Majuli declared eco-sensitive zone

During a visit to the river island in the Brahmaputra system, Union Forest and Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh said that given the impressive environment friendly atmosphere of Majuli, the area was selected as an eco-sensitive zone. In order to keep alive the traditional livelihood of villagers and the predominant Xatriya culture of Vaishnavite saint Srimanta Sankardeva, protect the social forestry and environment, several schemes have been lined up which will be implemented soon, told reporters.

Noting that Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, who is a Rajya Sabha member from Assam, is keen on protection of Majuli from erosion, Ramesh said all the schemes will be taken up under the outlay of Rs Five crore that has already been sanctioned by the Centre.

He asked the state government to submit viable projects for protection of the river island. Earlier, Ramesh, who arrived here after visiting the famed Kaziranga National Park, inaugurated a tourist complex at Kamalabari in the heart of the island.