Majuli Island faces erosion

The Shrinking Island, could be the new tag waiting for Majuli, one of the largest river islands in the world, on the Brahmaputra, in the coming days.

The wrath of the Brahmaputra has led to unabated erosion.

The threat of extinction looms large on Majuli, nominated this year for UNESCO's World Heritage Site status.

The island, with area of about 1,255 sq km in 1901, was now only 377 sq km after survey done in 2001 revealed shocking details.

It was done by the department of Applied Geology of Dibrugarh University.

After initial indifference, the state government under Tarun Gogoi, chief minister, rushed to Majuli on September 4 after a major chunk of the island was washed away, rendering 100 homeless.

The chief minister announced a Rs 100 crore package for the development of the river island.

The funds would be used for construction of embankments, dykes, rehabilitation of the displaced and development of the island.

The state's water resource department and the Brahmaputra Board would work together to control flood and erosion in the island.

With the annual rate of erosion rising, 89 revenue villages have been swallowed by the river.

Last month, 280 families were rendered homeless, taking the total number of displaced families this year to nearly 1000.

With the river moving closer, the main township, Kamalabari, too is facing the threat of erosion.

Majuli houses some of the oldest 'satras' or 'vashnavite' monasteries and is a cultural seat of Assam.

The 'satraadhikaries', or heads of the 'satras', have been sending messages to the state government for many years to save the island and come to their rescue.

In addition to this package, another Rs 3.83 crore was released last month for the development of Majuli as a heritage and eco-tourism destination.