GUWAHATI, April 20 – While its cultural and spiritual heritage makes it an ideal candidate for acquiring the status of a UNESCO World Heritage Site, its rich biodiversity only adds to that claim. Not many may be aware, but Majuli, one among the largest river islands inhabited the world, possesses a range of animal and plant life that is of considerable significance. The picture once completed by researchers would definitely help it gain more focus in the national and international scene, said a noted environmentalist.

Majuli has been able to retain a variety of flora and fauna for a variety of reasons, one of which is its Vaishnavite culture built on love and sympathy for all living beings. Moreover, it is an island and therefore has maintained a certain distance from large-scale human intervention, feels Dr Bibhab Talukdar of the conservation group Aaranyak.

According to him, the river island contains grasslands and wetlands in sizeable quantity and both are certain to harbour a number of species, some of which might even have gone extinct in other regions.

The wetlands alone could sustain a plethora of small animals and a wide variety of species. Unlike in the rest of the State, most of Majuli’s wetlands are still thriving and so are the life forms in them.

But what really attracts his attention is “the amazing variety of bird life within a limited territory.” There could well be more than 300 varieties, and many of them are resident. Among the resident species are threatened species like pelicans, greater and lesser adjutant storks and black-necked cranes.

During winter large flocks of migratory birds have also been documented in and around the island.

The plant life of Majuli might have surprises in store too. Some of the indigenous communities have relied on them and their traditional knowledge about them is equally impressive. Some trees and plants have played a role in local culture and thus enhanced the mystique of the land and her people.

Dr Talukdar regretted that even though the island is well known to the people of Assam, local biologists are yet to focus on the landscape of Majuli. He hoped that young students and researchers would arrive at Majuli and document and study the rich biotic diversity.

The riverine areas and the wetlands alone could open up a treasure trove of information. “I would not be surprised if new species are discovered in some of the areas,” he said.

As a frequent visitor to the place, he revealed that he was impressed with the fact that while the rest of the state was witnessing human-animal conflict, the general respect for all life forms in Majuli was an exceptional reality.

By The Assam Tribune, 21th Apr'.2008