Guwahati, Aug 15: A study commissioned under the North Eastern Development Finance Corporation Ltd (NEDFi)’s Techno Economic Development Fund (TEDF) has highlighted the growing threat of microplastic pollution along the shorelines of the Brahmaputra and recommended field-based remediation measures to address the problem. The report, titled ‘Survey and Studies on Remediation of Microplastic on Shorelines of Brahmaputra River’, was released during OCTAVATE 2026, North East’s premier technology conclave, organised by the NEST Cluster of IIT Guwahati from August 10 to 12 at the IIT Guwahati campus. The ceremonial release was attended by North Eastern Council Secretary Satinder Kumar Bhalla, Ministry of DoNER Director Vijay Kumar Goel, NEST Cluster Chairman and IIT Guwahati Director Prof Devendra Jalihal, senior NEDFi officials, representatives of NITs, foreign delegates, IIT faculty members, students and other stakeholders. This was stated in a press release. The study, led by Prof Vimal Katiyar and his team at IIT Guwahati, examines the extent of microplastic contamination along the Brahmaputra and evaluates practical approaches for its remediation. The researchers noted that microplastic pollution has emerged as a major environmental challenge threatening freshwater ecosystems globally. The Brahmaputra, which sustains livelihoods, biodiversity and regional development across the Northeast, is increasingly facing shoreline contamination from fragmented plastics such as polyethylene, polypropylene and polyvinyl chloride. Urban runoff, industrial effluents and hydrological processes are among the factors contributing to the problem. For the study, extensive field sampling was carried out at more than 20 strategically selected sites, including residential, rural, industrial, treatment plant and airport-influenced locations. Advanced techniques such as Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and microscopy were used to identify and characterise microplastics. The researchers also evaluated practical remediation measures, including floating barriers and biofilm-assisted degradation, for their potential application under field conditions. The study is aimed at strengthening environmental resilience, protecting biodiversity in the Brahmaputra ecosystem and supporting a plastic-resilient future for the Northeast. The efforts of NEDFi in commissioning the field-based study and developing policy recommendations and strategies through its TEDF were appreciated by the dignitaries and stakeholders at the event.