Regional Analysis

Majuli

The dwellers of Majuli are mostly tribal folk. These tribal are the Mishing tribes from Arunachal Pradesh and who immigrated here centuries ago. The population of Majuli comprises of Ahoms, Kacharis, Brahmins, Kalaitas, Koch-Rajbongshis, Bonias, Koibatras, Naths, Mising, Deoris, Suts, Chutias, Sonowal, Kacharis, Nomosudras, Nepalis, Kumars, Bengalis. The main languages of the island are: Assamese, Mising, Deori.

Majuli has very high potential to become a key tourism destination. However, development of Majuli needs to be undertaken in a very sustainable, environment friendly manner. Majuli will be positioned as a eco tourism destination. Satras and the Mishing tribes add to the eco-cultural attractions.

In addition to the uniqueness of Majuli island and the individual tourism potential, one critical factor is its location, which could easily be part of the most identified tourist circuit and proximity to Kaziranga Wildlife Sanctuary.

The main proposals for Majuli tourism destination development are as follows:

DEVELOPMENT PROPOSAL:

Infrastructure Planning:

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  Road from Jorhat to Nimati Ghat needs improvement (12 kms)- new road 5.5 m wide for the last 2.5 kms and improvements in the first 9.5 kms.
  
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  Development of jetty at Nimatighat. It will have berthing and landing facilities. Beside the jetty, covered waiting area will be provided for seating around 20 persons at Nimatighat.
  
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  Parking area development near the proposed jetty area development
  
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  Development of jetty at Majuli. This will have berthing and landing facilities. Beside the jetty, covered waiting area will be provided for seating around 20 persons at Nimatighat and 10 persons at Majuli.
  
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  Parking area development near the proposed jetty area development at Majuli disembarkment.
  
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  Road from landing at Majuli to bazaar area (around 1 km) needs new road construction.
  

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  Purchase of aesthetically beautiful covered boats- 4 in no regular and 4 in no luxury houseboats. These houseboats would commute visitors to and fro the island, and this itself would be a leisure tourism activity. The houseboats will be equipped with snack counters, toilets etc. 4 Luxury houseboats will have accommodation facilities and full fledged stay, anchored outside the island or in the backwaters. Private sector would be encouraged to come with more stay houseboats.
  
  
  
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  Development of interconnected Backwaters of Majuli island. The interconnected water channel can be cleared of weeds and around couple of kms stretch developed for backwater attraction.
  
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  Multi purpose cultural centre to be constructed, which will show the history and development of Satras, tribal culture etc.
  
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  Series of small boats will be purchased and given to the local community to manage the same for tourists. Some will be partly covered of medium size and few of the smallest size, giving tourists the local feel.
  
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  4 Eco Resorts are proposed in Majuli- this will be completely in local indigenous style using locally available materials, completely merging with the background. These will be high end in nature. The purpose is not to overthrust the infrastructure here.
  
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  Angling facilities for Eco-fishing experience for tourists.
  
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  Ethnic eateries are proposed. Fishing restaurant where tourists could select the fish and see live preparation and have the same.
  
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  Fish Festival / Machli Mahotsav: Since Majuli has ample water and has wide variety of fish, Fish Festival should be organized where in different varieties of fish can be displayed and people who want to buy can also purchase.
  
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  Tree top machans in the natural environment for tourists to enjoy
  
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  Bird Watching points: Creation of water holes / food points for better sighting seeing of birds or local animals. Artificial water holes would be constructed at strategic places for better bird sighting. These activities will be carried out in cooperation with the local residents of the area.
  
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  Medical garden based on Mishi Tradition: To enlighten tourist about the rich traditions of the Mishi Tribe specially their Traditional Healthcare System based on wild plants
  
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  Handicrafts promotion: Various activities for Handicrafts integration into tourism would include:
  

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  Training of local people in handicraft, Income generation activities like apiculture etc. This will be done on based on the need and capacity of people and after assessing the marketability of the products
  

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  Creation of Rest Points / Sitting arrangement near satras: To create sitting arrangement with sheds for and eating joints near satras. The joints should give information about satras, area, tribe, culture etc.
  
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  Tourist Amenity Cluster at Nimatighat- which would house:
  

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  Waiting area with seating for 10 persons
  
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  2 toilets each for men and women.
  
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  Purified Drinking water Provision
  
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  Waste Bins
  

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  Tourist Reception Cluster at Majuli - which would house:
  

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  Reception cell cum information center to be created near the de-boarding fairy pints. Reception cell cum information center would be created in such a way that it projects the historical and ethnic diversity of the place along with information’s on weather, natural calamity, bird, animal, stay, food, tribe etc. This facility should be managed by the local residents of the area.
  
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  Waiting area with seating for 10 persons
  
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  2 toilets each for men and women.
  
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  Purified Drinking water Provision
  
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  Waste Bins
  

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  Amenity Complex: An amenity centre be created in the centre of Majuli with Tourists Shopping experience, toilet facilities, series of facilities which include:
  

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  Tourist Information Counter with availability of brochures and pamphets on Majuli and nearby
  
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  Souvenier shop: Nature & ethnicity based souvenir items. Souvenir items like local handicraft items, postcards, T-Shirts, Caps etc would be available here.
  
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  Ethnic Restaurant which serves ethnic cuisines and local fish items.
  

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  Majuli Tourism Society be formed from the local villages and they will handle all the tourism activities. Majuli tourism society shall run environment friendly mini coaches to take tourists around. As an initial measure, from the project funds, 4 such buses be bought and given for the society.
  
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  Generate awareness among the villagers: Highlight the ecological and economic benefits of conservation of rare and endangered species and other ecologically and economically important plant resources and animal population
  
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  Self-Help Tourism Scheme can be initiated by the villagers and gram pancgyat where in the unemployed youths provide services such as guide sell handicraft and earn living. These groups can be organized at the village level by the Panchayats and local NGO’s.
  
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  Nature awareness camps and programs for school children: Nature camps would be organized for school children.
  

The costs for the proposed development for the Majuli area development and the proposed phase of development are as follows:

5. 
   Costs and Phasing: Majuli Area Development