Legislative support to save Majuli campaign

Guwahati, Jul 14(UNI) Asom assembly has passed a bill to facilitate legislative protection to world's largest river island, Majuli, that is considered hub of the state's Vaishnavite culture and heritage.

The bill called 'The Majuli Cultural Landscape Region Bill, 2006' embodies provisions for preservation and conservation of the unique cultural landscape of Majuli island located in the bosom of the mighty Brahmaputra.

The passage of the much awaited bill by the state assembly paves the way for legislative support to the protection of the river island against natural disasters, constitutional back up for development of local communities through resource management.

There will be a Majuli Cultural Landscape Management Authority to look after sustainable development and protection of the island's uniqueness in respect of cultural heritage and natural resources.

The authority will be headed by the state chief secretary as its chairman.

The Commissioner and Secretary of the state's Cultural department will be the Vice-chairman, while commissioner of Upper Assam Division or any other officer of equivalent rank as the chief executive officer. The Sub-divisional Officer (SDO) of Majuli will be the executive officer.

The authority will have five other members nominated by the executive group from within itself. The members of the executive group include the local Lok Sabha MP, a Rajya Sabha MP nominated by the state government, local MLA from Majuli, three deputy commissioners of Jorhat, Dhemaji and Lakhimpur districts, Director of State Museum, Director of State Cultural Affairs, Superintending Archaelogist of Archaeological Survey of India, Guwahati Circle, representative of the NGO called Majuli Island Protection and Development Committee(MIPADC) among others.

The management authority is empowered to resist or mitigate any development pressure that may pose threat to values attached to the river island which is waiting its turn to be included in the UNESCO World Heritage Sites list.

UNI XC BA KLC1416