It is not in the power of modern science and technology to fight nature's wrath. At least the residents of Majuli think so, for these victims of erosion have decided to go for the last resort, the Almighty.
Over two thousand people from 23 erosion-affected villages along the Brahmaputra offered prayers to the river on Saturday in order to appease god. They were joined by vaishnavites from three ashrams situated in Majuli. Despite spending crores of rupees on anti-erosion schemes, the government has failed to bring the situation under control.
"We have no other alternative than to offer prayer to the Almighty to save ourselves. The river is washing away the villages one after another and gobbling up hundreds of hectares of culpable land belonging to the farmers here. Government projects bore no fruit. So we decided to come together to offer prayer to the river seeking her kindness to save us," said a villager, who was present at the programme held at Bhogpur Puhardia area.
Dimbeswar Dutta, who has lost 18 bighas to the river so far, said: "Nowadays we have lost our faith in modern science and technology that are being used in Majuli protection works. Almost all the scientific projects become worthless in Majuli and the erosion continues. We have lost many villages and thousands of families have become homeless."
"Crores of rupees have been released for the projects but with no result," Dutta added.
Five villages, like Upper Sonowal, Nam Sonowal, Botighamori, Kaniajan and Hokonamukh under Kamalabari gaon panchyat have been completely eroded and more than 30 other villages under Kamalabari and Dakhinpaat gaon panchyats are fast vanishing.
The erosion is also threatening satras (vaishnavite ashrams) like Adi Bihimpur, Bhogpur and Bengenaati in Kamalabari area. "So we have organized a day-long prayer to the Brahmaputra today (Saturday)," he said.
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