GUWAHATI, April 1 –The Assam Legislative Assembly today passed a unanimous resolution to declare Majuli river island a culturally protected area. The resolution, moved by Rajiv Lochan Pegu of the Congress was supported by legistators of all the parties and groups. Moving the resolution, Sri Pegu stressed the need for protecting the rich Satriya cultural heritage of Majuli. He said that though Satriya dance has been recognised as a classical dance form of the country, it may lose its originality if steps are not taken to protect the Satriya cultural heritage. He pointed out that the UNESCO has initiated a study on the demand for declaring Majuli a heritage site and the plan must be approved by authorities concerned based upon adequate legislation.
Supporting the resolution, Sri Hitendra Nath Goswami (AGP) said that the original Satriya culture is protected in Majuli and all-out efforts must be made to protect the rich cultural heritage. He said that steps should also be taken to protect the river island from erosion. Sri Premadhar Bora (TGP) extended full support to the motion and pointed out that Assam was always the centre of Indian cultural civilisation. Sri Pabindra Deka (ind) pointed out that the area of Majuli has been reduced from 1100 sq km to only 840 sq km due to severe erosion. He said that the Satriya cultural heritage must be protected to protect the identity of the Assamese people.
Sri Dinesh Chandra Sarkar (BJP) supported the resolution and demanded steps by the government to protect all the Satras of the State. Sri Brindaban Goswami (AGP) pointed out that a number of Satras from Majuli were forced to be shifted to other places due to natural disasters. He said that there should be proper research on the Satriya cultural heritage. Sri Idris Ali (Cong) said that if the people of Assam cannot protect their own culture, foreign funds alone cannot protect the Assamese culture. He also entended his full support to the resolution.
Sri Paniram Rabha and Sri Bidya Singh Ingleng of the Congress also supported the resolution. The Speaker, Sri Prithibi Maji informed the House that he also supported the resolution. In her reply, the Minister of State for Cultural Affairs, Smt Pranati Phukan said that the government is in favour of declaring Majuli a culturally protected area. She described Majuli as ‘Assam’s pride’ and said that steps should have been taken much earlier for protection of the rich cultural heritage of Majuli. She said that efforts are on for getting recognition for Majuli as a heritage site from the UNESCO. The Archaeological Survey of India has already initiated a study in this regard, she added. The House later passed the resolution to declare Majuli a culturally protected area.