Question : SOIL EROSION DUE TO GANGA RIVER

(a) whether a study has been conducted to look into the problem of soil erosion caused by the Ganga river in Bihar;

(b) if so, the details thereof; and

(c) if not, the reasons therefor?

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF WATER RESOURCES (SMT. BIJOYA CHAKRAVARTY)

(a) Yes Sir.

(b) A number of committees have been constituted by the Government of India in the recent past to study the problem of erosion due to Ganga covering various States including Bihar and suggest remedial measures, the details of which are as follows:


(i) A Committee led by the then Chairman, Ganga Flood Control Commission, Patna (consisting of a Member from Central Water Commission and representative of basin states) was constituted by the Ministry of Water Resources in December, 1999. The Committee visited the critical erosion sites of river Ganga in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and West Bengal for assessment of the problem and suggested necessary remedial measures. The team in its report dated 14th January, 2000 identified various critical erosion sites and recommended some anti-erosion schemes in the above three states for implementation. Accordingly, Government of India approved Centrally Sponsored Scheme, which included schemes as identified by the Committee. The Centrally Sponsored Scheme interalia included 8 schemes for the State of Bihar for which total of Rs. 39.5 crore was allocated as central assistance against which Rs. 34.91 crore has been released to Government of Bihar so far.


(ii) A High Level Expert Committee to study the erosion problem in critical reaches of Ganga between Buxar and Mokama was constituted by Ministry of Water Resources, Government of India in August, 2000 under the Chairmanship of Shri R Ghosh, Former Chairman, Central Water Commission. The Committee submitted its report in June, 2001, which was forwarded to the State Governments for follow up action.


(iii) Another committee under the leadership of Chairman, Ganga Flood Control Commission alongwith members drawn from Ganga basin States was constituted by the Ministry of Water Resources, Government of India in January, 2003 to identify schemes for inclusion in the Centrally Sponsored Scheme namely, “ Critical anti erosion works in Ganga basin States” for implementation in the Xth Plan and also to review the status of implementation of the recommendations of the earlier committees which were constituted to study the Bank erosion problems in the States including Bihar. Consequently a Centrally Sponsored Scheme estimated to cost Rs. 178.85 crore with a central share of Rs. 136.17 crore which includes Rs. 40 crore as central share for Bihar has been approved for implementation during the period 2004- 07.

(c) Does not arise.