Jorhat, Feb. 8: The World Heritage Site tag may have remained elusive for Majuli, but the world's largest-inhabited river island could still become a world-class religious and cultural tourist site.
Union minister for water resources, river development and Ganga rejuvenation Uma Bharti, who visited the island today, said the Centre would extend all possible assistance to develop the seat of Vaishnavite culture as a religious-cultural tourist destination.
Bharti had arrived on the island yesterday from Dhakuakhana (Lakhimpur district) and is scheduled to leave for Arunachal Pradesh tomorrow morning.
The Union minister went to Uttar Kamalabari and Garmur xatras - both being among the largest and oldest xatras of Majuli - and toured areas severely affected by erosion and floods. She also held discussions with the local residents of Majuli and officials of the administration and the Brahmaputra Board.
Several memoranda were submitted to the Union minister by many organisations seeking protection for Majuli from constant erosion and floods. She was also requested the ministries concerned to take steps to enable the island's inclusion in the World Heritage Site list.
Majuli sub-divisional officer (civil) Manvendra Pratap Singh told The Telegraph this evening that the minister was very moved by the island's beauty and the unique cultural heritage being preserved in the island by the Vaishnavite xatras set up by 15th century saint, philosopher and social reformer Srimanta Xankardev.
Singh said Bharati told him that she had earlier heard a lot about Majuli and was impressed to see the different forms of art and culture being kept alive there by the xatras and the people. The SDO said being struck by aura of Majuli, Bharti compared it with Dwarka (Gujarat) - the holy kingdom of Lord Krishna - as both were islands.
According to Hindu mythology, Krishna had made a stopover in Majuli during his return after marrying Rukmini from the present-day Assam-Arunachal Pradesh border.
The SDO said the minister, while interacting with the people, assured them that she would take up Majuli's case with the Union ministries concerned to develop the island as a religious and cultural world-class tourist site on the lines of Hardwar, Kedarnath and Varanasi.
On the cultural side, Majuli is also a treasure trove, as apart from the Vaishnavite culture, several ethnic communities residing in the island also have interesting cultural practices, Singh said.
The minister assured them that she would take up with the tourism and cultural ministries the need to prepare proposals to develop the required infrastructure in Majuli to woo tourists.
Singh said Majuli had a rich collection of flora and fauna that draws a large number of migratory birds.
It could also be a major attraction for eco-tourism.
She said the Centre would do whatever possible to get Majuli included in the World Heritage List, the SDO said.
He said Bharti told the officials of the Brahmaputra Board and state water resources department to holistically prepare a comprehensive plan to tackle erosion in the region instead of taking up individual projects in some areas.
Singh said Bharati spoke over phone to Union agriculture minister Radha Mohan Singh to request him to sanction setting up of a Krishi Vigyan Kendra in Majuli, to which the latter has reportedly agreed.
