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Centre for State Environment Related Issues

Assam ScienceTechnology andEnvironment Council

ENVIS (Environmental Information System) is a project of the Ministry of Environment, Forest &

Climate Change Govt. of India

ISSN 0974-5106

In this issue2-Report on UrbanFloods & Evictions Drive in and around Guwahati City

6-News Clippings

6-Upcoming Events

7-Environment calendar

8-Photographs: Urban Floods & Evictions Drive in and around Guwahati City

An Envis Newsletterwww.asmenvis.nic.in April to June, 2015

ENVISENVISAssamENVISENVISAssamENVISENVISAssamENVISENVISAssam Volume- 13, No- 2

n recent years, Guwahati is experiencing a tremendous growth in terms of concrete structures and random construction of buildings Iin and around the city. The major problem faced by the city is

rampant urban flood which plays havoc in the civil societies every year. The city lacked an efficient drainage system. A large volume of storm water is carried away by Bharalu, Bahini, Mara Bharalu and Basistha rivers along with Deepor Beel and Silsako Beel, two important wetlands acting as major storm water reservoir for the Guwahati city. Altogether these rivers and wetlands play an important role in managing the flood problem of the city area. Due to unscientific construction of civil structures in and around the wetlands and rivers/ rivulets, the flash floods affects and disrupts the total flow of life and stalls all the activities of the city besides threatening the very fragile ecological balance.

One of the major factors resulting in water logging is the gradual siltation of the rivers and wetlands around the area, aggravated by unscrupulous garbage disposal to the existing drainage networks. Siltation results in decreased storage capacity of water by the rivers and wetlands. To address this crucial environmental issue, multi-pronged and divergent restoration activities are being taken by the Guwahati Metropolitan Development Authority (GMDA) and Guwahati Municipal Corporation (GMC) through District Administration of Kamrup (M) by the activities of eviction, de-siltation of the rivers and wetlands and other cleanliness and awareness drives. Last year, a massive eviction drive and de-siltation was carried out by the District Administration with the concerned departments and we could notice that this year the havoc played by artificial flood has gradually decreased to a considerable extent in comparison to the last year. Though Government has tried to tackle this serious issue, a comprehensive plan and strategy will be required to overcome this problem with support from all the shades of society.

The author has attempted to touch upon the factors related to this problem and solution therein. Hope this edition will succeed in spreading awareness amongst the public.

EditorialEditorial

Introduction: Guwahati has within its municipal limits 5 no.s of large static water-bodies viz. Borsola Beel, Sorusola Beel, Silsako Beel, Bondajan Beel and Deepor Beel. These lakes not only serve as a reservoir of rain water, but also support diverse fauna like birds, fishes and other forms of aquatic life. Unregulated urban expansion and rampant encroachment have been virtually killing these wetlands, thereby resulting in water-logging in the city and waning of the avian and aquatic fauna in such wetlands. Even wetlands on the outskirts of the city like the Chopaidong Beel and the Khamranga Beel have borne the brunt of the sordid phenomenon.

Chopaidong Beel, which once spread over an area of approximately 66 Ha, has now been choked by water hyacinth, and its banks are increasingly being occupied by concrete structures. The wetland's rich aquatic bird population has become a thing of the past and its ecosystem is shrinking. The Khamranga Beel is also facing a similar problem, as a significant portion of it was earth-filled a few years back for road construction.

A number of rivulets and streams flow down from the Meghalaya hills in the south to the Brahmaputra through the city; Bharalu, Mora-Bharalu, Bahini and Basistha streams being the important ones. But on account of artificial hindrances created on the water-flow of such rivulets and streams due to encroachment, blockage and habitual dumping of

wastes like thermo-cols, paddy-hatch, plastic wastes and used packets; these natural channels have been increasingly getting clogged and

consequently shrinking in size. Since the natural channels also facilitate storm-w a t e r d r a i n a g e , t h e phenomenon has aggravated the problems of water-logging.

As such, Guwahati has been suffering from heavy urban flooding after every bout of rainfall in and around the city. The State Government in a bid to stem the rot had enacted the Guwahati Water-bodies ( P r e s e r v a t i o n a n d Conservation) Act 2008. This piece of legislation prohibits encroachment of the

notified water-bodies of Guwahati, and has penal provisions of imprisonment upto three years or fine upto 50,000/- or both for people trespassing or encroaching upon such notified water-bodies. All the 5 major water-bodies, viz. Borsola Beel, Sorusola Beel, Silsako Beel and Bondajan Beel and Deepor Beel, have thus been notified. Besides, the District Administration along with the relevant Line Deptt.s has also been taking up de-silting and cleaning of rivers and drains from time to time.

thHowever, things had come to a head on the 26 and th27 of June 2014 when the city experienced

unprecedented level of flooding after a spell of continuous rainfall, which resulted in 9 number of deaths and total disruption of normal public life. The city had in fact come to a virtual standstill during that time.

Report on Urban Floods & Evictions Drive in and around Guwahati CitySazzad Alam, ACS

ENVIS-Assam Newsletter/April to June, 2015

The Author is the Development Officer of Guwahati Metropolitan Development Authority and

Administrative Officer of Assam Science Technology and Environment Council

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3 ENVIS-Assam Newsletter/April to June, 2015

Basic Causes Deciphered: In this regard, it has been deduced conclusively that that has been primarily on account of inadequate storm-water drainage both in terms of capacity as well as of connectivity. Since the city is located on a unique geo-ecological situation with hills and plains interface along with a prominent water-front, and natural water-conduits created by different streams/ rivers/ wetlands play critical role in the city water regime; the unplanned urbanization of the city landscape has disturbed the water-retention capability & flow-dynamics of these water-sources. The raison d'être for such an explanation is that the water level of Brahmaputra River during the entire period of flooding from the 26th June 2014 onwards was well below the Danger Level, thereby inferring that the phenomenon has been solely on account of water-logging engendered by that inadequate natural drainage.

In addition to other factors, the inadequate natural drainage has been primarily due to excessive siltation, deposition of solid wastes, and encroachments of portions of the 4 primary river channels within the city of Guwahati [viz. Bharalu, Mora Bharalu, Basistha and Bahini] and the 5 notified water-bodies of the city [viz. Borsola, Sarusola, Silsako, Bondajan and Deepor Beel]. The phenomenon has resulted in clogging the free flow of storm water and truncating the carrying capacity of the natural channels concerned as well as the natural water-bodies – which used to serve as storage/ detention ponds of excess storm water till they are drained out in due course.

There are a number of water-bodies/ wetlands including primary open drainage channels and the Brahmaputra River within the precincts of Guwahati. But there is no –

? Comprehensive storm-water drainage facility.

? Separate sewer drainage facility.? Wetland development projects being

undertaken (except deepor beel).

Other Factors: Urban Flooding takes place in Guwahati on account of the following other factors as well.

? The hills dotting Guwahati as well as the neighboring hills of Meghalaya south of the city are a major catchment area, wherefrom a significant amount of that silt has been washed down. The holding capacity of the existing natural drainage has been further truncated due to such excessive siltation. This is because the development activities in such areas have resulted in indiscriminate cutting of the hill soil and deforestation therein. Besides, the loss of forest cover and concretization in that area has also resulted in greater run-off of rain-water, and consequently aggravated the flood situation in Guwahati.

It can be noted in this regard that:

? The water rushes down the Meghalaya hills from the South with great velocity because of the gradually diminishing time of concentration on account of the steep slope and low coefficient of run-off due to rapid concretization;

? The water concerned carries sediments [let loose by deforestation and consequent loss of vegetative cover as well as quarrying activities in the hills concerned], resulting in siltation of the beds of the natural channels, rivers and other water-bodies downstream, thereby truncating their water-holding capacity;

? The original flow channels to Brahmaputra have been blocked due to indiscriminate constructions, as a result of which the entire water comes into the city through the Bahini and Basistha rivers and continues to flow through the heart of the city via the Bharalu River;

? The carrying capacity of these channels being inadequate, whenever there is heavy rainfall the water overflows/ spills over the banks of the channels creating urban flooding; and

? Many of the areas of the city being low lying and of bowl shaped contour, the escape of water is tardy and there is no steady discharge to the primary drains, Consequently; water-logging happens extending the duration of urban flooding.

? The natural channels carrying the water and the notified natural water bodies were being encroached,


which resulted in blocking free flow of the storm-waters and also in preventing storage of excess water to ease the flood situation. Therefore, the eviction drives to clear and evict such encroachments of natural channels and water-bodies.

? The drainage system in the city piece-meal and unsystematic and maintained by different Govt. departments and organizations, viz. GMC and PWD (Roads). As such, there is disrupted connectivity of the storm-water drainages; and the profile and gradient of the existing drains is not as per hydrological requirements. Besides, size of the feeder drains is also inadequate.

? The open drains are extremely narrow and also get clogged and littered by garbage disposal. The closed drains are clogged with sedimentation/ siltation [i.e. silt deposition] and their [non-uniform] water carrying capacity has been significantly reduced. Besides, raw sewerage also gets into the drainage system.

? Besides, certain encroachments like building of additional structures like walls; stairs, RCC rooms, etc. have at places blocked the natural outflow of water from the areas concerned even through the artificial gutters/ sewers. But better co-ordination is being achieved to alleviate the problem.

? The elevation of areas like Anil Nagar, Nabin Nagar, Lachit Nagar and Pub Sarania areas is comparatively lower than the surrounding areas of Guwahati, giving them a bowl-shaped topography. This condition has resulted in rolling of flood-waters into these areas. As such, the existing gravity – based drainage system results in water from around the surrounding areas of Guwahati accumulating in the Anil Nagar, Nabin Nagar and Pub Sarania areas.

Sewerage Water Pumps are required therefore to drain out the excess water from that area into the Bharalu River against the forces of gravity. But the existing number of pumps is not adequate, and not at all commensurate with the volume of peak discharge of storm-water.

? Back-flow of River Brahmaputra with the connecting primary drains

? There is no community-based risk reduction and

damage mitigation measures, and all are dependent on governmental/ official intervention.

Highlights of the Eviction: Therefore, the eviction operation was undertaken to clean and clear the drainage channels and water-bodies concerned of silt and solid waste, evict the encroachment, and dredge the channels and water bodies

The areas identified for the eviction drive are the 4 natural channels/ rivers within Guwahati city and its vicinity which are used for storm-water drainage [i.e. Bharalu, Mora Bharalu, Basistha and Bahini], as well as the 5 notified water-bodies under Guwahati Water bodies (Preservation and Conservation) Act 2008 [out of which Silsako Beel was targeted in the first phase].

The Eviction/ Clearing started on the 30th of June 2014 and continued through the month of July 2014. During the eviction process, 2207 structures were removed including 731 pucca structures, 1083 kutcha structures and 393 walls. Waterbody-wise break-up of the removal of unauthorized structures is shown in the figure.

Total Area of Govt. land re-claimed from encroachers in that process is 206 Bighas and 2 Kathas. In order to secure the land cleared [i.e. prevent re-encroachment of the reclaimed area] and effectively increase the water retention capability & flow dynamics of the water-bodies concerned, the area is being dug/ excavated and dredged deep and wide. The river-wise work planned and implemented in this regard are Bharalu River, Mora Bharalu River, Basistha River, Bahini River, Pamohi River, Borsola Beel and Silsako Beel.

Additional Solutions Devised: In addition to the clearing and dredging of natural drainage channels and notified water-bodies, including eviction of encroached Govt. land therein; the other short term, mid-term and long-term strategies being planned to address the problem of flash-flood and water-logging in Guwahati city are as follows.


Short Term:

1) The open drains on both sides of roads shall be cleaned and cleared of siltation and solid garbage dumped therein. The closed drains and the underground drains [beneath the roads or wherever else they exist] shall be opened at the manholes, and similarly cleaned and cleared of siltation and solid garbage present therein. These measures are definitely expected to increase the holding capacity of the drains, and also remove any blockage of water-flow, without any structural intervention which has cost and time involvement.

2) Adequate number of additional sewerage pumps shall be pressed into service in Anil Nagar, Nabin Nagar and Pub Sarania areas so as to pump out the excess water into the Bharalu River. This measure is expected to reduce the water-logging on account of low elevation and consequent effect of gravity.

3) Encroachments blocking the natural outflow of water shall be evicted forthwith, and the cost of carrying out the eviction shall be borne by the encroachers. This measure is expected to reduce obstructions to the natural flow of water.

4) Resident Welfare Societies shall be set up for Anil Nagar, Nabin Nagar, Rajgarh Road and Pub Sarania areas for ensuring better public co-operation and coordination for reducing the effect of floods. The Action shall be facilitated by the Circle Officers concerned.

Mid Term/ Intermediate:

1) System shall be devised for regular cleaning of drains by GMC and PWD (Roads). Silt traps shall be set up at strategic places to effectively take out the silt and other solid garbage from the storm-water, and get them removed manually every now and then.

2) Wherein no removable slabs are present in the drains concerned, or the man-holes are too far apart to be effective; roads are to be dug up at the sides to expose the underground drains, and then cleaned and de-silted. Removable slabs/ man-holes shall be inserted therein after that.

3) Damaged drains shall be repaired and re-

constructed in a systematic manner. The Action shall be taken by the department maintaining the drains concerned – GMC/ PWD (Roads).

4) In the areas wherein gravity cannot ensure outflow of water, sluice gates shall be installed and closed as required – so as to facilitate timely operation of the pumps [maintaining roster round the clock].

5) Steps shall be taken to divert storm-water of at least some areas of Guwahati [e.g. Chandmari] away from the Anil Nagar/ Nabin Nagar areas. Such steps shall involve no major structural change, and shall include measures like effecting alternate connectivity of such storm water.

? short-circuiting the Basistha River to fall into the proposed alternate drainage channel near the Games Village at Lalmati,

? diverting the storm water of the entire Bamunimaidam and Noonmati hill-side to Bondajan Channel and therefrom to Brahmaputra by constructing the proposed storm-water drain under Noonmati Drainage Project after obtaining NOC from the Railway Authority, and

? diverting the Bahini River to fall into Silsako Beel for being discharged via Bondajan Channel into the Brahmaputra.

Long Term:

1) Comprehensive storm-water drainage plan for the city, which has been prepared by the Tahal Consultancy Group, shall be examined in detail for the points of objection raised by MoUD through another Consultancy Group engaged for that purpose. After that, further evaluation with proper ground surveys by the in-house engineers of GMDA and technical experts like IIT professors and consultants may be done if required. Based on that, an effective Urban Drainage Plan shall be evolved.

2) Sewerage system shall be completely separated from the storm-water drainage system. Besides, steps shall be undertaken to remove the solid waste from the storm water drains.

3) Storm-waters from the Meghalaya hills in the

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Animal corridors on NH-37 at KNP to be converted to tunnel road

FROM A CORRESPONDENT

BOKAKHAT, June 9: The animal corridors on National Highway-37 at Kaziranga National Park (KNP) would be converted to tunnel road, said MK Yadav, KNP Director, at a press meet held at Kohora Convention Centre on Tuesday.

For the safety of animal corridors the first tunnel would be constructed from Ranglu to GL Resort at Amguri. The second tunnel would be constructed from Burhapahar Deopani Bridge to Harmoti and the third would be constructed from Harmoti to Bagori. The fourth tunnel would be constructed from Bagori to Haldibari while the fifth tunnel would be constructed at Panbari.

Though the people of Kaziranga and Bokakhat are opposed to the proposal of echo-sensitive zone, the KNP authority has decided to take public opinion in this regard. Yadav said that the proposal for echo-sensitive zone would be published in regional language and public opinion in this regard would be drawn in a prescribed performa to be being distributed among people.

According to him, the proposed echo-sensitive zone would cover 500-metre areas from the KNP border. A set of rules and regulations would also be framed to be abided by the people. He further said that when the tunnels would be completed, the National Highway-37 from Jakhalabondha to Bokakhat would be closed down. For movement of tourists and local people, only vehicles run by electricity and echo-friendly fuel would be allowed. On the other hand, illegal tree felling and stone trading in Karbi Anglong would also be stopped. The KNP Director said that the State Government had already approved this proposal.

Source: The Sentinel, Guwahati, Wednesday, June 10, 2015

NewsClippings Upcoming EventsInternational Conference on Governance in Transition (INSEARCH 2015)

th th18 to 19 December 2015, BARD Comilla, Bangladesh The conference will be a gathering of researchers, academics, experts and practitioners of governance and will serve as an avenue for high level interaction, discussion and debate in a supportive, relaxed and thoughtful atmosphere. Organized by: Center for Administrative Research and Innovation,DU,Stamford University Bangladesh ,GAIN International,Netinsearch and others Contact person: Professor Dr. Aka Firowz Ahmad Website: http://www.insearch2015.com

Samhit'16 - Conference on Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)

th th8 to 9 January 2016, Vadodara, Gujarat, India Conference is aimed to provide a platform for knowledge sharing and discussions among Corporate, NGOs, Development experts, academicians and all other stakeholders to evolve appropriate strategies and approaches to develop CSR for developing countries. Organized by: CSR Cell, Navrachana University Contact person: Rushi Pandya Website: http://nuv.ac.in/csr_conference_2016.html

National Conference on E-waste Management th th13 to 14 January 2016, Jamshedpur,

Jharkhand, India E-waste is becoming a serious environmental concern. The objective of the conference is to invite researchers & companies to present research papers and case studies relating to e-waste and recommend sustainable strategies for e-waste management. Organized by: Centre for Global Management and Responsible Leadership, XLRI, Jamshedpur, India Contact person: Pingali Venugopal Website: http://www.xlri.ac.in/cgmrl



South shall be diverted away from the City along a specially created channel along the National Highway 37 to discharge into the Khonajan rivulet bypassing Deepor Beel, for ultimately discharging into the Brahmaputra.

The study, as delineated by Prof. A.K. Sarma of IIT (Guwahati), shall have to comprise mainly

Survey of the entire stretch, drainage design, need of pumping station and need of silt trap. For that, GMDA shall have to act as an umbrella organisation coordinating with the different Govt. departments, agencies and organisations involved in the exercise. The long term measures shall be initiated under the aegis of GMDA, and affected with the coordination of all the concerned departments and agencies.

Environment CalendarApril 7 World Health Day The World Health Organisation (WHO) was constituted on this day in 1948. In the changing environment around us health is becoming an important issue.

April 18 World Heritage Day - Environment includes not just the natural surroundings but also the manmade ones.

April 22 Earth Day - In 1970 a group of people in the United States of America got together to draw the attention of the world to the problems being caused to the earth due to modernisation. Since then this day has been celebrated all over the world as Earth Day.

May 31 Anti Tobacco Day - The world is now aware of the problems faced by not only the smokers but also the people who inhale the smoke. You can take up an anti smoking campaign in your family or the neighbourhood.

June 5 World Environment Day - On this day, in 1972, the Stockholm Conference on Human Environment was held in Sweden. There was a large gathering from all over the world and people expressed their concerns for the increasing environmental problems.

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Photographs: Urban Floods & Evictions Drive in and around Guwahati City

ENVIS Centre Assam Team

Coordinator: Mr. Jaideep BaruahSenior Programme Officer: Ms. Manisha SarmahInformation Officer: Mr. Samiran KalitaIT Assistant: Mr. Utpal Das

ENVIS Centre-Assam on Status of Environment and its Related Issues publishes ENVIS-Assam Newsletter on quarterly basis with the support from the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Govt. of India. This newsletter is aimed at disseminating state related Environmental information at large.

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Chief Editor: Dr. Arup Kr. Misra, Editor: Jaideep Baruah; Associate Editors: Manisha Sarmah, Samiran KalitaNewsletter Design & page layout: Ms. Manisha Sarmah Published and Circulated by Assam Science Technology & Environment Council, Bigyan Bhawan, G.S. Road, Guwahati-5, Assam Phone: 0361-2464619/21, Fax: 0361-2464617, E-mail: [email protected], Printed at Aman Udyug Private Ltd. Christian Basti, Guwahati-781005

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