Urgent Action Needed to Combat Erosion Threatening Lower Majuli
Erosion Crisis in Lower Majuli
Several villages under the Kortipar Gaon Panchayat now live in constant fear as land continues to vanish.
Jorhat, Apr 30: A significant portion of Lower Majuli is at risk of being engulfed by the Brahmaputra River, prompting residents to call for immediate and scientific interventions to halt the ongoing erosion.
Approximately 20 to 25 villages, including Baghgaon, Samguri, Missamara, and Dhuli, are perilously close to the river's edge as it continues to encroach upon their land.
Villagers in the Kortipar Gaon Panchayat are living in constant anxiety as their land disappears. Many families have already lost their homes and livelihoods, leaving them in a state of uncertainty. They are no longer satisfied with temporary relief measures and are demanding a comprehensive solution to safeguard their remaining land.
The erosion issue has been ongoing since 1973, significantly altering the landscape of Majuli. Areas like Ahotguri mouza have been completely erased, and Kamalabari mouza is now facing a similar fate.
According to a local resident, "Erosion has been worsening since 1973. Our Ahotguri mouza has vanished entirely, and now Kamalabari is nearly half gone." Many families have had to relocate multiple times due to the relentless erosion, struggling to find land to rebuild their homes.
Despite occasional visits from officials, residents express frustration over the lack of consistent and scientific measures to address their plight. A local youth remarked that while the previous government undertook some development projects in Majuli, the critical issue of erosion remains unaddressed.
“Financial aid of Rs 1,000 or Rs 1,250 is meaningless if we lose our land and homes. The priority should be to protect our land,” he emphasized.
Residents have also appealed to Water Resources Minister Pijush Hazarika to visit Majuli and evaluate the nearly 7-km stretch severely affected by erosion.
“As night approaches, fear envelops us. The rising water levels and erosion have robbed us of our peace,” shared a woman residing near the affected area.
Mothers, who spend sleepless nights worrying for their children, are now urgently requesting government action before their homes are completely washed away.
The situation in Samguri is not an isolated incident but rather a reflection of the dire circumstances faced throughout Lower Majuli. The distress of the residents, the pleas of mothers, and the fear of losing their heritage weigh heavily on the island.