ABSTRACT
One of the largest river islands in the world now, Majuli was not always an island. It has become one, and subsequently, the island has also undergone enormous transformations due to forces both biophysical and anthropogenic in nature. This chapter presents an in-depth discussion on the transformations of Majuli over the long haul of history. It takes into account the fluvial-geomorphological characteristics of the island and its numerous chaporis while engaging with the role of the political economic forces. It presents a detailed discussion on the changing wetland ecologies of the island. Although Majuli is endowed with a vast network of wetlands, many of them are in a highly depleted condition today. The chapter presents a macro picture of the crises facing these wetlands, which is then substantiated with a closer look at some of the iconic wetlands on the island, such as the Sukan suti River and Bhakati beel. Finally, the chapter engages with the issue of displacement, outmigration, and rehabilitation – processes that are integral to the making and unmaking of Majuli.
