Location map of Majuli island in Brahmputra river
The island is formed by the Brahmaputra river in the south and the Kherkutia Xuti, an anabranch of the Brahmaputra, joined by the Subansiri River in the north. Mājuli island is accessible by ferries from the city of Jorhat. The island is about 300–400 kilometres (186–249 mi) east from the state's largest city —Guwahati. It was formed due to course changes by the river Brahmaputra and its tributaries, mainly the Lohit.
A subsidiary khal (small drainage) in Majuli island meeting with Brahmputra river
A paddy field with a boat route
Marshy lands located in Majuli island
Journey Diary: Within the meantime of of annual conference of NAGI (National Association, Geographers of India) in RGU (Rajiv Gandhi University, Itanagar, Arunachal Pradesh), we decided to go Majuli island; for this purpose we reserved a 10 seater vehicle. On 30 October, 2018 in the early morning around 5:30 am we started our journey for Majuli island (distance is almost 75 km) and after 3 hours near about 8:30 am we arrived in Majuli island.
Route map from Rono Hills (RGU Campus), Itanagar to Majuli island
Swampy and marshy land surface begins to visible everywhere, there were numbers of small drainage system developed inward in the Majuli island from Brahmputra river master stream. Thus, were there in post Monsoon season, therefore their is very less chances for sudden flood or water lock event.
Actually in our mind with the name of any 'island' we just start to imagine any land mass which is surrounded by water mass, but in case of Majuli island which is extended over an area of 352 sq. km possesses huge flora and fauna as well as human population (1.67 lakh). Therefore, Majuli have a Vidhansabha's M.L.A. seat.
Handloom (traditional Cloth making tools) is another characteristics of Majuli; we seen in many house they have been equipped with proper traditional handloom machine, women wear traditional Assamiya saari made from their handloom.
A traditional handloom made Sari wore by a Majuli women
Economic activities of the people: The economy of Majuli Island is agrarian. Agriculture along with its allied activities is the principal occupation of the people of Majuli Island. As high as around 80% of the overall population of the Majuli Island accrue their living from agriculture and its allied activities. Due to availability of marshy land and access of water resources paddy cultivation during Monsoon is the main agricultural product. Here in the below picture we can see a paddy field is surrounded by bamboo barriers and beside this field a pasturing field is also connected. Animal husbandry is another parallel economic activities of local people. Cow, poultry, ducks, pigs are common cattles for extra income beside agriculture. Fishing is also extra activity for getting protein from fish. In below photo we can see a man carries about 15 feet long fishing rod. Govt. also supported to local population for enhancing their traditional skills such as poultry farming.
A paddy as well as pasturing field in the island
Cow husbandry is another parallel occupation beside cultivation
Duck farming is another subsidiary economic activities
A man carries a fishing rod probably for fishing in near swampy surface
A poultry infants develop center in Majuli
Local resources for life subsidence: Bamboo is the main source of local building materials. Almost all kind of local needs such as basketing, building houses or any other crafts are made by bamboo. Elevated house using local available materials such as soil and bamboo is the main characteristics of local house building. During Monsoon season almost whole Majuli become flooded, water comes from main master stream of Brahmputra through different subsidiaries. Therefore, local people makes their housed elevated to protect from almost four month logged water from Monsoon rainfall. Wood is another resource which is basically use as fuel for cooking purpose in their kitchen.
Stocks of bamboos which use as a building resources
Stocks of wood for fuel resources
An elevated house (House elevated for the protection of flood water during Monsoon rainfall)
Education: Education is the basic need for a modern society, we seen many Primary, Secondary, Higher Secondary and College level education institutions in Majuli island.
A primary school namely "Shankardev Shishu Niketan" located in Fulni, Majuli
School students are going to their school
Transporting system: Waterway is the main transporting system in Majuli island. Aflamukh ferryghat in Majuli island which is well connected from Jorhat, Tejpur and Dibrughar cities located beside of Brahmputra river (all season transport means). All kind of goods and passengers boats run in this river route. Inland water way also developed in Majuli island, local people are generally use these small boats for movement in water and fishing purposes in all around the year.
Brahmputra river and location of Aflamukh ferryghat in Majuli island
A Goods transportation boat is getting ready in Aflamukh ferryghat, Majuli
Small boat for using transportation in water ways
Commercial activities: Thus, Majuli island have lack of infrastructure regarding commercial hubs such as big cities or locations, therefore small shops related with daily uses are main commercial dependency for getting services and goods. These shops are located under poor building material made from bamboo and tins.
A typical shop under bamboo and tin construction beside roads
Flora and Fauna in Majuli island: A wetland, Majuli is a hotspot for flora and fauna, harbouring many rare and endangered avifauna species including migratory birds that arrive in the winter season. Among the birds seen here are the greater adjutant stork, pelican, Siberian crane and the whistling teal. Hence, we reached here in October month which is post monsoon season, therefore we were not able to see any migratory birds. Some number of herons and other birds we were seen.
A herons (Bagula) is busy in fishing
After successfully excursion as whole day in Majuli island we decided to go returen to Itanagar and therefore, around 6 pm after sunset we started to move for Itanagar and our beautiful marshland journey ended. At in the time of dinner (9:00 pm) we arrived to the University campus with bring awesome memories from the island.
Suggestions for Tourists: Hence we want to suggest some suggestions for tourists who want to come and enjoy beautiful island.
1. Best months for visiting: October to March (one should to avoid Monsoon rainfall season)
2. Thus, it is a swampy and marshy land humidity may remain on the maximum, so try to drink good amount of water.
3. Their is lack of hotels (for lunch meal), so tourists are advice to keep breakfast or lunch with them.
4. Local people are very good with behavior, try to behave politely.
5. If you want to purchase any local goods then try Handloom made Saries (it is a local symbol of tradition)
6. Local water quality is very bad for drinking so try to keep a Gallon of drinking water too.
The Geographia's YouTube channel - Majuli Island
The Geographia's YouTube Channel - Aflamukh Ferry Ghat in Majuli
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