Guwahati, Nov 27: Assam Chief Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma today appealed to the Union Minister of Culture and Tourism Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, to consider including River Island of Majuli in the UNESCO World Heritage Sites list, recognizing the island’s immense cultural and ecological significance.
He said this at the 12th edition of the International Tourism Mart (ITM) which was inaugurated today in Kaziranga by Union Minister of Culture and Tourism Gajendra Singh Shekhawat. Chief Ministers of Northeastern states were also present on the occasion apart from officials.
The River Island of Majuli in the midstream of the Brahmaputra River in Assam is still on the tentative list of Unesco since 2004.
The International Council on Monuments and Sites (Icomos), an advisory body of the Unesco World Heritage Centre, had carried out a detailed evaluation of Majuli Island in 2005. Based on the Icomos report, the nomination came up for consideration before the World Heritage Committee in 2006 but was referred back asking the government to assemble more information on the satras remaining on the island and how they had influenced its landscape and culture.
The committee had also asked the government to create an inventory of architecture and spatial patterns associated with the satras and to come up with legal protection to safeguard the river island. Numerous discussions were held but nothing happened till now.
Dr. Sarma noted with pride the recent recognition of Charaideo Maidam as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, attributing this achievement to the concerted efforts of both the Prime Minister and the Union Minister of Culture and Tourism. He emphasized Charaideo’s historical significance, particularly during the six centuries of Ahom rule, which contributed to Assam’s remarkable advancements in myriad fields during that time. The Chief Minister hailed this as a monumental success for the people of Assam, one that attests to the enduring legacy of the region.
Chief Minister Dr. Sarma said that it was an immense honour to host the International Tourism Mart for a third time in the region.
He expressed that this edition of the Mart would serve as a vibrant platform for the display of the Northeast’s multifaceted heritage – its culture, folk traditions, and the rich panorama of its historical narratives. It is through such engagements, he added, that both national and international delegates would be afforded the invaluable opportunity to engage intimately with Assam’s illustrious cultural and historical lineage.
Dr. Sarma called upon all stakeholders and entrepreneurs involved in the tourism industry to collaborate in the development of the sector, underscoring the importance of unified efforts.
In a testament to the region’s growing appeal, the Chief Minister noted that Assam had witnessed the arrival of ten lakh tourists the previous year, attributing this surge to the Prime Minister’s visit and the heightened attention towards Kaziranga.
He also proposed the establishment of tourism museums in New Delhi and Guwahati, which would play a crucial role in promoting Northeast India as a distinct tourism circuit. He stressed that the establishment of such museums would, in turn, significantly boost the influx of both domestic and international visitors.
