Majuli Island

The geographical region of Majuli is North-East of India, which has seven states -

•  Arunachal Pradesh, 

• Assam, 

• Mizoram,

•  Manipur,

•  Tripura, 

• Meghalya    are a part of the greater sub Himalyan Region.

•  The island situates itself is in the state of Assam, mid¬stream of the Great male river Brahmaputra river, which is also one of the largest rivers in the world. 

• The Majuli Island is a fluvial landform (a riverine delta), a unique geographical occurrence and a result of the dynamics of this vast river system.

• Majuli is purely a region of fluvial geomorphology. It rises from the Brahmaputra basin and in course of time turned into a flat-level alluvial plain. 

• The island is bounded by the river Subanisri and her tributaries Ranganadi, Dikrong, Dubla,Chici and Tuni etc. on the North west, the kherkatia Suli 

• North and the South banks of the river Brahmaputra have the wetland a characteristic feature of the hydrology of the system. These are locally known as the Beefs. They are the abodes of rich flora and fauna unique to this region, unique for the breeding ground

• To save the island, the Union Government of India has sanctioned   250 crores (US $ 55 million) for the protection of the island. 

• The water resource department & The Brahmaputra Board are struggling to solve the erosion problem of this island for the last three decade but without much success . 

• Recently it is suggested that a four lane Highway protected by concrete mat along the southern boundary of Majuli & excavation of river bed of the Brahmaputra River , only can solve the problem .

• This Project, namely The Brahmaputra River Restoration Project is yet to be approved by the Government. 

• The dwellers of Mājuli are mostly tribal folk. These tribal are the Mising tribes from Arunachal Pradesh and who immigrated here centuries ago

•  Apart from them, the inhabitants are also from the Deori and Sonowal Kacharis tribes. Languages spoken here are Mising, Assamese, Deori.

• However a petition has been sent to the UNESCO for the declaration of Mājuli to be a world natural heritage site and furthermore make it a world cultural heritage site.

     Properties inscribed on the World Heritage List (29)

      Cultural

·         Agra Fort (1983)

·         Ajanta Caves (1983)

·         Buddhist Monuments at Sanchi (1989)

·         Champaner-Pavagadh Archaeological Park (2004)

·         Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus (formerly Victoria Terminus) (2004)

·         Churches and Convents of Goa (1986)

·         Elephanta Caves (1987)

·         Ellora Caves (1983)

·         Fatehpur Sikri (1986)

·         Great Living Chola Temples (1987)

·         Group of Monuments at Hampi (1986)

·         Group of Monuments at Mahabalipuram (1984)

·         Group of Monuments at Pattadakal (1987)

·         Humayun's Tomb, Delhi (1993)

·         Khajuraho Group of Monuments (1986)

·         Mahabodhi Temple Complex at Bodh Gaya (2002)

·         Mountain Railways of India (1999)

·         Qutb Minar and its Monuments, Delhi (1993)

·         Red Fort Complex (2007)

·         Rock Shelters of Bhimbetka (2003)

·         Sun Temple, Konârak (1984)

·         Taj Mahal (1983)

·         The Jantar Mantar, Jaipur (2010)

     Natural

·         Kaziranga National Park (1985)

·         Keoladeo National Park (1985)

·         Manas Wildlife Sanctuary (1985)

·         Nanda Devi and Valley of Flowers National Parks (1988)

·         Sundarbans National Park (1987)

·         Western Ghats (2012)