KAMALABARI, Feb 16 — Noted conservationist Bruce Jefferies, whose services have been requisitioned by the UNESCO to study the potential and management planning for the World Heritage Site proposal of Majuli island, is of the view that the maintenance of the satras (monasteries) and all of the cultural values associated with the Vaishnavite cult of the island, need, to a great extent, recognition and continues support for their survival. However, Jefferies was speaking on his personal capacity as a conservationist.
Jefferies, who worked in New Zealand, Antarctica, Nepal, Laos and Papua New Guinea as protected areas management adviser, has been working now in the same capacity with the National Parks and Wildlife Division of the Sarawak Forest department in Malaysia. He was speaking to The Assam Tribune on February 14 after the completion of his two-day whirlwind tour of the island on February 12 and 13. Jefferies was also of the opinion that regardless of the World Heritage Site recognition to the island, a resource management plan, based on the natural, cultural and other values of the island, should be prepared by the responsible organisations, including the NGOs, so that it can be used as a tool for the ongoing administration and management of the island.
Impressed much with the cultural values of the Majulials (Majuli people), Jefferies said that the cultural values of Majuli, as he experienced them, provided a very unique snapshot and insight into the wide diversity of culture of the island. And on the hospitality of the people, he said, “I found the legendary and traditional hospitality and friendliness of the people there I was able to meet. To me, it was a very special and memorable experience.” Another thing that impressed him, Jefferies said, was the ‘enlightened and very sensitive’ leadership and guidance that has been provided over the centuries by the satras and the satradhikars (heads of the satras).
On the question of preparing the resource management plan, he said that several key elements needed to be included in the plan. These key elements should include a clear description of the natural, cultural, agricultural and other main features that make up the island, as it is important that this assessment gives equal consideration to both the island’s natural and cultural values, he said. The identification and analysis of the threats or stresses faced by the values of the island will be possible only as a sequel to the above step. And, with a clear understanding of all these elements — natural, cultural values and threats — it should be possible to formulate strategies that will contribute to maintaining, restoring and enhancing the important natural and cultural values of the island, Jefferies said. It is worth mentioning here that Jefferies told a select gathering at Majuli College, Kamalabari in the evening of February 13 that the Majuli people should prepare the dossier for securing the World Heritage Site recognition to their island in its true spirit. Its preparation involves huge information and data base, tremendous efforts and multidisciplinary expertise. World Heritage Site status may only come on the merits of the dossier, he said.
Explaining the various aspects that are to be covered by the dossier to the gathering, which included Majuli Island Protection and Development Council (MIPADC) president Dr Arun Kumar Sarma, MP, its working president Rajiv Lochan Pegu, MLA, its general secretary Bharat Saikia and other office-bearers, Majuli College principal Hareswar Bora and his faculty members, National Institute of Hydrology’s NE regional director B C Patowary, noted film maker Charu Kamal Hazarika and Delhi-based architect Surajit Jaradhara, among others, Jefferies emphasised on the stress areas like population growth, flood and erosion problems, biodiversity and nature and culture, saying that for all these, a comprehensive strategy must be prepared attaching priority to the aspects, for the preservation and conservation of the resources and values of the island within a specific time schedule.