STAFF REPORTER
GUWAHATI: Besides hailing the State Government's move to form task forces for the recovery of xatra lands from encroachment, Xatradhikar of Sri Sri Auniati Satra Dr Pitambar Dev Goswami has requested Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma to protect Majuli from erosion.
Talking to The Sentinel, Dr Dev Goswami said, "Along with the people of Majuli, erosion by the Brahmaputra has badly affected Xatras in the river island, Vaishnavite cultural hub of the State. Already the lands of several xatras in the river island have been gobbled up by the river. The State government should protect Majuli and the xatras in it. I request the Chief Minister to take special measures to protect Majuli from erosion.
"There is also an Auniati Xatra at North Guwahati. I've seen a stone embankment there. That effort is successful. That measure can be taken in Majuli also. Stone embankments of one or two km can be erected here too on an experimental basis.
"Recently the Chief Minister visited Majuli. He talked to us. I appealed to him to keep up the speed for the development of Majuli initiated by former Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal, completion of the Jorhat-Majuli bridge at the pace at which the Guwahati-North Guwahati Bridge is underway, and the installation of a few ICU (Intensive Care Unit) beds at Garamur Hospital.
"The move to form task forces for the recovery of xatra lands from encroachment has been reflected in the Governor's address to the 15th Assam Legislative Assembly. It's a welcome move. Xatras are the backbone of the Assamese culture. In the absence of Xatras Assamese culture will extinct."
Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma is the guardian minister of Majuli. On behalf of Auniati Xatra, Dr Dev Goswami extended a sum of money for the COVID-19 vaccination drive in the State.