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MAJULI’S CRY FOR SURVIVAL
Md. Sabir Nishat highlighted the campaign to get UNESCO to declare Majuli as a World heritage Site in an article in 'The Assam Tribune'. Spearheading the campaign is Dr.Arun Kumar Sarma, a Lok Sabha M.P from the state, who was also the Chairman of the Majuli Island Protection and Development Council (MIPADC), an NGO working for protecting the island from the fury of Brahmaputra. Bharat Saikia, General Secretary of the NGO has also been contributing tirelessly for this great cause and helped in preparing the Nomination Dossier.
The MIPADC, which has been campaigning for Majuli's recognition as a World Heritage Site since 1995, has already prepared a document of 100 pages, which includes 69 photographs and two satellite images highlighting the rich natural and cultural heritage of the river island.
Meanwhile, Bruce E. Jefferies, a Protected Area Management (PAM) specialist and a member of the World Protected Areas Commission of the IUCN visited the island to study the prevailing situation in connection with the proposed nomination of the island as a World Heritage Site. In his report to the UNESCO and the World Heritage Committee, Jefferies observed that the history of the cultural and religious aspect of Majuli is significant, as some of the most important monasteries of Sankardev's faith (called Sattras) built sometime in the 15th century, still exist.
The Sattras house valuable manuscripts and living embodiments of Vaishnav culture which appear to be very well preserved in the form of dance, song, chants, and music (Bhaona, Ankiya, Palnam, Raas-leela, etc.).
Jefferies suggested UNESCO to consider asking the IUCN to conduct a feasibility assessment aimed at integrating the World Heritage nomination with the establishment of protected area management principles and objectives - as provided by the IUCN Category 5 Protected Landscapes.
The Satradhikars/Head of Monasteries have also been putting forward their united efforts year after year to save the island from being gobbled up by the mighty Brahmaputra. It will be worth mentioning that Pitambar Dev Goswami who was the Abbot of Sattra - Garamur played a very active role in the Freedom Movement of India in the year 1921. Inspite of all the responsibilities of the Sattra which he had to shoulder, he jumped into the freedom struggle to free India from British Imperialism and was put behind the bars too. He was also the executive member of the state level Hindi Prachar Samiti.
Accepting the invitation of Majuli Surakhsa Samiti, an NGO and the Rotary Club, the engineer scientist - E.F Muller from South Africa visited Majuli from April 3, 1996 to April 28,1996 to study the problem of flood and erosion of Majuli.
He commented - ' The erosion of Majuli Island is of great concern not only to the inhabitants of the island but also to all who care for the preservation of the culture and historical heritage of the Assamese people'.
The Assam Govt. is now launching a relentless campaign to get the UNESCO declare Majuli as a World Heritage Site and to save the island from ecological disaster and extinction. Master Plan submitted by Brahmaputra Board
The MIPADC, which has been campaigning for Majuli's recognition as a World Heritage Site since 1995, has already prepared a document of 100 pages, which includes 69 photographs and two satellite images highlighting the rich natural and cultural heritage of the river island.
Meanwhile, Bruce E. Jefferies, a Protected Area Management (PAM) specialist and a member of the World Protected Areas Commission of the IUCN visited the island to study the prevailing situation in connection with the proposed nomination of the island as a World Heritage Site. In his report to the UNESCO and the World Heritage Committee, Jefferies observed that the history of the cultural and religious aspect of Majuli is significant, as some of the most important monasteries of Sankardev's faith (called Sattras) built sometime in the 15th century, still exist.
The Sattras house valuable manuscripts and living embodiments of Vaishnav culture which appear to be very well preserved in the form of dance, song, chants, and music (Bhaona, Ankiya, Palnam, Raas-leela, etc.).
Jefferies suggested UNESCO to consider asking the IUCN to conduct a feasibility assessment aimed at integrating the World Heritage nomination with the establishment of protected area management principles and objectives - as provided by the IUCN Category 5 Protected Landscapes.
The Satradhikars/Head of Monasteries have also been putting forward their united efforts year after year to save the island from being gobbled up by the mighty Brahmaputra. It will be worth mentioning that Pitambar Dev Goswami who was the Abbot of Sattra - Garamur played a very active role in the Freedom Movement of India in the year 1921. Inspite of all the responsibilities of the Sattra which he had to shoulder, he jumped into the freedom struggle to free India from British Imperialism and was put behind the bars too. He was also the executive member of the state level Hindi Prachar Samiti.
Accepting the invitation of Majuli Surakhsa Samiti, an NGO and the Rotary Club, the engineer scientist - E.F Muller from South Africa visited Majuli from April 3, 1996 to April 28,1996 to study the problem of flood and erosion of Majuli.
He commented - ' The erosion of Majuli Island is of great concern not only to the inhabitants of the island but also to all who care for the preservation of the culture and historical heritage of the Assamese people'.
The Assam Govt. is now launching a relentless campaign to get the UNESCO declare Majuli as a World Heritage Site and to save the island from ecological disaster and extinction. Master Plan submitted by Brahmaputra Board
