High-Level Bihar Meeting Evaluates Flood Plain Zoning Strategies

Patna: A high-level meeting chaired by Bihar Chief Secretary Amrit Lal Meena reviewed the potential and challenges of implementing Flood Plain Zoning (FPZ) as a flood mitigation measure in the state. The discussion, held at the Water Resources Department, included senior officials from departments of Environment, Forest, Climate Change, Urban Development, Housing, and Law.

Principal Secretary of Water Resources, Santosh Kumar Mall, presented the concept of FPZ, which is promoted by the Ministry of Jal Shakti and endorsed by the National Green Tribunal (NGT) as a non-structural flood management approach. FPZ involves categorizing flood-prone areas based on frequency and nature of floods, with specific development restrictions to reduce flood damage and support sustainable growth.

Mall detailed the “Draft Technical Guidelines” issued by the Government of India and their applicability to Bihar, highlighting challenges in implementation. Chief Secretary Meena directed officials to conduct a detailed study with the National Institute of Hydrology and submit the state government’s feedback on the guidelines.

Flood Plain Zoning aims to classify areas affected by varying flood levels and regulate permissible development to minimize risks, ensuring a sustainable approach to flood management in vulnerable regions of Bihar.