ABSTRACT
In this afterword, I view the Majuli hazardscape in the light of the changing contemporary politics in Assam (and India in general) and reflect on challenges and possibilities that this new politics opens up for the island. In 2016, Majuli elected the Chief Minister of the state from its constituency. Soon after, it was declared a district (previously a subdivision under Jorhat district), thus becoming the first island district in India. In the run-up to the 2016 election, a number of stalwarts from the central government, including Prime Minister Modi, visited Majuli and promised a new dawn (“poriborton”) in Majuli. In 2021, the incumbent Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) came back to power in Assam. With these political developments, the people of Majuli are looking at profound transformations: increased budgetary allocations, more infrastructural push, greater connectivity with the mainland, and an invigorated tourism sector. Already, the Prime Minister has laid the foundation stone for a 6.8-kilometer-long bridge between Majuli and Jorhat, with a completion target of four years. What do these developments mean for the island in the long run? What paths should Majuli follow for a future that is sustainable and equitable? These are but some of the issues that I reflect on in this chapter.
