In a significant development, Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh reviewed the action taken by the Government to counteract the erosion of the Majuli Island in the Brahamaputra River, directing that the Action Plan be implemented on highest priority. The meeting one of the first such comprehensive exercise saw the Prime Minister stressing on the importance of Majuli Island as a site of great emotional and cultural significance to Assam given the presence of the Vaishnavite Satras.

The meeting was attended by the Ministers of Water Resources, Prof Saifuddin Soz and Culture Ambika Soni besides Secretaries of Water Resources and DONER, chairman, Brahamaputra Board and Director General, ASI. The meeting also assumes significance because Majuli Island’s case is due to be referred for World Heritage status next year.

The Prime Minister, meanwhile said the problem of erosion must tackled on a on a war-footing and the Government should mobilize the best technical competence available to address this task.

He also directed that, in addition to technical professionals, civil society professionals should also be enlisted for the preservation of the Majuli Island.

The Prime Minister also called for an update on the work done on this matter may be sent to the PMO every three months.

A Presentation was made on the gradual but steady erosion of the Majuli Island in the Brahamaputra on account of high silt and sand content making it very erodible and the steps being taken to tackle the problem.

The steps included the acceptance of a detailed project plan of Rs. 86.50 crore to be executed in three phases. Of these, Phase-1 of Rs.41.28 crore is now under implementation and is expected to be complete by March 2008. Phase-2 and 3 would be taken up and completed by year 2009.

The Prime Minister was informed that the measures taken up under Phase-1 has had some positive- impact on reducing further erosion, saving of crops and improvement of communications.

The Ministry of Culture requested for accelerated action given the fact that Majuli Island is being sponsored by the Government of India as a site to be declared as world heritage

Meanwhile after his visit to Majuli, Union Minister for Water Resources Prof Saifuddin Soz assured that the river islanders that he would leave no stone unturned to save Majuli from erosion. He said that the Brahmaputra Board had been reconstituted and would function for three years. He further said that there would be four regional offices of the Board in Guwahati, Itanagar, Aizawl and Shillong.

Referring to the issue of permanent protection of Majuli from erosion, the Minister said that a long-term comprehensive project would be undertaken for this purpose. In this respect he opined that no foreign expertise is necessary for controlling the Brahmaputra as it is abundant in our country. He further assured more fund for this purpose.

Earlier, the Minister and his team were felicitated by different organisations of Majuli. A memorandum was submitted to the Minister seeking permanent protection of  Majuli from erosion by the Majuli Aikya Mancha led by the Satradhikars and several organisations of the river island.

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