PROBLEMS OF RIVER EROSION IN MAJULI, ASSAM, INDIA: A GEO-ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYSIS

River bank erosion is an important problem causing land loss and catastrophic flood. Majuli is the world’s largest river island with cultural hub of Assam has been facing great threat due to the environmental and social consequences of bank line erosion. Along with the problem of bank line erosion, problems of acute flood, sand casting, embankment breach, road breach have been tormenting life in Majuli. Erosion in Majuli results due to lateral movement of the bank lines. Therefore to assess the riverbank erosion it is necessary to study the channel platform change over time. The present study is an attempt to investigate the social and environmental causes and consequences to understand the problem of river bank erosion in the Majuli island. To fulfil the aim, the study has been done very systematically and data has been collected in scientifically from both primary and secondary sources. Data are analysis through statistical techniques. The findings reveal that Majuli has been observed to be shrinking in due course of time. River channels are susceptible to change in their course and dimension over time and space.