Q.7 Discuss the social and economic impacts of Brahmaputra river erosion in Assam.
24,Oct 2024
Posted By : SPM IAS Academy
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The Brahmaputra River is both a lifeline and a source of devastation for Assam. While it sustains livelihoods through agriculture and water resources, its annual floods and rampant erosion cause significant social and economic challenges. Erosion along the Brahmaputra displaces thousands, destroys fertile lands, and severely impacts infrastructure, making it one of the most critical environmental issues in the region.
Social and Economic Impacts of Brahmaputra River Erosion in Assam:
A. Displacement and Loss of Livelihood:
The Brahmaputra River and its tributaries cause severe land erosion, displacing thousands of families annually. Over the past six decades, Assam has lost more than 4,000 sq. km of land due to erosion. This displaces approximately 7,000 families every year, resulting in significant loss of livelihood as agricultural land is washed away. Farming communities, especially in districts like Dhubri, Barpeta, and Dibrugarh, face severe economic challenges as their primary source of income is destroyed.
According to the Rashtriya Barh Ayog (National Flood Commission), the Brahmaputra and its tributaries account for nearly 40% of the total flood-prone area of India, exacerbating erosion and displacement.
B. Impact on Agriculture:
The continuous erosion of fertile lands along the Brahmaputra severely affects agricultural productivity, which is the backbone of Assam’s rural economy. The loss of arable land to erosion reduces the state’s agricultural output, particularly rice and other crops, increasing food insecurity. A study estimates that about 8,000 hectares of agricultural land are lost annually due to river erosion, further impoverishing rural communities.
C. Infrastructure Damage:
Erosion along the Brahmaputra has caused significant damage to roads, embankments, and public infrastructure, leading to recurring costs for repairs and rebuilding. The Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA) reports frequent breaches in embankments during floods, which further intensify erosion, leading to the destruction of schools, hospitals, and other critical facilities.
D. Environmental Degradation:
The erosion also leads to loss of biodiversity as large swathes of forested and wetland areas are washed away. This impacts the state’s ecological balance, reducing the habitats of important species and increasing human-animal conflicts, particularly with elephants and tigers that inhabit the floodplains.
Way Forward:
A. Rashtriya Barh Ayog and Expert Committees:
The Rashtriya Barh Ayog recommends afforestation, river training works, and construction of embankments to reduce the speed of the Brahmaputra’s flow, minimizing erosion. The committee also advocates for integrated basin management to address both erosion and flooding.
The Brahmaputra Board, under the Ministry of Jal Shakti, has been working on embankment strengthening and channel stabilization to mitigate erosion and flooding.
B. Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction:
In line with the Sendai Framework, Assam has adopted strategies to reduce disaster risk through community participation and early warning systems. This includes enhancing flood forecasting and mapping erosion-prone zones, which is critical for planning mitigation efforts.
The Assam government is implementing riverbank stabilization projects and encouraging disaster-resilient infrastructure to minimize the impacts of erosion.
C. ISRO’s Role:
ISRO plays a key role in remote sensing and satellite monitoring of erosion-prone areas. Satellite data helps track changes in river patterns and land degradation, enabling authorities to take proactive steps. Flood forecasting models based on ISRO’s satellite data have improved disaster preparedness in Assam, helping mitigate the damage caused by erosion and floods.
Brahmaputra river erosion has severe social and economic consequences for Assam, affecting displacement, agriculture, and infrastructure. While recommendations from the Rashtriya Barh Ayog and modern tools like ISRO’s satellite monitoring are being implemented, integrating these with the Sendai Framework’s principles on disaster risk reduction is crucial to building a more resilient future for Assam.
