Assam's Buridehing erosion swallows thousands of bighas in historic long Tikak village; residents allege official apathy

Thousands of bighas of agricultural land have been swallowed by the Buridehing River in Assam's historic Long Tikak village under the 83 Margherita Legislative Assembly constituency, leaving hundreds of farming families facing an uncertain future amid intensifying riverbank erosion.

Located around 17 kilometres from Margherita town in Tinsukia district, Long Tikak village has witnessed rapid erosion as the Buridehing River continues to eat away at its banks. Residents say the erosion has destroyed vast stretches of farmland, threatening both livelihoods and the existence of the historic settlement.

The worsening situation has also put the village's only Buddha Vihar, a revered religious site built by villagers in 1937 through community contributions, at risk of being washed away if immediate protective measures are not taken.

Long Tikak is home to several indigenous communities, including the Tai Phakey, Tai Ahom, Adivasi, Sonowal Kachari, Moran and Man communities, who have lived in the village for generations.

Residents alleged that they have repeatedly approached Margherita MLA Bhaskar Sharma and the Margherita Co-District administration, seeking permanent anti-erosion measures to protect the village. However, they claimed that no concrete action has been taken so far.

Expressing frustration over the alleged lack of response, the affected villagers have once again appealed through the media to the Assam government, the local MLA and district authorities to urgently implement permanent riverbank protection works before more land, homes and heritage structures are lost to the Buridehing River.

The villagers warned that unless immediate intervention is made, the erosion could wipe out more agricultural land and endanger the centuries-old settlement, forcing many families to abandon their ancestral homes.