Jorhat, 5th March, 2010:  In his maiden visit to Majuli,the largest riverine island in the  world, Assam Governor JB Patnaik today said the island should be accorded the status of a world heritage site. “The historic island should get the World Heritage Site status for its unique natural beauty and rich cultural heritage,” he said.

Patnaik, who was highly impressed with Majuli’s rich cultural heritage and unique geographical existence, said he would appraise the Centre of the problems facing the riverine island. He, however, expressed concern over the existence of the island before the organizations who had come to meet him seeking his help to fight erosion and other issues.

The Majuli Suraksha Sammanay Mancha, Majuli unit of Asom Jatiyatabadi Yuba Chatra Parishad (AJYCP), Majuli Lekhika Sanstha and the Senior Citizens Association of Majuli have submitted four separate memorandums to the Governor listing the various problems being faced by the island. The Majuli unit of the All Assam Journalists Union also submitted a memorandum to the Governor demanding the rehabilitation of more than 5,000 homeless people living on embankments.

Before winding up his two-day visit to Majuli, the Governor visited Kamalabari, Auniati and Garmour xatras. He also interacted with the xatradhikars and other vaishnavas of the xatras.