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Majuli Island to be re-nominated for World Heritage site

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October 31, 2007 10:50 IST

Undeterred by last year's failure, India is having a second try at securing World Heritage Site from the UNESCO for the picturesque Majuli Island in Assam, which is also an important seat of Vaishnava culture.

The culture ministry is tying all the lose ends to avoid a repeat of rejection of India's effort in 2006.

The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) had submitted a nomination dossier on Majuli island for consideration of the World Heritage Committee in July 2006. But the committee found the information provided on Majuli insufficient to be considered as a World Heritage Site and returned the proposal seeking additional information on the island.

"This time, we are compiling the information and proper documentation with the help of experts. An action plan has been drawn up for collecting the required information for submitting the same to the World Heritage Committee soon," said a senior ASI official.

Spread across 880 sq km on the Brahmaputra river, Majuli is the world's largest inhabited freshwater river island.
Preserved in the Vaishnavaite monasteries called Satras (social institutions), there were about 64 Satras a few years ago.

"However, not many exist now as the island is facing the erosion from the mighty Brahmaputra," A K Sarma, Assam MP, said.

"The presentation made before the committee in 2006 was not proper as there were many flaws in the documentation. No wonder it did not find favour with the UNESCO team. I have taken up the matter with the ministry. I hope that this time the ASI would not goof up," said Sarma.


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