ZONING OF FLOOD PLAINS

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Context

The issue of floods in the Punjab region of India and the importance of flood plain zoning as a strategy to manage and mitigate flood impacts.

Details

• The Punjab region has been grappling with prolonged floods, disproportionately affecting villages along rivers Sutlej, Beas, Ravi, and Ghaggar.
• Villages located in these sensitive flood plains experience severe damage during flood events.

Importance of FloodPlains

• Flood plains naturally expand and contract with river flow variations.
• A flood plain is an area adjacent to a river that gets flooded during river swells.
• Well-maintained flood plains act as natural defenses against inland flooding.
• They also play a role in groundwater recharge and maintaining the water table.

Need for Identification and Zoning

• Identifying flood plains is vital for effective flood management.
• Topographical features, including oxbow lakes, help experts identify flood plains.
• Flood plain zoning regulates land use to minimize flood damage during actual flood events.

Zoning Guidelines and Regulations

• National Disaster Management Authority guidelines prescribe zoning rules.
• Critical installations like defense installations, industries, hospitals, etc., should be situated above flood levels corresponding to a 100-year frequency.
• The National Green Tribunal mandates a no-construction zone of 500 m from a river's central lining.

Punjab's Situation

• Punjab lacks effective flood plain zoning despite NGT's directives.
• Flood plain encroachments continue due to lack of proper regulations.
• Villages along Sutlej, Beas, Ravi, and Ghaggar rivers remain at perennial risk due to encroachments.

Challenges and Risks

• Encroachments and mismanagement lead to non-suitable construction and concretization.
• Non-suitable constructions exacerbate flood impacts, pushing floods further inland.
• Concretization prolongs the subsiding of floodwaters and affects flood plains' health.

Impact on People and Environment

• The absence of zoning poses risks to people, property, and floodplains.
• Floods damage soil fertility and quality, affecting the overall health of flood plains.
• Multiple districts along the rivers in Punjab are at risk due to the absence of zoning.

Nationwide Issue

• Flood plain zoning is a challenge across the country.
• Only four states, including Manipur, erstwhile Jammu & Kashmir, Rajasthan, and Uttarakhand, have adopted zoning in principle.
• Implementation of zoning regulations has been inadequate even in these states.

Advocacy and Activism

• Environmental activists and NGOs in Punjab demand flood plain zoning.
• However, their efforts have not yielded significant results so far.

About Zoning of Flood Plains

• Zoning of flood plains involves designating areas along rivers and water bodies based on flood susceptibility.
• These designated zones come with regulations to guide land use and development activities for flood risk mitigation.
• The primary aim is to minimize flood-induced damage and ensure safety for people and property in flood-prone regions.

Zoning Process

• Flood plain area is divided into distinct zones, each with specific restrictions and permissible uses.
• Zone demarcation is based on flood likelihood and severity assessments.
• Regulations within zones determine allowable construction types, land uses, and elevation requirements.

Hierarchical Zoning Categories

• High Hazard Zone:
  • Located closest to water bodies.
  • Prone to frequent and severe flooding.
  • Often restricts or prohibits construction to safeguard lives and property.
• Moderate Hazard Zone:
  • Experiences less frequent and severe flooding.
  • Limited construction might be allowed with elevation and design stipulations.
• Low Hazard Zone:
  • Lower risk of flooding.
  • Development activities permitted under specific safety-focused guidelines.

Addressing Setbacks

• Regulations may define setback distances from water bodies.
• Setbacks determine how far structures should be from water's edge to reduce flood impact.
• These guidelines consider flood frequencies, historical records, and community vulnerabilities.

Objective of Flood Plain Zoning

• Striking a balance between human development and environmental protection.
• Ensures construction and land use align with flood risk considerations.
• Aims to minimize property damage, loss of life, and economic consequences of floods.

Benefits and Implications

• Mitigates flood-induced damage in flood-prone regions.
• Enhances safety for inhabitants and property.
• Supports economic resilience by reducing flood-related losses.

Guided by Scientific Insights

• Zoning regulations based on scientific assessments.
• Utilizes flood frequency data, historical records, and community vulnerabilities.
• Ensures informed decisions to manage flood risks effectively.

Safeguarding Natural Functions

• Flood plain zoning preserves natural floodplain functions.
• Balances development goals with the maintenance of ecological systems.

https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/why-zoning-of-flood-plains-is-important-8913109/