The Ministry of Jal Shakti recently reported to the Rajya Sabha that the Indian states of Manipur, Rajasthan, Uttarakhand and Jammu & Kashmir had implemented the National Floodplains Zoning Policy. However, it was pointed out that the necessary delimitation and demarcation of flood plains is still pending. The Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) also presented a report highlighting the preparedness and response to floods in Kerala, emphasizing the state’s need for flood plain zoning legislation.
Flood Plain Zoning: An Effective Measure for Flood Management
Flood Plain Zoning is seen as a non-structural measure for effective flood management. The primary aim of this concept is to regulate land use in the flood plains to minimize potential damage during flood events. This involves determining developmental activities’ locations and extents such that damage is minimized. It also involves imposing limitations on developments in both unprotected and protected areas — banning development in specific areas of the unprotected zone and only allowing activities in the protected areas that can withstand flood damage.
Evaluating India’s Vulnerability to Floods
India faces high risk and vulnerability to floods with 40 million hectares of its land prone to floods. On average annually, floods affect 75 lakh hectares of land, cause loss of 1600 lives and damage crops, houses, and public utilities worth Rs. 1805 crores.
About the Model Bill for Flood Plain Zoning
The Model Bill for Flood Plain Zoning proposes provisions about flood zoning authorities, surveys, delineation of flood plain area, usage prohibitions of the flood plains, compensation, and the removal of obstructions to ensure free water flow. It aims to replace low-lying area dwellings with parks and playgrounds, as the absence of human settlements in these areas would reduce loss of life and property during floods.
Challenges Encountered in Implementing Floodplain Management
The states’ resistance to applying floodplain management aspects, including potential legislation, has been a significant obstacle. This reluctance primarily arises from population pressure and the lack of alternative livelihood systems. The states’ tepid response to enforcing floodplain regulations has led to an increase in unapproved encroachments into the flood plains.
Understanding the Related Constitutional Provisions and Other Measures
Flood control falls under the state government’s purview based on the inclusion of drainage and embankments in entry 17 of List II (State List). Additionally, floodplain zoning is under the state government’s ambit as it pertains to land along riverbanks, which are state subjects under entry 18 of List II. Although flood control and mitigation are not directly mentioned in any of the three legislative lists in the seventh schedule Constitution, the central government can issue advisories and prescribe guidelines. The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) issued guidelines in 2008 for states regarding floodplain zoning as a meas to mitigate floods.
Way Forward
To effectively curb the significant damage caused by annual floods, both central and state governments need to develop a long-term plan beyond building embankments and dredging. This plan should involve an integrated basin management plan that engages all river-basin sharing countries and Indian states.