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APSC Answer Writing (Daily) based on Assam Tribune – 25/06/2025

For APSC CCE and other Assam Competitive examinations aspirants, practicing Daily Answer Writing is vital. This blog covers the most important Main question and its model Answer from the Assam Tribune today (25-06-2025).

📝 Mains Question:

Q. Discuss the significance of declaring Majuli as a Biodiversity Heritage Site (BHS) under the Biological Diversity Act, 2002. What challenges are involved in the conservation of river island ecosystems like Majuli, and how can they be addressed?

📘 Model Answer

Introduction

Majuli, the world’s largest inhabited river island and a cultural hub of neo-Vaishnavism, has been proposed by the Assam State Biodiversity Board (ASBB) as Assam’s first Biodiversity Heritage Site (BHS) under Section 37 of the Biological Diversity Act, 2002. Recognizing Majuli as a BHS is both an ecological and cultural imperative in the face of mounting environmental pressures.

Significance of BHS Status for Majuli

Domain	Contribution
🌿 Ecological	Protects wetland biodiversity, fish species, migratory birds, and rare flora
🧘‍♂️ Cultural	Preserves traditional eco-sensitive practices of Vaishnavite Satras
🌾 Economic	Supports sustainable livelihoods like fishing, handloom, and ecotourism
🌊 Hydrological	Wetlands and floodplains act as natural buffers during monsoons
🧑‍🎓 Educational	Becomes a living lab for biodiversity education and citizen science

Why Majuli Is Ecologically Unique

Home to over 100+ species of fish, orchids, and aquatic vegetation
Lies in the Brahmaputra floodplain, highly dynamic and fertile
Key stopover for Central Asian migratory birds
Known for organic rice varieties and wetland-based agriculture
Site of community conservation traditions, e.g., xatras planting sacred groves

Challenges in Conserving River Island Ecosystems

Challenge	Explanation
🌊 Erosion by Brahmaputra	Majuli has lost over 30% landmass in 100 years
🚧 Infrastructure Pressure	Roads, embankments disrupt wetland hydrology
🧴 Tourism-linked Pollution	Plastic, sewage, and over-tourism near Satras
🌱 Invasive Species	Water hyacinth and alien fishes disrupting wetland ecosystems
📋 Poor Policy Enforcement	Weak BMC presence and lack of coordination among agencies

Legal and Policy Framework

Biological Diversity Act, 2002 – BHS declaration by state governments
Wetland Rules, 2017 – Legal protection for notified wetlands
State Biodiversity Board & BMCs – Key implementing agencies
Eco-sensitive Zone (ESZ) Notification – Can regulate tourism and construction
National Biodiversity Action Plan (NBAP) – India’s roadmap to protect key ecosystems

Way Forward

Solution Area	Strategic Action
📜 BHS Notification Process	Complete Gram Sabha consultation and GIS demarcation
👥 Strengthen BMCs	Train locals to prepare People’s Biodiversity Registers (PBRs)
🚫 Regulate Tourism	Eco-certification, waste control, and visitor caps
🌊 Flood Management	Use soft engineering and wetland buffers over embankments
📚 Eco-education	Include Satras and Majuli’s biodiversity in school curriculum

Conclusion

Declaring Majuli as a Biodiversity Heritage Site is not just symbolic—it is a strategic step to conserve a fragile river island that embodies Assam’s ecological richness and cultural depth. If implemented with community participation and strong governance, Majuli can become a model for integrated riverine conservation in India.

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