Cachar, June 3 -- Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Tuesday visited Cachar district to take stock of the prevailing flood situation and emphasised that conserving wetlands in and around cities is one of the most effective ways to mitigate urban flooding.

Sarma underlined the environmental threat posed by the depletion of wetlands.

He said that wetlands in and around Silchar, such as Malini Beel, Maheesha Beel, Rangirkhaal and Singerkhal present a vibrant ecosystem serving as natural reservoirs and protecting these wetlands would significantly help in managing urban floods in the town.

Acknowledging the efficacy of wetlands as natural drainage basins, the Chief Minister remarked that when wetlands are lost, the situation goes ...