Parliament Question: Conservation of Satras in Majuli

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CULTURE LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2493 TO BE ANSWERED ON 03.08.2026 CONSERVATION OF SATRAS IN MAJULI

2493. Shri Gaurav Gogoi:

Will the Minister of CULTURE be pleased to state:

(a) the details of the number of Satras in Majuli that have received central conservation funding during the last five years and the total funds disbursed;

(b) the details of the number of Satras forced to relocate due to erosion and the rehabilitation support provided to each;

(c) whether a dedicated conservation and documentation programme exists for Majuli’s intangible cultural heritage; and

(d) the details of steps taken/being taken by the Government to digitally archive Satra tradition at immediate risk of being lost to flooding? ANSWER MINISTER OF CULTURE AND TOURISM (SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT)

(a) The Satras in Majuli are not centrally protected monuments of ASI. No such details of & conservation funding and numbers of Satras forced to relocate due to erosion is available

(b) with ASI.

(c) There is no single flagship programme dedicated exclusively for Majuli intangible cultural heritage. While, Majuli Cultural Landscape Management Authority (MCLMA) is statutory body under Majuli Cultural Landscape Region Act, 2006 to safeguard both tangible and intangible assets of Majuli.

However, North East Zone Cultural Centre (NEZCC) promotes the intangible cultural heritage of the North Eastern Region through cultural programmes and festivals. Cultural groups from the Satras of Majuli have participated in NEZCC's programmes such as Mahakumbh Mela, Madhavpur Ghed Fair, Krishna-Rukmini Vivah Festival and other national cultural festivals. Under the Guru–Shishya Parampara Scheme, NEZCC has also sponsored a Guru Shishya Parampara Kendra from Garmur Satra, Majuli, for the preservation and transmission of traditional Satra manuscript knowledge.(d) No specific steps have been undertaken to digitally archive Satra tradition at immediate risk. However, photographs and video recordings of cultural performances of the Satras organized by NEZCC are maintained for programme documentation.

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