Protecting floodplains is the need of the hour

Source: The post is based on the article “Protecting floodplains is the need of the hour” published in “The Hindu” on 14th September 2023.

Syllabus: GS3- Disaster and disaster management

News: The author discusses the increasing problem of floods in India due to climate change and poor land management. Many areas are being constructed upon, reducing floodplain space. Other countries use better flood management strategies, which India could learn from. Strong political action is needed to protect the environment and prevent further disasters.

Why are floods becoming more frequent in India?

Climate Change Impact: Due to global climate shifts, there’s an increase in intense and frequent floods in India. For instance, the 2013 floods in Uttarakhand, the 2014 floods in Kashmir, and the 2015 floods in Chennai highlight the growing problem.

Rapid City Expansion: Cities in India are expanding quickly and without proper planning. This haphazard growth disregards the natural topography, increasing flood risks. The devastating Chennai floods in 2015 are a prime example of this.

Occupation of Floodplains: Building on floodplains reduces the river’s capacity to contain water. Encroachments, especially in regions like Uttarakhand, contribute to increased flood risks. The 2013 floods in Uttarakhand were partly due to such activities.

Environmental Neglect: While India has protective environmental laws, they aren’t always enforced. Encroachments on floodplains, like in Chennai, underline the negative impact of this oversight.

What are the initiatives taken by India to handle floods?

Disaster Management Act, 2005: India primarily relies on this Act to address flood management, although it’s designed to handle multi-hazard risks and doesn’t focus exclusively on floods.

National Green Tribunal Directive: After the 2013 Uttarakhand floods, a 2015 directive from the National Green Tribunal barred construction within 200 m along the banks of the Ganga to protect floodplains.

Uttaranchal River Valley (Development and Management) Act, 2005: This Act intends to regulate mining and construction in river valleys. However, violations are common, impacting the environment.

Central Policy Measures: While India has central policies for floodplain protection, they are non-binding on states, leading to inconsistent enforcement.

What should be done?

Embrace Flood Risk Management: Adopt strategies from countries like Germany, the U.K., and the Netherlands that focus on flood risk management rather than just flood protection.

Regulate Construction on Floodplains: Strictly implement directives like the one from the National Green Tribunal, which barred construction within 200m along the Ganga banks.

Ensure Environmental Impact Assessments: Proper evaluations must be conducted before permitting constructions, especially in flood-prone areas.

Holistic Climate Change Adaptation: Integrate various laws concerning land use, water body preservation, and environmental impacts into a coherent strategy.