ABSTRACT
This chapter deals with the unique situation of the people who live in the mid-channel bars or islands of the Brahmaputra and its tributaries locally known as chars. Historically, the chars of Brahmaputra were not inhabited permanently. There are few references of temporary habitations in limited number of chars mainly for floodplain cultivation of mustard during the winter months in Upper Assam and as temporary shelters for livestock in Lower Assam, particularly in the undivided Goalpara District. A socio-economic survey of 304 households in six char villages spread over three development blocks of Barpeta District reveals that 29 per cent of the households were affected due to erosion and 48 per cent of the land was wiped out between 1988 and 2003. During this time period, the biggest flood occurred during 1988 and the damage due to erosion was also most severe as was its aftermath.
