Guwahati: World’s largest human habituated river island, Majuli, which was listed in the tentative list of the Unesco World Heritage Site two decades back, stares at uncertainty.
Majuli was shortlisted in the World Heritage Site (WHS) ‘Tentative List’ at the World Heritage Committee session at Suzhou in China. Subsequently, a comprehensive nomination dossier was submitted in 2006, followed by additional information in 2008.
Another dossier was prepared by the end of 2011 and was submitted to the Unesco in February 2012.However, the dossier was returned from the World Heritage Center in March 2012 as it was not filed as per the latest Operational Guidelines of 2011. It was thereafter decided that the revised nomination would be prepared by Assam govt. State govt was accordingly requested to do the same.
The nomination dossier was again sent to Unesco in 2014 and 2017, but did not receive the tag. A senior official of the Directorate of Cultural Affairs said the process of preparing the dossier and sending it to Unesco for the world heritage site tag is underway. The official added that all efforts are being put to make it possible.
The river island situated in Jorhat district of northern Assam is about 80 km wide and about 10-15 km long, with a total area of 875 sqkm in the midstream of the delta system.
A mixed community of various ethno-cultural groups, the Majulians migrated to the island over centuries, bringing along their traditions and skills. These communities are united by the social institution of Sattra, introduced by the Vaishnava saint Sankardeva in the 16th century.
The island faces a greater threat from flood and erosion by the Brahmaputra than from external and modern influences. Moreover, the ecosystem and age-old cultural and social system are under pressure, following the displacement of the local people and an increase in the population.
Unesco World Heritage Site tag to the ‘moidams’ in Charaideo on Friday has once again raised questions about the the tag for the river island. People of Majuli urged state govt to take steps so that Majuli, the epicentre of the Vaishnavite culture, gets the tag.
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