Majuli Island: The World’s Largest River Island – Key Insights

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An Insightful Overview of Majuli Island

  • Majuli, also spelled Mazuli, is a large river island in Assam, India.
  • The island is shaped by three rivers:
    • The Brahmaputra River to the south and east,
    • The Subansiri River to the west,
    • An anabranch of the Brahmaputra River.
  • Majuli is home to the Mising, Deori, and Sonowal Kachari tribes.
  • It is an important center for Assamese neo-Vaishnavite culture.
  • The island can be reached by ferry from Jorhat, which is about 250 kilometers northeast of Guwahati.
  • In 2016, Majuli became the first island in India to be declared a district.
  • Since 2004, it has been included in the UNESCO Tentative List for potential World Heritage Site recognition.
  • Majuli, the largest river island in the world, has been honored with two important Geographical Indication (GI) tags from the Indian government. These tags recognize Majuli’s unique traditional crafts:
    • Mjauli Mask
    • Majuli Manuscript Painting.

Global Recognition as the Largest River Island

  • Majuli holds the title of the world’s largest inland river island, as recognized by the Guinness World Records.
  • However, the Encyclopædia Britannica identifies Bananal Island in Brazil as the world’s largest river island.
  • The debate arises due to the unique formation of Bananal Island:
    • The Araguaia River either splits into two separate channels that rejoin later, or it flows as a single river with the island forming in its middle.
  • Despite the disagreement, Majuli remains one of the most significant and largest river islands globally.

Previous Year’s Questions on Majuli Island

Q: The river island Majuli which became “India’s first and only island district” is located in ______. [NTPC CBT 2 2016]
A. Karnataka
B. Jammu and Kashmir
C. Himachal Pradesh
D. Assam

Q: Which is the largest river island in the world? [ SSC CHSL 2020]
A. Majuli Island
B. Srirangam Island
C. Agatti Island
D. Bhavani Island

—— To learn more about Majuli, continue reading. —–

History of Majuli

  • Geographical Formation: Majuli is a long, slender island situated between two parallel rivers:
    • Brahmaputra to the north,
    • Burhidihing to the south.
  • Between 1661 and 1696, a series of earthquakes in the 17th century set the stage for a massive flood in 1750, which reshaped the region.
    • The flood caused the Brahmaputra River to change its course, leading to the formation of Majuli Island.
  • Ahom King Pratap Singha built a rampart called Meragarh on Majuli in the early 17th century.
  • Lakshmi Singha, an Ahom king who reigned from 1769 to 1780, wrote a grant in 1776, mentioning Majuli Pradesh and its Kamalabari Satra, Agnichapori, Gajala Satra, and the Tuni River.
  • During the Moamaria rebellion, the island was controlled by Howha, a Moamaria rebel leader.
  • The Burhi Dihing River shifted east by 190 km, leading to the creation of two new channels:
    • The Burhi Xuti (southern channel),
    • The Luit Xuti (northern channel), which later diminished into Kerkota Xuti, while the Burhi Xuti expanded to become the main Brahmaputra River.
  • Cultural Significance: Majuli became a cultural hub for Assamese civilization in the 16th century, especially after the visit of Srimanta Sankardeva, a social reformer and pioneer of the neo-Vaishnavite movement.
    • He preached Vaishnavism and established satra (monasteries) on the island, making Majuli a major center for Vaishnavism.
  • British Rule: Majuli remained under British rule until India’s independence in 1947.
  • Shrinking Size: Over the last 200 years, Majuli has shrunk in size due to erosion.
    • In the 1790s, the island covered an area of 1,300 km² (500 sq mi).
    • By the early 20th century, its area reduced to 1,255 km² (485 sq mi).
    • By 2014, the island’s area had shrunk to 352 km² (136 sq mi).

Culture and demography

Population and Accessibility of Majuli

  • Population Composition:
    • The population of Majuli consists of a mix of scheduled tribes and castes, as well as non-tribal caste Hindu Assamese.
    • Indigenous communities on the island include:
      • Mising (majority community),
      • Deori,
      • Kaibarta,
      • Sonowal Kachari, who migrated from Arunachal Pradesh centuries ago.
    • Non-tribal caste Hindu Assamese communities include:
      • Koch,
      • Kalita,
      • Ahom,
      • Sutiya,
      • Jogi.
  • Languages Spoken:
    • The main languages spoken on the island are Mising, Assamese, and Deori.
  • Villages and Population Density:
    • Majuli has 144 villages with a total population of over 150,000 people.
    • The population density is approximately 300 individuals per square kilometer.
  • Transportation:
    • A ferry service connects Majuli to Jorhat, operating six times daily.
    • Night buses run from Guwahati to Majuli via Lakhimpur.
  • Modernization:
    • Despite various challenges, modernization has reached Majuli.
    • The island now has medical centers and schools.
    • Housing has shifted from traditional bamboo and mud structures to more concrete buildings.

Festivals and Cultural Traditions of Majuli

  • Ali Aye Ligang Festival:
    • Celebration: Held in mid-February for five days, starting on the second Wednesday and ending on the first Wednesday of the Falgun month.
    • Food: Traditional dishes like purang apin (packed boiled rice), apong (rice beer), and various pork, fish, and chicken dishes are served.
    • Dance: The Gumrag Soman, a traditional Mising dance, is performed in every village to worship Donyi Polo (Mother Sun and Father Moon) for a good harvest.
  • Christmas Celebration:
    • In Upper Majuli, the majority of Christians from the Mising tribe celebrate Christmas, especially in the village of Jengraimukh.
  • Cultural Significance:
    • Majuli has been the cultural center and cradle of Assamese civilization for the last 500 years.
    • The satra (monasteries) preserve ancient artifacts such as weapons, utensils, jewelry, and other culturally significant items.
  • Traditional Craftsmanship:
    • Pottery is crafted using clay and fired in driftwood kilns, following methods from the ancient Harappan Civilization.
    • Despite modern pressures, these ancient cultural practices and dance forms remain largely intact.
    • The handloom work of these tribes is internationally acclaimed.
  • Raas Mahotsav Festival:
    • A three-day festival that portrays Krishna’s life and involves almost everyone on the island.
    • People from distant places, including expatriates, come to celebrate.
    • The satra have mastered various art and craft traditions, including:
      • Mask-making (Natun Samuguri Satra).
      • Boat crafting (Kamalabari Satra).

Majuli Wetland and Environmental Challenges

  • Habitat for Migratory Birds:
    • Majuli is home to various rare and endangered bird species, especially migratory birds that visit during winter.
    • Notable species include the greater adjutant stork, pelican, Siberian crane, and whistling teal.
    • After dark, wild geese and ducks migrate to distant places.
  • Pollution-Free Environment:
    • The island remains relatively pollution-free because it lacks industrial activity and receives regular rainfall.
  • Threat from Soil Erosion:
    • Majuli faces significant soil erosion along its banks due to the powerful Brahmaputra River.
    • Embankments built upstream to prevent erosion have caused unintended consequences, making the river’s current even stronger.
    • Since 1991, over 35 villages have been washed away, and surveys predict Majuli could disappear within the next 15 to 20 years.
  • Government Efforts for Protection:
    • The Indian Government has sanctioned ₹ 2.50 billion (US$55 million) for Majuli’s protection.
    • Water Resources Department and the Brahmaputra Board have been working for over 30 years to combat erosion with little success.
    • New ideas, like constructing a four-lane highway and excavating the riverbed, have been suggested to help reduce erosion.
    • The Brahmaputra River Restoration Project is still awaiting implementation, and Majuli has been nominated as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.
  • Jadav Payeng’s Contribution:
    • Jadav Payeng, an environmental activist, planted a 550-hectare forest known as Molai Forest to combat erosion.
    • The island’s barren sandbars have turned into a lush forest, becoming a habitat for animals like elephants, tigers, deer, and vultures.

Main Industries and Economic Activities

Agriculture

  • Agriculture is the main industry, with paddy rice being the primary crop grown.
  • Majuli boasts a rich agricultural tradition, with around 100 varieties of rice cultivated.
  • Some of the unique rice varieties include:
    • Komal Saul: A special rice that can be eaten after soaking for 15 minutes in warm water, commonly consumed as a breakfast cereal.
    • Bao Dhan: Grows underwater and is harvested after 10 months.
    • Bora Saul: A sticky brown rice used to make a traditional cake with fish, called pitha.

Fishing

  • Fishing is the second most important industry on the island, following agriculture.

Handloom Weaving

  • Handloom weaving is a significant occupation for the women in Majuli’s villages.
  • This activity, although largely non-commercial, provides meaningful employment for many locals.
  • The weaving is known for its exquisite and intricate designs, using various colors and textures of cotton and silk, particularly Muga silk, which is unique to Assam.
  • Development Initiatives:
    • On 4 November 2017, Assam’s Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal launched 647 schemes to boost the development of Majuli.
    • These schemes had a total financial investment of ₹246 million to improve the island’s infrastructure and promote growth.

Other Economic Activities

  • Dairying: Raising livestock for milk and other dairy products.
  • Pottery: Traditional pottery crafted by local artisans.
  • Handloom: The island is known for its handloom weaving, producing textiles like Mising shawls and Assamese sarees.
  • Boat-making: Majuli has a long tradition of boat-making, with skilled craftsmen creating boats for transportation and other purposes.

FAQs

Q1: Majuli Island is located in which river?

A1: Majuli Island is located in the Brahmaputra River in Assam, India.

Q2: Majuli Island is located in which state?

A2: Majuli Island is located in the state of Assam, India.

Q3: When was Majuli declared as a district?

A3: Majuli was declared as a district in 2016.

Q4: Is Majuli a UNESCO World Heritage site?

A4: Majuli Island is on the UNESCO Tentative List for nomination as a World Heritage Site, but it has not yet been officially declared one.

Q5: Which is the largest river island in India?

A5: Majuli is the largest river island in India and is also recognized by the Guinness World Records.

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