(a) whether the Government is aware that certain rivers originating from mountains are causing soil erosion in the country particularly Valmiki Nagar region resulting into heavy demage to crops and roads, if so, the details and the extent thereof;
(b) whether the Government proposes to take any steps to check soil erosion caused by such rivers; and
(c) if so, the details thereof?
THE MINISTER OF FOR WATER RESOURCES, RIVER DEVELOPMENT AND GANGA REJUVENATION
(DR. SANJEEV KUMAR BALYAN)
(a) to (c) Yes, Madam. The Government is aware of the soil erosion caused by rivers. Erosion and deposition of silt is a natural process in alluvial rivers. Rivers carry, pick up and drop silt load as per their regime conditions i.e. discharge in the river, river slope, morphology, nature of silt etc.
The schemes for flood control & anti-erosion works etc. are formulated and implemented by concerned States as per their priority. The Union Government supports the efforts of the States by providing technical advice and also promotional financial assistance for management of floods in critical areas. The Government of India had launched Flood Management Programme (FMP) for providing central assistance to States for works related to river management, flood control, anti-erosion, drainage development, anti-sea erosion, flood proofing works, restoration of damage flood management works etc. A total of 47 schemes of the State of Bihar have been included under Floor Management Programme during XI and XII Plan at an estimated cost of Rs.1818.05 crore. An amount of Rs. 723.18 crore during XI plan and Rs. 184.64 crore during XII plan has been released to the State of Bihar under Flood Management Programme. A total of seven projects of West Champaran district on river Gandakhave been included under Flood Management Programme and an amount of Rs.71.78crore has been released to Government of Bihar.
The Gandak High Level Standing Committee (GHLSC) under chairmanship of Chairman, Ganga Flood Control Commission visits the flood affected area every year after the flood season to recommend necessary flood protection measures/steps to be taken by the Government of Uttar Pradesh in Uttar Pradesh portion and by Government of Bihar in Bihar portion on Western Gandak Embankment to prevent floods and soil erosion due to river Gandak.
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