Author(s)

N. Sharma

Abstract

The Brahmaputra and Barak River Basins are, along with the Ganges River, major parts of the Meghna Basin. The Brahmaputra and Barak River system covers more than half of the area of the north eastern region of India and has particular opportunities for sustainable development, as well as distinct challenges. Located in the high rainfall zone of India, the Brahmaputra and Barak Basins feature a water resources potential much above the requirement, unlike the rest of India, where water shortages are alarmingly escalating. A major ordeal is the frequent floods and the strong bank erosion, affecting the entire socio-economic scenario of the region, and also disturbing the ecological balance, in addition to the loss of life and properties. Efforts have been made (and are in progress) to deal with these problems, but the scale of the challenge is overwhelming.

This paper describes approaches to reducing the menace of flood and bank erosion through proper planning, community participation, and application of contemporary technologies, for identification of needs and opportunities, and for understanding the governing cause-effect relationships and the related management options. Hereby, the basis will be extended for timely and appropriate decisions on responsive as well as pro-active development, in support of the region’s socio-economic prosperity and environmental health in general, and improved disaster resilience in particular.

Keywords

Brahmaputra, Barak, disaster resilience, sustainability, FREMAA, flash floods, wind-borne sand, NDMA, climate change, community participation