Majuli begins forest drive to fight erosion and boost climate resilience
The administration of Majuli has embarked on an ambitious reforestation initiative to restore nearly 900 bighas of barren land at Kargil Chapori, a vulnerable sandbar on the Brahmaputra. This verdant push, launched on Monday under the stewardship of the district administration, marks a pivotal shift in the region’s response to climate threats, riverbank erosion, and socio-economic challenges.
The initiative is expected to set the stage for a broader agro-ecological transformation on the world’s largest inhabited river island. Thousands of indigenous saplings and native orchids were planted with active participation from forest officials, local communities, reintegrated former insurgents, and environmental stakeholders. At the heart of this green campaign lies the vision to establish a self-sustaining “Kargil Forest,” designed not only to serve as a carbon sink and erosion buffer but also as an organic agro-tourism hub that can provide livelihood opportunities to local youth. According to the district administration, the proposed forest will be modelled as a community-led resource, aimed at enhancing biodiversity, attracting eco-conscious travellers, and reviving Majuli’s traditional bond with nature.
The symbolic presence of former members of the United Liberation Front of Asom (Ulfa), now working as community farmers across 2,000 bighas in the Chapori region, added emotional gravitas to the event. Their ongoing contribution to sustainable agriculture and land restoration has received widespread appreciation. Their engagement reflects a significant shift in Majuli’s social fabric, where reconciliation meets regeneration. It also highlights the potential for inclusive governance models that blend environmental action with social rehabilitation. The initiative reinforces how reformed lives can actively shape a more sustainable future while healing landscapes scarred by ecological neglect and sociopolitical strife.
The divisional forest officer noted that the ecological success of the initiative hinges on planting climate-resilient native species suited to stabilise the sandy terrain of the Brahmaputra. Such interventions, he explained, will create natural bulwarks against seasonal floods and soil loss, while simultaneously enhancing the local ecosystem’s ability to support birdlife, small mammals, and pollinators. Stakeholders believe this plantation drive is more than a green effort—it is a conscious step towards creating climate-resilient communities and a low-carbon future for Assam. As Majuli contends with rising environmental pressures, this restoration drive not only offers hope for its disappearing greenscapes but also renews its legacy as a beacon of harmony between people and nature.
Majuli begins forest drive to fight erosion and boost climate resilience
