Island paradise almost lost
Majuli is one of the largest river islands in the world and is rich in culture. But the paradise is at risk of being washed away.
Paradise island in peril
Majuli is one of the largest river islands in the world, situated in the northeast Indian state of Assam. But this unique island could be soon lost as the river has been slowly but steadily been scouring away at its edges.
Cultural hotpot
The island is home to 170,000 people and also it is dotted with monasteries belonging to the neo-Vaishnavite culture, a monotheistic offshoot of Hinduism.
Shrinking land
Situated in the middle of the Brahmaputra River, the island has slowly been losing land because of erosion. The island was once 1,250 square kilometers but over time, it has shrunk to one-third of its original size.
Forced to relocate
Once upon a time there were 65 monasteries. Because of erosion, 28 of them have been forced to relocate elsewhere on the mainland.
A doomed fate
Majuli's fate changed after the earthquake of 1950, which measured 8.9 on the Richter scale. Locals say since that day, the island's fate has been doomed. The river changed its course and every since it has been eroding land on all sides.
Yearly floods
Most people here work in paddy fields, fish and produce handicrafts. But each monsoon, the island gets flooded which leads to loss of life and property and forces many inhabitants to move away from the island.
Government inaction
Locals are angry with the government that it fails to build embankments that could provide relief to the islanders. It has been slow in offering rehabilitation and compensation for those who have lost their homes.
Environmental loss
Environmental experts say erosion is a natural process but environmental degradation is also responsible. Large-scale erosion has loosened the topsoil, which leads to greater loss of land.