National Floodplains Zoning Policy

In Context

• Flood Plain Zoning has been recognized as an effective non-structural measure for flood management.

About Flood Plain Zoning

• It is a concept central to flood plain management. This concept recognises the basic fact that the flood plain of a river is essentially its domain and any intrusion into or developmental activity therein must recognise the river’s ‘right of way’. 
• Flood-plain zoning measures aim at demarcating zones or areas likely to be affected by floods of different magnitudes or frequencies and probability levels, and specify the types of permissible developments in these zones, so that whenever floods actually occur, the damage can be minimised, if not avoided.
• The Ministry of Jal Shakti has continuously impressed upon the States the need to adopt flood plain zoning approach. 

Other related initiatives 

• A model draft bill for flood plain zoning legislation was also circulated by the Union Government to all the States. 
  • This bill envisages zoning of flood plain of a river according to flood frequencies and defines the type of use of flood plain. 
  • The states of Manipur, Rajasthan, Uttarakhand and erstwhile State of Jammu & Kashmir had enacted the legislation. However, delineation and demarcation of flood plains is yet to be undertaken. 

• National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) has also time to time advised all states in Ganga basin for demarcation, delineation and notification of river flood plains and removal of encroachment from river bed/floodplain of the river Ganga and its tributaries in adherence to the River Ganga (Rejuvenation, Protection and Management) Authorities Order, 2016.

Source:PIB