Centre for Brahmaputra Studies to be Set Up at IIT Guwahati

The Brahmaputra Board has approved Rs. 237 crore for protecting Majuli Island in Assam from erosion and flood, as well as, for setting up Centre for Brahmaputra Studies at Indian Institute of Technology, Guwahati. The centre will cover the following multi-disciplinary aspects: -

• Sociology
• Agriculture
• Inland Waterways
• Environment
• Hydrology

The world’s largest river island is Majuli, which is a part of alluvial floodplains of the Brahmaputra River. The idea of the government is to protect the island from erosion and floods. The total area of the island was 734 sq km in 1941. However, it was reduced to 502.21 sq km by 2004. The project will also focus on increasing the area of the island through reclamation of land. The project will be implemented through strengthening embankment at 24 locations.

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On December 30, 2017, the Ministry of Water Resources convened a meeting. During this meeting, the ministry approved the proposal of Brahmaputra Board. Many other decisions were taken during the meeting including afforestation in the upper riparian states to regulate sedimentation and soil erosion, development of complete Brahmaputra and others.

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The Centre for Brahmaputra Studies at IIT Guwahati will enable the students and faculty members to be associated with the conservation of forests, development of Brahmaputra Basin and protecting Majuli Island. It will be a great exposure to the students and students will become more aware of the environment.

Brahmaputra Board will prepare a detailed plan and submit the same to the Environment Ministry for consideration and release of funds.