches about 5 kilometers in length and around 250 meters wide on average. Surrounded by areas such as Satgaon, Hengrabari, and Mathgharia, the lake functions as a natural stormwater reservoir for the city, playing a key role in managing monsoon floods by storing runoff waters from nearby hills and channels.

Over time, the wetland has suffered from heavy encroachment, pollution from city sewage, and reduced water retention due to siltation. Several eviction drives have been made to reclaim the encroached lands and restore the lake’s capacity. Despite challenges, it supports local biodiversity, including birdlife, and efforts are ongoing to revitalize and conserve it.

The lake is recognized under the Guwahati Water Bodies (Preservation and Conservation) Act 2008 and has significant ecological and urban importance for flood control and environmental balance within Guwahati. Planned restoration projects with substantial funding aim to improve the lake’s condition and its surroundings for both ecological health and public use.