Govt faces criticism over Majuli issue

Guwahati, Jul 16: The Unesco's refusal to declare Majuli, the world's largest riverine island, a World Heritage Site in this year's meet that held at Lithuania on July 13, has drawn flak for Asom government from various quarters.

The state government issued a clarification here yesterday after local media criticised its role in getting Unesco's recognition for Majuli. The government said the proposal was 'still alive' as the Unesco had asked for additional information on legal protection, flood and risk management on the site.

The All Assam Students Union, the Asom Unnati Sabha and the people of Majuli, besides various other organisations and individuals have expressed anguish separately after Unesco refusal to accord the island a heritage site. They blamed the government for failure to impress upon the world body.

They alleged the delay in passing the Majuli Landscape Region Bill and the government's lackadaisical attitude towards the conservation of the island had delayed the recognition process by at least one more year.

The government said the Unesco officials wanted a confirmation from the Central government regarding the protection of Majuli. The government had already included a chapter on natural disaster and preparedness (earthquake, flood, fires, etc) in the dossier submitted to the Unesco. This was verbally intimated by the Director General, ASI, and a detailed report regarding declaring Majuli a World Heritage Site was awaited, the statement said.

The government statement maintained that the 'delay in passing the Majuli Landscape Region Bill' (passed last week) had not 'halted the decision of the Unesco.

UNI