Meriana, a tourist from England, cycles around Majuli. Telegraph picture

Jorhat, Nov. 13: It’s cheap. It’s eco-friendly. It does not give you parking trouble. And it’s the latest rage among foreign tourists touring Majuli.

The humble bicycle is the “in” thing on the riverine island, with tourists pedalling their way across the isle to various xatras.

Guesthouses and tourists lodges on the island are making it a point to provide the most environment-friendly mode of transport to the visitors during their stay.

“Bicycles are the best mode of transport in Majuli and foreign tourists are hiring bicycles to move around the island. We are also promoting the use of bicycles among tourists to keep the island pollution free,” the sub-divisional officer (civil) of Majuli, Krishna Baruah, said.

She said the tourist information centre, which was inaugurated at Kamalabari a few days back, was keeping at least 20 bicycles for tourists.

“Bicycles can be hired by tourists for Rs 40 per day. All our bicycles are booked at present. We are thinking of buying more,” Mithu Khatonia, a tourist guide at Majuli, told The Telegraph today.

Khatonia said when Sanjoy Ghose’s NGO, the Association of Voluntary Agencies for Rural Development, was at work, bicycles were hired by the NGO members as the mode of transport.

“There were few vehicles in Majuli during those days and AVARD-NE members used to hire bicycles to travel to various parts of the island. The process of renting of bicycles to tourists in Majuli started since then,” he said.

Majuli has recorded the highest number of foreign tourists this year, with more than 600 foreigners currently visiting the island.

“Earlier, most of the foreign tourists were from France but this year, there are tourists from several other countries ,” Khatoniar said.

Gini Novi, a 26-year-old student from Israel, said to get a real feel of Majuli, bicycles were the best mode of transport.

“Apart from several xatras I have travelled to several villages. People are so simple and friendly here. I have been cycling here all alone for the last few days and have discovered the best of Majuli,” Gini said.

Helen Nugant, a tourist from Australia, said the presence of fewer vehicles on the island is probably the main reason why the island is so pollution free.

“There should be restrictions on plying of vehicles on Majuli roads if one has to keep the island beautiful and pollution free,” she said.

The sub-divisional officer said the island administration has been promoting the use of bicycle among tourists to travel in various xatras since they are easy to park and helps keep the island dust free.

“Use of bicycles is not only eco-friendly but it also helps to keep the roads dust free. Majuli becomes dusty during this season and motorcycles and cars make the roads dustier,” she said.