Experts moot measures to tame voracious Brahmaputra

By our Staff Reporter

GUWAHATI, Nov 22: Experts brainstorm and mooted diverse means to check erosion by rivers at a two-day semir at NEDFi House in the city that began today. Such a brainstorming session is the need of the hour in Assam where the voracious Brahmaputra keeps on gobbling up acres.

If Prof. Shariful Islam, BUET, Bangladesh spoke on bio-engineering techniques using Vetiver system for slope stabilization, Gearge Koshy, principal consultant, Earth and Water, Cheni and Shantanoo Bhattacharya highlighted the application of bio-mimic systems to control bank erosion. While a critical review on prevention of river bank erosion by using plant and vegetation was given by Prof. Arup Kumar Sarma of IIT Guwahati, Hidetoshi Yokota, general mager of Bridgetone Corporation, Japan and Dr. Shigeti Endo, Bridgetone Corporation, Japan gave a presentation on disaster prevention challenge with cascading recycle application of tire derived geo-materials. A presentation on indigenous technology and recycle materials-aided cost-effective erosion protection measures was given by Prof. Hemanta Hazarika, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan. Prof. Arvind Phukan, former professor, Alaska University, the USA and consulting engineer, gave a presentation on river bank erosion and restoration using bio engineering or non-structural techniques in the Brahmaputra.

The participants from various line departments like Water Resource, Soil Conservation, PWD, Environment and Forest, Brahmaputra Board, Geological Survey of India, FREMMA, North East Space Application Centre and NGOs attended the workshop. Padmashri Jadav Molai Payeng, an eminent environmental activist who is popularly known as the ‘Forest Man of India’ was also present to share his opinion and knowledge on river bank erosion and mitigation strategies.

The workshop will conclude on November 23.

The workshop has been organized with the objective of understanding the causes, factors, situations responsible for Brahmaputra river bank erosion hazard, to alyse the success/ limitation of present erosion control mechanism implemented by Water Resources Department/ Brahmaputra Board and other organizations and to alyse the best practices on river bank erosion control using bio-engineering techniques through case studies/field experiences. This workshop is the outcome of the interest shown by State Chief Minister Sarbanda Sonowal who directed the ASDMA to explore low-cost eco-friendly measures for erosion control so that the same can be implemented by the State Government for mitigating the river bank erosion problem of the Brahmaputra and its tributaries.

The workshop was graced by Assam Chief Secretary VK Pipersenia, ASDM CEO Depak Kumar Sarma and other high officials. ASDMA explored the possibility of roping in institutions of tiol and intertiol repute who have demonstrated effective intervention in addressing river bank erosion problem.