DIMAPUR, JULY 13 (MExN): The Department of Irrigation and Flood Control today said that unregulated exploitation of river bed materials in all the major rivers in the foothill plains of Dimapur and adjoining areas has caused severe erosion of river banks, and damaging agricultural lands, habitations, roads & communication and infrastructures.
In a statement through the DIPR, the department said that large boulders in the river beds dissipate the energy of the swift river flow and the water literally tumbles/rolls with its speed reduced. The entire stretch of Dzuza as well as Chathe, Langlong and Khova rivers in the plain sector are now devoid of the any boulders and rendered plain with gravel and pebbles only. Under such conditions with nothing to impede the fast flow of the river, hectares upon hectares of arable lands have been swallowed leaving large tracts of barren flood banks.
“More disaster awaits the urban areas where public tend to encroach right upto the river’s edge and even beyond and restricting the natural drains/rivers. Cycles of heavy rains causing flood conditions have been observed to occur every 10-15 years in the State. Thus, where the river channel has been constricted due to encroachment, the river overflows its banks and causes damages in its wake. No amount of finger pointing or blame game will undo the damage done,” it added. This statement came in light of recent articles published with respect to flood affecting Yeveto village.
The department informed that it has been implementing anti erosion and flood mitigation works under the ‘Flood Management Programme’ within the scope and guidelines and funding of the Ministry of Water Resources, RD&GR, Govt of India. The department, it informed, had undertaken ‘Protection of Rengmapani, K. Hetoi and Hozukhe village areas from erosion of Dzuza River, Dimapur district during 2014-15 with construction of Bed Bars, Spurs and river bank revetment works for protection of erosion affected areas as well as mitigate erosion prone areas for the stretch of Dzuza River from Niuland Bridge upto Rengmapani as well as in other areas.
“According to the Chief Engineer, Irrigation and Flood Control, Er S Kughaho Sema, the protection works have been completed successfully and has served the purpose,” it added.
The department further informed that it had initiated emergency erosion mitigation measures to protect the river banks at Yeveto village area during 2016 as well as 2017, however; inundation of the river bank area due to natural calamity of flood condition is not within the scope of the department. The department has also submitted proposal to the government for consideration of NEC funding for protection works at Yeveto village area.
It lamented that restriction on river bed exploitation, sand extraction or any other regulations on landed property by the State more than often goes unheeded. The onus therefore should be taken up by the Village Councils and NGOs in their own jurisdiction for preemptive measures to avert man made disasters and circumvent the impending hazards, it added.
The departments suggested certain measures towards this— leaving rivers and natural drainage systems in their pristine state as far as possible; imposing restriction in exploitation of river bed materials such as, boulders, gravels, shingles, sand etc; regulation of quarrying or sand harvesting under expert advice; restricting public activity is necessitated, it should be regulated with the advice of experts; restriction of public activity in flood plains; and co-ordination with the district administration and line departments for administrative and technical guidance and taking up remedial measures as per government programmes.
