Parliament Question: Erosion and Land Loss in Majuli Island

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF JAL SHAKTI DEPARTMENT OF WATER RESOURCES, RIVER DEVELOPMENT & GANGA REJUVENATION LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1910 ANSWERED ON 31.07.2025 EROSION AND LAND LOSS IN MAJULI ISLAND

1910. SHRI GAURAV GOGOI

Will the Minister of JAL SHAKTI be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Government is aware of the findings of the recent study on erosion in Majuli Island which reports a loss of 75 sq. km of land and deposition of 58 sq. km along the Brahmaputra since 1986 and if so, the details thereof;

(b) whether the study has identified the Subansiri-Brahmaputra confluence and Kamalabari as particularly vulnerable erosion zones and if so, the details thereof;

(c) the specific protection and restoration measures being planned or implemented to address erosion in these critical zones; and

(d) whether the Government is considering a long-term, community-inclusive erosion management strategy for Majuli and other similarly affected riverine islands in Assam and if so, the details thereof? ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR JAL SHAKTI (SHRI RAJ BHUSHAN CHOUDHARY)

(a) & (b) Yes, a desk-study namely “Identification of potential erosion sites based on satellite imageries for Majuli Island along river Brahmaputra, Assam” was entrusted by Brahmaputra Board to Central Water & Power Research Station (CWPRS), Pune. The study utilized satellite imagery from 1986 to 2023 to analyze river channel behavior, major changes in bank line positions, and also erosion and deposition patterns.

As per the study, continuous erosion in the region near the confluence of Subansiri and Brahmaputra was observed throughout the study period (1986-2023), particularly Major Chapori NC, extending from Katoni Goan Na Satra to Banpurai. Further, major deposition was observed in between Ratanpur Miri Gaon to Kathal Khowa Pam, whereas the region around Kamala Bari eroded initially and deposited during 2018-2023. A significant deposition of approximately 27.47 Sq. km was observed near Kamala Bari during the period 2021 to 2022. Overall, an area of approximately 75 Sq. km has been eroded from various parts of Majuli Island, and an area of approximately 58 Sq. km has witnessed sediment deposition along the banks of the Brahmaputra River within Majuli Island.

1(c) The Brahmaputra Board has implemented the works for the protection of the Majuli Island since

2004. It has executed flood mitigation and erosion protection works in different phases, as mentioned

below:

S. No. Name of Scheme Estimated Cost Remarks (in Cr)

1. Immediate Measures 6.22 Completed (Jan. 2004 to Feb. 2005)

2. Phase-I 56.07 Completed (March 2005 to April 2011)

3. Emergent Works 4.99 Completed (2008)

4. Phase-II & III 115.99 Completed (March 2018)

5. Protection of the Majuli from 233.57 Completed (2024) flood and erosion of river Brahmaputra Phase IV Recently, Brahmaputra Board has commenced the execution of the project titled 'Protection of Majuli Island from Flood and Erosion of River Brahmaputra (Phase-V)' at an estimated cost of Rs.

56.34 Cr., aiming to address erosion in above critical stretches of the island. This project primarily involves the implementation of bank protection measures using PSC Porcupines at multiple vulnerable locations across Majuli Island.

(d) As per discussion held during 84th Brahmaputra Board meeting, Brahmaputra Board, in collaboration with INTACH, has taken up a comprehensive study titled "Formulation of Policy for Riverine Islands in the Brahmaputra River", which covers overs 30 riverine islands, with special attention to Majuli Island with a policy-driven and community-inclusive approach towards the sustainable management of erosion-prone riverine islands.

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