Integrated Development of Reservoirs and Unified Control for Efficient Flood Moderation in Ganga Basin

Abstract

The Ganga River Basin is one of the largest and complex river networks traversing 11 states of India, revered and regarded as lifeline of the region. Ganga River governance is a multidimensional and multidisciplinary task and poses a formidable challenge for administrators, decision makers and water sector professionals, both in central and state government. This paper focuses on one such river governance dimension, i.e. integrated approach, in tackling the recurrent floods. The states are primarily responsible for flood-related issues. The assistance provided by the union government is technical, advisory and promotional in nature. We need to remind ourselves that floods per se do not understand state boundaries. Further, for a large basin like Ganga, the cooperation and synergy among the riparian states on the issue of tackling flood are very vital. In this context, the significance of integrated development and operation of storages in the major subbasins of Ganga river system to mitigate the flood damages is emphasized in this paper, presenting outcome of a study.