The panel of Brahmaputra Board, overseeing the implementation of Rs 237 crore project for protecting Majuli island from flood and erosion, has also suggested setting up a centre for Brahmaputra studies in IIT, Guwahati.
The Centre for Brahmaputra studies will cover multi-disciplinary aspects of hydrology, environment, inland waterways, agriculture and sociology. The Central Government will support establishment of the Centre.
Majuli District with an area of 1245 sq km, includes the main Majuli Island. It is a river island in the Brahmaputra river, which has formed because of silt deposits. The soil is without cohesion and thus, susceptible to erosion.
Major works carried out by the Brahmaputra Board in the past, includes raising and strengthening of 96.25Km embankment with breach closure at 24 locations, construction of noses of land spurs at Sonowal Kachari and Kandulimari, numerous RCC porcupine screens, spurs etc at erosion affected reaches, bank revetment for a length of 4.11 km at 4 locations and 5 numbers of raised platforms. Judicious laying of porcupine screens encouraged heavy siltation and have brought about favourable changes in the river morphology and regime. Reclamation of land started and area of Majuli Island increased from 502.21 sq km in 2004 to 524.29 sq km in 2016.
