'Taming the male river sans study is impossible'

Roundtable session brainstorms on riparian life and Brahmaputra

By our Staff Reporter

GUWAHATI, March 4: Noted geographer Prof. Abani Kumar Bhagawati of Gauhati University has said that without studying it deep taming the Brahmaputra is an impossible proposition. He has also said that while going to tame the river one has to keep it in mind the valuable riparian culture and ture should not be desecrated.

Banikanta Kakati Research Institute under KK Handique State Open University conducted a brainstorming roundtable conference on ‘Banpanir Soite Sohawasthan: Ek Bikalpa Chinta’ (A Symbiotic Life with Floods: An Altertive Thought) in the city on Sunday.

Dr. Arup Kumar Sarma of IIT-Guwahati gave a detailed account on erosion and floods caused by the Brahmaputra in the State. He also spoke on the steps taken by IIT-Guwahati to prevent erosion and landslide in the State.

Senior river expert and retired professor of Dibrugarh University, Dr. Jogendra th Sarma spoke on as to how the Brahmaputra changes its course and leaves an imprint on the geographical aspects in its basins. He also made mention as to how neighbouring Bangladesh, a riparian culture and tion, has adopted themselves with river. He also said that he had submitted a report on erosion by the Brahmaputra with the help of Asian Development Bank to the State Government. The session was attended, among others, by representatives of the Axam Xahitya Xabha (AXX).

Earlier, KK Handique State Open University vice chancellor Dr. Hitesh Deka said: “This is a big problem that seeks an immediate solution.” Banikanta Kakati Research Institute Director Prof. Abu sar Syed Ahmed said that the round-table conference was held with a view to finding a solution to the problem.