Abstract—Majuli, one of the largest inhabited river islands in the world, is under serious threat due to large-scale bank erosion by the Brahmaputra River. There is urgent need to preserve this socio-culturally rich island of over 0.2 million people. Erosions have been shrinking its landmass signifi-cantly and thereby causing enormous pressure on its eco-system. Through this study, an attempt has been made to assess the effect of flood and erosion on the island, its na-ture, habitats and eco-system. Survey maps and satellite data are considered as major inputs to this study. Inputs from various sources in the island including associated gov-ernment agencies are utilized in this study. Analyzed data indicate that the island eroded at an annual rate of 0.71 sq-km from 1914 to 1949 and alarmingly at an average rate of 3.43 sq-km in subsequent years. Recurring major floods have blanketed fertile land with unproductive silt and shrunk areas of water-bodies. Remedial measures to coun-ter all these diminishing phenomenon and conservation of its natural resources including restoration of water-bodies are discussed. For conservation and restoration of the de-graded island, people’s participation is considered very essential.

Index Terms—majuli, erosion, conservation, biodiversity, river island

Cite: Alee Sarma, "Landscape Degradation of River Island Majuli, Assam (India) due to Flood and Erosion by River Brahmaputra and Its Restoration," Journal of Medical and Bioengineering, Vol. 3, No. 4, pp. 272-276, December 2014. Doi: 10.12720/jomb.3.4.272-276