Lok Sabha Question No. 1910 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-07-31
Subject: Erosion and Land Loss in Majuli Island
Ministry: JAL SHAKTI
Asked by: Shri Gaurav Gogoi

## 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.

- (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 (in Cr)   | Remarks                              |
|----------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------|--------------------------|--------------------------------------|
|        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 flood and erosion of river Brahmaputra Phase IV | from 233.57              | Completed (2024)                     |

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  84 th 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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