Majuli Island Protection and Development Council is a non-government organization promoted by the people of Majuli, who are concerned about the conservation and development of the Island. The primary objective of the organization is to build up mass awareness about the perilous future of this unique Island and its shrinking shoreline due to rapid erosion They are also trying their best to preserve the illustrious authenticity of its cultural and spiritual heritage by various means. The NGO has initiated a concerned effort involving various national and international agencies including the Government authorities to conserve the unique attributes of this largest fresh water inhabitant island, which is also famous as a rare bio-diversity hotspot.
MIPADC has also been the sole motivator and advocacy role player in preserving and bringing concern for the Island from various quarters as a fit case for UNESCO – World Heritage site due to its uniqueness in cultural and natural heritage.
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| Majuli River Map |
The Island has been formed with change of course of the river Brahmaputra as well as its tributaries from time to time. Some more references on the Majuli Island are found in the text of the "Third Division of Assam, Majuli or the Great Island" in the book, "An account of Assam" by Dr. John Peter Wade. 1972-93. "Majuli then was constituted with 13 (thirteen) Chaporis or small islands intersected by channels of communication by boat between the Dihing and Lohit, which in reality, it concerts into a cluster of islands and in addition to these, numerous smaller island range the whole length, formed by various branches of the principal streams. Some of these were always overflowed in the season of inundation, others occasionally only; all possess a stratum of rich soil above a deeper layer of sand or soft clay".
The geographical feature of Majuli was entirely different when it was visited by Shri Sankardeva, the founder of Vaishnava religion and culture, in 1510 AD "From mouth (Out fall of the river Subansiri upto Kherkotia Suti the river island which stretches along was "Majali" or "Majuli" in between the Lohitya (Lohit) and the Dihing river. At that time Lohitya (Lohit) was flowing parallel to the Dihing from kherkatia suti and fell into Mahuramukh. From Mahuramukh, the upper part of it was known as the Dihing. The rivers like the Dikhow, Desang, Disai and Dhansiri were tributaries of the Dihing.
According to Edward A, Gait, at that time (1622 A.D.) the Brahmaputra was flowing along the present channel of Lohit to the north by Majuli while Dihing was flowing along the present channel of Brahmaputra to the south of the island. After receiving Desang and Dikhow, Dihing had its confluence with the Brahmaputra at the western extremity of the island. At still earlier period, Dihing is believed to have flowed to the Brahmaputra further east than the Burhi-Dihing does now. At that time, according to native traditions, Dikhow had an independent course as far as Kajalimukh, part of which still survive in the Majuli as the Tuni river, and part in Nagaon, as the Kalang".
In 1671, the Dihing changed its course to have its confluence into the upper Lohit. According to Mr. Gait and Captain Billcock, a wild flood of great intensity mainly due to Dihing devasted the entire area in 1735 when the Brahmaputra after abandoning its course followed the abandoned course of Dihing.
According to the census of 1971, the geographical area of the island (including some Chars or Chapori area) was 924'60 Sq. Km; but area of the island with smaller island, as per record of Revenue, was 1246 Sq. km. The island is located to the north of the Jorhat Sub-Division and is now a Civil Sub-Division with Head Quarters at Garamur since 26th Jan-1978. At present, the island is bounded by the river Brahmaputra on the south, the river Subansiri (Lohit) on the North-West and Kherkotia on North-East; in the west it stretches to the confluence along the either sides of rivers, the Brahmaputra and the Subansiri.
Administration:
Majuli is administered as a Sub-division under Jorhat district consisting of 3 Mouzas (Revenue Blocks). This Civil Sub-Division is now comprised of two Development Blocks, namely Majuli Development Block and Uzani Majuli Development Block and three Tehsils (Mauza) Ahatguri, Kamalabari and Salmora. As per 1991 Census there is 244 of Villages out of which 210 Nos. Cadastral and 34 Nos. non-Cadastral, out of them 35 villages so far been eroded by the rivers.
Infrastructure:
* Banking - 3 branches of nationalized banks and - 4 branches of Co-operative Banks
* Health Care - 7 PHCs (2 with 130 beds), 2 Pvt. Nursing homes
* Electrification - Some villages are electrified.
* Communication - No Rail and Air Links Not touched directly by any national highways
* Most of the areas are connected with rural PCO
* Motorized ferry service is the only link to the outside world..
Educational Institutions:
* 500 Primary Schools
* 4 Basic degree colleges and 3 for + 2
* 3 Higher Secondary Schools
* 60 High Schools, 1 ITI, 1 Basic Training Centre.
How to Reach Majuli
Jorhat is well connected by air, with daily flights from Guwahati, and four flights a week from Calcutta. From Guwahati, Jorhat is a seven-hour bus ride. Buses leave early mornings and at nights.From Jorhat it is only fourteen kilometers to Neemati Ghat. There are at least two ferry rides to Majuli every day, one around 10 a.m., the other around 3 p.m. Exact times can be ascertained from the private bus stand at Jorhat, from where buses leave for Neemati.
Where to stay:
Majuli does not have a developed infrastructure for tourism. There are no hotels. Some satras have guestrooms. If you write in advance, they would certainly be available. The Satras that have such facilities and can deal with visitors easily are Natun Kamalabari, Uttar Kamalabari, Auniati, Bhogpur and Dakhinpat. The first two are walking distance from Kamalabari. The second two are slightly further afield (about six kilometers away), and Dakhinpath is at one end of the island. In case you wish to go to Dakhinpath, there is a ferry from Neemati direct to Dakhinpath as well. In addition to the Satra facilities, there are Inspection Bungalows at some points on the island (the one at Kamalabari is well located), and a Circuit House at Garamur, which is the sub-divisional headquarters. For the Inspection Bunglows and Circuit House, you could write to the Sub-Divisional Officer, Garamur, Majuli, Assam. What to see: There are twenty-one Satras on the island - several of them still very active in the tradition and training of dance, drama, music, art and craft. You can hire a boat and cruise down the river in the early morning, bird-watching; and also visit fields and homes to see the cultivation and weaving for yourself first hand.
When to visit: The best time to visit
Majuli is to coincide with the rasleela, at the time of the full moon in the month of Kartik (November); but Majuli can be visited all year around. During the rainy season much of the island is flooded, but ironically, it makes getting around (by boat) easier. What you can do to save Majuli : Petition your Member of Parliament to raise the issue and insist that Government resources be brought in to study the problem and then devise remedies for protection; Visit Majuli as a concerned tourist, and document the story of the island. Share it with your friends, and create an awareness of this unique piece of heritage; Invest in developing the potential for Eco-tourism on Majuli; and Wear fabrics spun and woven in Majuli - this will directly increase incomes on the island.
What to see:
There are twenty-one Satras on the island - several of them still very active in the tradition and training of dance, drama, music, art and craft. You can hire a boat and cruise down the river in the early morning, bird-watching; and also visit fields and homes to see the cultivation and weaving for yourself first hand of the tribes.
People even go for joy riding cycle and can best experience the secrets of Majuli the land of culture. When to visit:
The best time to visit Majuli is to coincide with the 'Rasleela', at the time of the full moon in the month of Kartik (November); but Majuli can be visited all year around. During the rainy season much of the island is flooded, but ironically, it makes getting around (by boat) easier.
Whom to contact:
- Directorate Assam Tourism, Guwahati: (0361)- 2542748 2547102 Dy Dir 2544475 (Tourist information officer)
- Assam Tourism Development Corporation, Guwahati: (0361)- 2454570, 2454421, 2457117, 2609182
- District Magistrate, Jorhat, (0376)- 2320020
- Sub Divisional Officer, Majuli, Garamur: (03775)- 274475
- MIPADC, Majuli Island Protection and Development Council G. S. Road, Sapta Swahid Path, Mathura Nagar, Guwahati-6
- Guwahati : +91-361- 2268061 (Bharat Saikia, Secy, MIPADC)
- +91-9435047990 –Diganta Gogoi, Project Director, MIPADC
- E-mail : mipadc1@rediffmail.com
- Majuli: +91-3775-274440 (Jiten Deka, Secy, MIPADC Majuli Unit
- Delhi: +91-11- 23792214
Majuli is near to Jorhat one of the major township in Upper Assam.
1. Jorhat is well connected by air, with flights via Guwahati and Kolkata from different metros of the country.
Airlines Airlines
- Indian Airlines
- Delhi -Kolkata – Jorhat
- Del- Kolkata 7.00 hours Dep.
- Kolkata- Jorhat Dep. at 11.15 Hours every Tuesday
- & 12.15 hours every Saturday
- Delhi-Kolkat- Jorhat
- Del- Kolkata 6.15 hours
- Kolkata- Jorhat 11.05 Hours
- Operates on Thursday & Sundays Sahara Airlines
- Delhi-Guwahati-Dibrugarh
- Every Day. Departure from Delhi at 10.15 hours.
- Air Deccan
- Delhi-Guwahati-Dibrugarh
- Every Day
- Air India
- Kolkata – Guwahati-Bangkok
- Flights temporarily suspended.
- Jet Airways
- Delhi-Guwahati
- Every Day. Departure from Delhi at ? hours.
(Mariani and Jorhat are connected by rail and road transport) ---- Km.
Indian Railways
Train No. & Name
From ------ To
- 2506- NE Express
- 5610- Avad Assam Express
- 2436- Rajdhani Express
- 2424- Rajdhani Express
- 4056- Brahmaputra Mail
- 2502- Poorvothar Sampark Kranti Exp.
To Guwahati
- 5657- Kanchanjunja Express
- 2345- Saraighat Express
- 5959- Kamrup Express
To Guwahati
- Inter City
- Kamrup Express
- Brahmaputra Mail
- Rajdhani Express
3. From Guwahati, Jorhat is a seven-hour bus ride. Buses leave early morning and at night. ASTC/Private Luxury Coach Night service buses are available to Jorhat under Travel agencies namely Green Valley, Assam Valley, Blue hills, Travel India and others.
Bus Service Bus From ----- to Day service Guwahati – Jorhat
- Via Kaziranga National Park
- Private- Luxury/Delux Coach
- ASTC- Luxury/Delux Coach
- Night service
- Guwahati – Jorhat
- Private- Luxury/Delux Coach
- ASTC- Luxury/Delux Coach
## Bus to Neemati ghat.
Both government and private buses ply between Jorhat and Neemati ghat.
Tourist can also self-drive or hire private taxi (like Tata Sumo, Qualis, Jeep from Jorhat town through travel agents). The taxi can cross over on the ferry or machine boat (charges apply and the best option to visit Majuli).
There are at least two ferry rides to Majuli every day, one around 10.30 a.m., the other around 2.30 p.m.
Most of the Ferries or Machine boats do not maintain a general schedule time. The boats are plying as per availability of the passengers.
(Exact times can be ascertained from the private bus stand at Jorhat).
During high stages of river Brahmaputra all ferry services are suspended till the water level recedes. Ferry service
- Ferry/Machine boat
- Neemati ghat – Kamalabari ghat
- 1.5 hour ride
The first ferry ride lasts about an hour - after that transfer to a bus for a ten minute bus ride across Major Sapori, another island en route Majuli. Then a short ferry ride, and yet another bus ride to Kamalabari, the main town on the island.
Site Map Where to stay:
Majuli does not have a developed infrastructure for tourism. There is 1 hotel.
Some Sattras have guestrooms. If you write in advance, they would certainly be available. The Satras that have such facilities and can deal with visitors easily are Natun Kamalabari, Uttar Kamalabari, Auniati, Bhogpur and Dakhinpat. The first two are walking distance from Kamalabari. The second two are slightly further a field (about six kilometers away), and Dakhinpath is at one end of the island. In case you wish to go to Dakhinpath, there is a ferry from Neemati direct to Dakhinpath as well.
In addition to the Satra facilities, there are Inspection Bungalows at some points on the island (the one at Kamalabari is well located), and a Circuit House at Garamur, which is the sub-divisional headquarters. For the Inspection Bunglows and Circuit House, you could write to the Sub-Divisional Officer, Garamur, Majuli, Assam.
Accommodation/Lodging
Place
No. of Beds Inspection Bungalow – Kamalabari Circuit House – Garamur Banking facilities
All Nationalized & Private banks are available in Guwahati, Jorhat and Majuli (SBI branch, United Bank of India).
(Currency Exchanger facility in Guwahati) What you can do to save Majuli?
Petition your Member of Parliament to raise the issue and insist that Government resources be brought in to study the problem and then devise remedies for protection; Visit Majuli as a concerned tourist, and document the story of the island. Share it with your friends, and create an awareness of this unique piece of heritage; Invest in developing the potential for Eco-tourism on Majuli; and Wear fabrics spun and woven in Majuli - this will directly increase incomes on the island.
For further details contact us at:
Majuli Island Protection & Development Council
68 South Avenue
New Delhi-110 011
Tel: +91-11-23792214
Sapta Sahid Road
GS Road, Mathura Nagar
Guwahati 781006
Tel: +91-361-2331937
Fax: +91-361-2611081
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