Chandan Mahanta
Professor, Department of Civil Engineering
Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati
Brahmaputra Basin:
On policy perspectives and institutional processes
Brahmaputra Basin in India:
Dynamic unstable landscape;
People disadvantaged, less educated;
Political and social marginality;
Small ethnic minority;More vulnerable to
negative consequences
• Drainage pattern runs in diametrically opposite
• Drains diverse environments
• Himalayas considered to be younger in age
• In no other river bank erosion hazard is so critical
Brahmaputra: unique river system
According to Chinese Academy of Sciences (2012), originated at the Angsi glacier, the Brahmaputra is 3,848 kilometers long, and its drainage area is 712,035 square kilometers.
Steep slope of the river in hilly areas and sudden decrease in slope near Pasighat in Arunachal Pradesh compel Brahmaputra to assume a braided pattern, increasingly prominent further downstream.
Constraints of developmentAverage per capita income in Brahmaputra floodplains 30 percent lower
than national average
Geographical disadvantagePartial and uncertain accessibility of water resource
database resulting in lack of adequate scientific planningWater resource related institutional arrangements are
bureaucratically complex and/or incompleteMost projects are national government dependent Project blueprints not developed through riparian
consultation and inter-state dialogue
00.5
1
1.52
2.53
3.54
4.5
1953
1956
1959
1962
1965
1968
1971
1974
1977
1980
1983
1986
1989
1992
1995
1998
2001
2004
Year
Are
a af
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mha)
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-2
0
2
4
6
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12
14
Pop
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ffec
ted (
m).
Area affected Population affected
Flood damage in Assam plains during 1953-2006
Flood and Erosion hazards
Effective development and management options
Flood Management- not flood protection alone
Improvement of existing measuresCombination of various measures Flood plain zoning, flood proofing,
flood forecastingDue importance to high sediment
componentProper implementation of advanced
technologies, e.g., Geo-synthetic materials, Amphibian dredger, hydraulic driving method
Local ownership and proactivemaintenance in safety and
sustainability of any protection infrastructure
Particulars Quantity
Embankment
a)Brahmaputra
b)Tributaries
1016 Km
2681Km
Anti-erosion/ Town Protection Scheme 533 Nos
Drainage Channel 599 Km
Sluices (major) 56 Nos
Raised Platform 3 Nos
Flood management works in the Brahmaputra basin(WRD, Govt. of Assam, 2004)
Multi purpose damsFlood storage as integral part of
hydropower projectsCommunity involvement in decision makingEnvironmental dimensions International transmission routesDam safetyPreference on small/mini/micro/pico hydel projects in a targeted mannerStructural modification, change in location and combination of both to minimize negative impacts of large hydropower projects.
Adaptation to climate change
Policies and institutional mechanism integrating different departments
Focus on short term actions for adaptation and mitigation
Linkage of climate change adaptation and mitigation strategies with socio - economic
and institutional set up of the region
An over-arching climate polic ydimension for the entire basin
Simulated average change in rainfall (mm/day) for 2071–2079 under SRES A2 scenarios from
PRECIS relative to baseline (1961–1990)
Simulated average change in rainfall (mm/day) for 2071–2079 under SRES B2 scenarios from
PRECIS relative to baseline (1961–1990)
Drinking Water
Sparse information on water quality
Fluoride and arsenic contamination in major parts of the basin
Seek alternatives before it is too late to cope with serious situations
Augmentation of groundwater aquifers by surface water
Economic activity is projected to increase with generation of additional 27,000 jobs by 2020 and overall projected rate of economic return on investments in inland water transport is around 15 % (World Bank, 2007)
Cost-benefit analysis
Integration of water transport into overall development picture,
Increased navigational cooperation with Bangladesh
Local-level infrastructure for community water transport on secondary rivers
Navigation
Regional level ‘big picture’ assessment of water resources development scenario in the region
• No holistic assessment so far• Regional and global linkage missing• Outlook of the regional governments must change• Synergy amongst departments and agencies• Environmental and tectonic knowledge• Examine potential of different options for industrial,
economic, agricultural development vis-à-vis water• Knowledge base as a tool for regional consensus• Economic efficiency as a major consideration in water
resource development and flood/ erosion mitigation
Overcome geopolitical challengesAppropriate policies, participatory processes, inter-state and international cooperation Specified roles of institutions and stakeholder groups Management tools that involves regulation, accountability, monitoring and enforcement (ADB, 2005)
Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM)
Towards renewed policy
Provision of data by concerned departments and sharing of data among riparian states as well as countries for collective endeavour
Country level discussion and consultation
Strengthened mechanism for transparency, public participation, accountability
Environmental flow maintenance, water rights..
Greater thrust in water hazard management
Increased accountability by agencies
Better centre-state coordination
Inclusion of the community
Development of organized framework with strong institutional mechanism
Conclusions
An umbrella organization at the basin level covering all riparian states and countries
Holistic approach with techno-socio-managementCollective strength of local, national and
international expertise to overcome hazards and put this unparalleled resource into best service of
humanity.