Soil erosion forces Jorhat’s potters to buy clay, endangers livelihood ahead of Diwali

With Diwali approaching, the kumar community in Bhitor Kokila Kumar village near Nimati Ghat in Jorhat is struggling to find clay for making earthen lamps due to restrictions on collecting clay from the riverbanks caused by erosion. This has created a supply crisis for the artisans who traditionally rely on collecting clay from the Brahmaputra River. The potters are now forced to buy clay from nearby paddy fields, adding financial strain to their already fragile livelihood. Despite the challenges, the potters are dedicated to preserving their heritage and hope for government support. In the meantime, the state government has announced a comprehensive embankment program to address erosion, which may offer some relief to affected communities in the future.