Majuli :
     
Majuli is the biggest river island not just geographically but also culturally. It is a civil sub-division of Jorhat District, located 20 km. off Jorhat town Assam. Majuli is a pollution free fresh water island. Total area of the island was 1250 sq.km., now it is about 650 sq.km.

 PROBLEM OF EROSION and FLOOD INNUNDATION

This island is facing imminent extinction from two most serious problems

·     Gradual Loss of land area due to severe bank erosion.

·      Flood inundation

Reducing Land Mass

Majuli Island prior to 1950 earthquake had a surface area of approximately 1250 sq.km. However, after the great earthquake, erosion of the river Brahmaputra in this reach became active and a part of the southeast and southwest side of the island was washed away by the river. This has posed an increasing threat to the island and the rich natural and cultural heritage it represents. This has affected the bio-diversity of the island, flora and fauna, socio cultural fabric and the demographic pattern of the population. One third of the Satras of the island had to be shifted to the north and south bank of the Brahmaputra.This naturally affected the cultural heritage of the island

It may clearly be mentioned that no such cultural heritage intermixed with the natural heritage of the place is ever found anywhere in the world as to the comparison with Majuli’s heritage.

The fear of extinction is looming large in the minds of the people of Majuli. Thanks to the recent spate of flood and erosion. The danger caused by erosion of successive bunds in Majuli have made the mighty Brahmaputra to make violent inroads into the river island causing untold measuring to the inhabitant of this great River Island