Assam: Dibrugarh Launches Geo Bag Installation Project to Combat River Erosion

DIBRUGARH: Assam's Power Minister and Dibrugarh MLA Prasanta Phukan, on Wednesday, inaugurated a geo bag installation project to protect local communities from the continued threat of river erosion on the Brahmaputra. The initiative is focused on about 1.7 kilometers of Brahmaputra riverbank in the Nagaghuli area, on the outskirts of Dibrugarh town, where erosion has drastically impacted the residents.

This project started by strategically locating geo bags close to the Mothola tea estate using boats to position the engineered barriers along the vulnerable riverbank. Geo bags, made of a strong combination of woven polyester and polypropylene fabrics, are filled with sand and river silt to create a strong protective barrier against the erosive forces of the river.

Phukan said, "Our objective is to complete this crucial project within 45 days before the onset of monsoon. We are hopeful that this scheme will save the local people from the Brahmaputra's erosion that has long threatened their lives and livelihoods."

The use of geo bags is the modern approach towards riverbank protection, with all the advantages compared to traditional approaches. These environmentally friendly structures function as resistance walls, diverting floodwaters and encouraging the growth of natural vegetation, which is vital for local biodiversity.

This project gives new hope to the residents of Nagaghuli, mostly farmers and tea workers, after years of seeing their lands and properties wear away into the river. Local resident Haren Bhumij said, "This project gives us hope that we might finally have a solution to protect our homes and livelihoods."

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