JORHAT, Aug 6 � During the last few days in Majuli the erosion by river Brahamaputra has fiercely gulped down metre after metre of the habitable land compelling hundreds of people to take shelter on the embankments. This is for the second time this year that erosion has done maximum damage to the habitable land of the biggest river island in the world. As many as 35 families of the Dakhinpat, Kumargaon, Chumoimari, Kankan Chapari, Pohardia and Sar Ati, Ahataguri, Dakshin Ahataguri and Jengrai areas have been left homeless during these last five days by the erosion.
Several cottage industries which were the means of livelihood of the multitude in the region are now in the bosom of the river due to the erosion. Earlier the erosion wiped away the existence of hundred of villages along with cultivable land of the Shalmora-Bechamora area.
The people of the worst affected Chumoimari village have to take shelter on the embankment after the village was eroded this time. The residence of Jugeswar Kutum, Aniram Kutum and Bopaikan Kutum which were situated on the foot of the embankment were engulfed by erosion. Now the very embankment is also under threat where several families have been taking shelter. The large area including Chumoimari, Saralapathar and Bengenaati, several hectors of land went inside the bosom of the river during these last few days.
The erosion prevailing in the Salmora village of Ujani Majuli area left the families of Bhai Saikia, Phatik Saikia, Deoram Kalita and Jugeswar Kalita. The Salmora, famous for the art of pottery is under the threat of the erosion. One villager Jadu Kalita told this correspondent that if the erosion goes on it is sure that the village will exist no more. And along with it the pottery, the profession of the villagers of Salmora would not remain alive.
It is worth mentioning here that water resource department of the government of Assam started a project worth Rs 3.39 crore of porcupine along these areas. But the local people alleged that as the scheme was not well planned the erosion is still continuing at its usual rate. They also informed that the families of Chandra Kalita, Bhai Saikia, Niran Saikia and Sanai Medhi Saikia are yet to receive compensation against the cultivable land acquired to construct the spur there.
On the other hand, criticizing the activities of the Brahamaputra Board they alleged that it has totally failed to protect the river island even after spending lots of funds on the schemes to protect Majuli. One left homeless by the erosion said in anguish, �Can the bamboo porcupines save the villages from erosion? The bamboo porcupines installed along the river to save our village were dumped into the river by the heavy erosion within a few days�.
A delegation of the Asam Jatiyatabadi Yuba Chatra Parishad, Majuli unit after their visit to the worst-hit areas of the river island alleged that the departments concerned did not take necessary action in time to stop the erosion. It also demanded compensation to the affected families at the earliest.
