Jorhat (Assam), Mar 24: Neematighat, gateway to Majuli, the world's largest fresh water island, is on way to extinction with Brahmaputra river eroding it steadily since October last year.
The affected areas has been the market area, which includes the bus terminus, waiting room, rest house, tour operators' offices, tourist information office and nearly 20 shops, local administration sources said.
Local people, NGO's and other organisations have blamed both the state and central governments for the plight of Neematighat, the only historic gateway to Majuli famed for its unique geographical characteristics, cultural heritage and the homeland to various ethnic groups.
They also accused the agencies responsible for the protection of the area including the Water Resource Department, for allegedly failing to take measures for the past 50 years to save Neematighat, which sees at least 20 foreigner tourists every month besides large number of those from the country.
The people complain that the monitoring and follow up process to stop erosion after the floods last year left much to be desired.
Assam Water Resource Minister Rajib Lochan Pegu said protection work could not be started as the Centre had not allotted the required fund to start anti-erosion works during winter.
Pegu also accused the Brahmaputra Board, the Centre's implementing agency, of doing anti-erosion works ‘only on paper, videography and photos'.
“If the Centre's monitoring team come to Majuli via Neematighat they are taken only to those areas that show they are doing a lot of work”.
