World Bank to fund river basin management in Assam

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: To reduce the vulnerability to climate-related disasters and improve integrated water resources management in Assam, World Bank will go for long-term funding for river basin management through Assam Integrated River Basin Management Programme.

The State government has already approached World Bank for the programme.

State government sources claim that Dispur will sign an agreement with World Bank to this effect toward the end of this year or early next year.

The Flood and River Erosion Management Agency of Assam, the Government of Assam, the Water Resources Department and the Assam State Disaster Management Authority will implement the Assam Integrated River Basin Management Programme.

The state Cabinet did discuss the programme earlier, leading to the approval of US $ 125 million for phase I of the programme. Phase I of this programme is for, among other things, integrated water management, flood and river-related works of Burhi Dihing and Beki river basins.

Assam faces some of the most daunting water resource settings not found anywhere in the world. Various initiatives are underway through internally funded state department programmes and in cooperation with international partners to address these issues. Despite the immense potential of its water resources, Assam has not been able to either fully manage floods, erosion and wetland degradation or make fuller productive use of these resources. The spectre of climate change that can increase the intensity and frequency of extreme events makes finding new and innovative long-term solutions and responses even more imperative. Therefore, the State Government proposes to involve the World Bank in an integrated approach to river basin management in Assam. The Water Resources Department, Assam, has applied through the Government of India for financing from the World Bank towards the cost of the Assam Integrated River Basin Management Programme.

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