Floating ‘B4’ boat labs will study the Brahmaputra river

Written by Sowmiya Ashok

New Delhi | September 21, 2017 11:38 AM IST

3 min read

majuli island, riverine island, India's riverine island, Brahmaputra, Brahmaputra river, India news

"The island of Majuli is said to be the largest river island in the world. It is situation midst the river Brahmaputra, near Jorhat, in Assam, India. The island is around 200 kms in circumference but substantial river erosion is quite serious. The island is home to tribals such as the Mishing (also Missing) people who prefer living on the banks of the river. They are predominantly fisher people. Majuli island is also the home to some 22 Sattras (Hindu monasteries) mostly dedicated to the Hindu God, Vishnu. Majuli is dotted with lagoons, as depicted in this photograph. The water hyacinth, also in this photograph, is present too and in parts its proliferation is pernicious. Rice is a popular crop. The island of Majuli is a World Heritage Site and is beginning to attract a steady flow of tourists. The photograph was taken during late afternoon."

The Centre plans to safeguard the fast-eroding Majuli island — Asia’s largest riverine island — using research carried out on floating ‘B4’ boat labs along the Brahmaputra river. Majuli, the first island district of the country, was once 1200 square kilometres but due to excessive erosion has since shrunk to under 500 square kilometres. It is also known for being the seat of Assam’s Vaishnava monasteries.

‘B4’ – the ‘Brahmaputra Biodiversity and Biology Boat’, work on which will commence by December, will initially cover the region from Pasighat, Dibrigargh, Neemati, Tejpur and Guwahati in the state of Assam, said officials at the Department of Biotechnology. The department has set aside Rs. 50 crore as an initial investment on the project.

The large barge (or boat) which will be set up on the river will be a “well-equipped laboratory” with cold storage facilities for holding samples, along with multiple satellite boats or rafts that will venture into shallower and narrower parts of the river to lift samples.

“The large boat with the permanent lab will be spread over two floors and will go up and down the river. One floor will be dedicated to scientists, while the other floor will be accessible to residents of the area to learn about the eco-system,” said DBT secretary K. Vijay Raghavan on Wednesday. “The idea is to study the changes caused by dams, climate change, human interventions and the eventual effects it has on the river eco-system. Despite supporting considerable biodiversity, the Brahmaputra has not been studied as extensively as the Amazon,” he said.

Officials at DBT said that the project will “constantly monitor” the impact of various environmental and anthropological factors that affect the river and conduct research to mitigate the effects. The interdisciplinary focus, the work plan for which is developed with IIT Guwahati as the nodal agency, will also aim at a thorough study of freshwater resources of North East India. “The integrated approach is aimed to combine data, science and judgement that can impact policy,” said officials.

Union Science and Technology and Environment Minister Harsh Vardhan made the announcement about B4 on Wednesday and stressed that the programmes aimed at the North East of India were inspired by the ideals of Deendayal Upadhyay.

Further, Vardhan said that a Rs. 50-crore phyto-pharma plant mission has been set up to conserve medicinal plants. A frugal microscope ‘Foldscope’ assembled from simple components will be distributed in various schools and colleges across the northeastern states.

Stay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram

Tags:

Majuli