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South -Asian Journal of Multidisciplinary Studies (SAJMS) ISSN:2349-7858:SJIF:2.246:Volume 3 Issue 6

THE BRAHMAPUTRA: AS A BLESSING OR A CURSE TO THE AGRARIAN

SOCIETY OF ASSAM

Dikshita kakoti

Masters in Economics

Abstract

Among the largest rivers on earth in terms of discharge and sediment, Brahmaputra is

intrinsic to the economic life in Assam. Brahmaputra has also been at the core of Assam

folklore inspiring literature, art and music often for leaving behind a wave of destruction

during the monsoon months. It was one of India’s major waterfalls until India’s partition and

independence in 1947.Approximately 25,000 villages and engaging more than 60% of the

total population, the Assam economy is agriculture based economy.so the fertile river valley

is the Assam’s lifeline, nurturing its topography and culture of Assam. The river takes its

name after entering ‘’Sodia” onwards and flows majestically in Assam valley for a distance

of about 720 k.m. In upper Assam also the Brahmaputra serves as an excellent inland water

transport route but now a days people of Assam address this ‘moving ocean’ as a river of

sorrow because the flood cause by Brahmaputra in Assam valley effects on the average area

of 8 to 10 lakh square kilometre .There are several factors responsible for this including

earthquake of 1950.Hundreds of villages along the river Brahmaputra and its tributaries get

submerged and get cut off. This paper would like to draw attention on the both positive and

negative impact of the mighty Brahmaputra on the agrarian society and culture of Assam

and ways and means to avoid the negative impact caused by it with the help of government

initiatives. At the same time ways to nourish the usefulness that people of Assam able to

take from the fertile river valley of Brahmaputra.

Key words: River, flood, agrarian society, government initiative for flood control.

Introduction:

The Brahmaputra Basin in India covers the states of Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Meghalaya,

Nagaland and Sikkim. Its 2880 km length covers three countries namely China, India and

Bangladesh .It has a drainage area of 5800 sq. km of which nearly 50% lies in China, 33% in

India, 8% of each in Bangladesh and Bhutan. But in Assam two tributaries such as Dibang


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River and Lohit River have joined Brahmaputra one after another and converted

Brahmaputra into a very wide river. At certain places it is wide as 10 kms. Brahmaputra

flows down in Assam from east to west over a length of approximately 650 km. As the River

passes through the valley of Assam many Himalayas streams including Subansiri, kaneng,

Bharali, Dhansiri, Manas,Champamati,Salralbhanga and Sonkosh river have joined

Brahmaputra and made it too mighty. The river has been divided into two channels between

Dibrugarh and Lakhimpur districts. In the northern side it is known as Kherkutia and in its

south it is known as Brahmaputra channel. After going down about 100 km these two

channels joined together to create the Majuli Island and which is the 2ndlargest river Islands

in the world. Thus the river passes through Meghalaya to finally merge with Bay of Bengal

through Bangladesh. In the course of its journey, the Brahmaputra receives as many as 22

major tributaries at Tibet, 33 in India and in Bangladesh with an average annual discharge of

19,830 cubic meters per second at its mouth, the Brahmaputra rank 4th among the large

rivers of the world. The river is the lifeline of the people of Assam. Without Brahmaputra

and its tributaries the Assam become a desert definitely.

Objective:

The Brahmaputra delivers the vital nutrients to the plains of Assam but at the same Assam is

the worst sufferer because of flood and erosion cause by this truly adversely affected the

society of Assam. It have also devastatingly affected the wildlife of the state. That is why the

state and the central government need to take a clear look at the flood situation in

kaziranga.

This paper is to highlight:

1)Both positive as well as negative impact of the river Brahmaputra on the society of

Assam.

2)Potentiality that the people of Assam can able to get from the mighty Brahmaputra.

3)Ways through which such kind of problems will be sorted out with the help of government

and local inhabitants.

Methodology:

The study has been undertaking by the means of collecting the secondary data from the

govt. publications, Directorate govt. of Assam and their websites such as the Economic

survey 2014-15 of the govt. of Assam, Assam year book 2015, statistical handbook Assam,

Department of fishery, Govt. of Assam, Directorate of Inland transport Assam, Water


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resource department, planning and development department, Govt. of assam, NEEPCO etc

along with various journals.

The positive impact of the River Brahmaputra which can be considered as the blessing to

the people of Assam:

“The Brahmaputra is a wealth of Assam, without Brahmaputra Assam will become desert”

Being a historical state which has uniqueness in his history, geography and culture, Assam

is the gateway of the North East India. It has a beautiful fertile land, splendid hills and

valleys and equally benevolent and awesome Brahmaputra River.

1.Positive impact on livelihood as well as agriculture and allied activities :The river

Brahmaputra creates various livelihood opportunities for the millions of the people of

Assam in various fields like cultivation, fishing, tourist, operators and employees that are

engaged in ferry service etc. About 61% of total population is engaged in Agricultural

activities. Annually irrigable land constitutes 65% of the gross cropped area and these

irrigation facilities are created by the river Brahmaputra and its tributaries. Along with this,

flood cause by excessive rainfall increases the soil fertility of the cultivable land which will

increases the productivity of agriculture.

a.Fishery: In lower Brahmaputra basin, the flood plan wetlands are one of the most

productive ecosystemof assam. The shallow and nutritionally rich habitets offer a variety of

colourful ornamental fishes. Out of 217 fish species from Assam ,50 species have the

potential ornamental value.After all of these, the people of Assam are fond of fishes and the

rural people are meeting their requiremens by catching fish from the water bodies.This is

the tradition of assambut not so much developed upto the desired level.This sector had

contributed 2.0% to the GSDP (Economic Survey 2014-15). Although the State fishery

department has adopted the number of stepts for the scientific fish farming through

awareness,training, government support and subsequent bank linkage for sustainable

development of the fishery sector.The following table shows the Trend of fish seed

production and fish production.

Table1: Trend of fish seed production and fish production

Year Fish seed production (in million ton)

Fish production(in lakh ton)

2007-08 3206 1.90

2008-09 3429 2.06 2009-10 3326 2.18


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2010-11 4264 2.32

2011-12 4490 2.43 2012-13 4364 2.55

2013-14 4546 2.67 2014-15 5799 2.82

2015-16 5995 2.97 Source: Govt. of Assam, DEPT. of Fishery, Dispur.

2.Positive impact on biodiversity:Flood season is always considered to be a dreaded period

for Kaziranga National Park but the role played by flood in maintaining the park ecosystem is

also very important.Therefore, regulated flood and its quick recession is no doubt beneficial

for the ecosystem as well as related biodiversity of the park in many ways.

a.Maintenance of Vegetation Status and Soil Formation:

The annual floods coupled with the annual burning of the grassland are the two most

important and major factors, which influence the vegetation of the park. Flood is

responsible for creating different site conditions and soil formations, preferred by different

types of vegetation.

b.Cleaning of Water Hyacinth and Better Conditions for Birds:

The beels and other waterlogged areas are generally carpeted with water hyacinth, which is

unpalatable for herbivores of the park. The cover of water hyacinth helps water bodies

becoming shallow and harms the existing wetland ecosystem. The floodwater also helps in

washing away the water hyacinth from beels, streams and nallahs, which grow into a very

thick, impenetrable cover. After the flood, the fresh water with very few water hyacinth

gives way to the water birds like ducks, herons, pelicans and so on. After floods, the healthy

stock of fish in the beels or other water bodies helps in providing food to the bird

community of the park.

c.Replenishment of Beels and Other Water Bodies:

Kaziranga National Park is a suitable habitat for Indian one horned rhinoceros due to its

wetland ecosystem and presence of necessary conditions. The water of thevarious beels of

Kaziranga National Park becomes very shallow during dry season, which affect the habitat

suitability of rhino as well as other water loving animals. Annual flood replenishes the dry

water bodies and streams with high amount of water and makes it again suitable for these

animals.

2.Positive impact of the brahmaputra on infrastructure (water transport and power) :It

has contributing for the development of bothpower generation and water transport system

in Assam which is discussed below:


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a. Inland water transport: The brahmaputra has 891 km navigable length of waterway from

Sodia to Dhubri . The Sodia-Dhubri stretch of the Brahmaputra river has been declared the

2nd national waterways of the country. Two govt. owned organizations –Cental Inland water

transport and Directorate of Inland Water Transport Assam are the operating water

transport services on the brahmaputra basin which not only provides cheap but also the

time efficient mode of transport .Mostly 22 districts of assam use the ferry sevices for the

transportation of men,animals,cloths, groceries etc.In 2013-14 the total number of

passenger and the amount of good transported through this system was 70,39,000 and

3,56,552 metric tonns respectively. From the following chart we have got the rough idea

about the ferry ghats and ports in different districts of Assam.

Table2: ferry ghats and ports in different districts of Assam

Source:http://maps.mapmyIndia .com/explore/sea.tport-in-guwahati -Assam

Above all these, the inland water ferry services provide the employment opportunity to

large number of the people of Assam.So not only the passengers are benefitted but also the

poor unemployeed people can able to take the opportunity of getting job in the inland

District Ferry ghats and ports kilometer

kamrup

Ferry ghat 5.0

Inland port 12.6

Sukhleswar ferry terminal 2.1

IWT terminal pandu port 11.5

Majgaon ferry ghat 2.7

Borpeta

Ferry boating 129.5

Sonitpur

Laukhua ferry ghat 164.8

Jorhat Brahmaputra ferry majuli 383.6

Nimatikamalabarighat 398.2

Dibrugarh Bogibil ferry 466.5


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water transport. The following table shows the number of fleets and workers engage in the

inland water transport system.

Table 3:Number of fleets and workers in Inland water Transport in Assam

Passenger Ferry vessel

No.s Commercial vessel

No.s workers No.s

Steel vessel 45 Pushurtug 04 Regular staff (technical)

1384

Wooden boat 35 Terminal facility and

barges

35 Regular staff(non technical)

2948

Pontoon 25 River cruise(VIP)

03 M.R. workers 1012

Shallow draft boat (steel and wooden)

50 River cruise(s.D.

boats)

03 Total workers

5344

Country boat(wooden)

07 Motor tug 02

total passenger

ferry vessel

162 Total commercial

vessel

47

Source: Govt of Assam,Department of transport,Inland water Transport, Dispur,2012

Thus the water transport system provides enough opportunities for the jobless people of

Assam through engaging themselves in the water transport system.

b.Power:

The Brahmaputra and its tributaries are the source of the hydropower generation in the

state of Assam as they carry more than 32% of the total water resource potential in the

country. Presently total 897 sites have been identified for small hydro project in the entire

North East India out of which 46 are identified in Assam only. There are two small

hydalprojects inBaksa district of Assam, namely Pahumara and Rupahi. Pahumara is a hilly

stream and is a tributary of Brahmaputra River and Rupahi too. Inspite of such huge

potential, the state ranks the lowest in the country in terms of power generation and per

capita energy consumption mainly due to lack of proper planning, in hospitable climate

conditions and remote location as well as inaccessibility. However with the continued

improvement of the infrastructure and communication facility the state can able to utilize

its power potential especially hydro sector.

Positive impact of the Brahmaputra on tourism:


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The enhancing blue hills and speedy rivers of Assam provide an enormous scope for

the development of adventure tourism. About 19 tourist spots are situated in the places on

tha banks of Brahmaputra. CNN international in 2013 has recognized Brahmaputra cruises

as one of the top 10 most adventures cruises. Now a days numerous schemes were

announced and ministry of tourism took a number of steps for promoting tourism in the

state. A simple estimate of tourists flow to the state and revenue earned by different stake

holders is shown with the help of the following table:

Table 4: Tourist flow to the state and revenue earned by different stake holder

Source: Economic survey, Assam 2014-15, Govt. of Assam

Negative impact of the river Brahmaputra to the people of Assam:

After the devastating earthquake in 1950, it has brought miseries to the people of Assam in

the form of increased river bank erosion, denudation,saltation and sandcasting which have

directly or indirectly affect the agrarian society of Assam.

1.Negative impact on the livelihood and infrastructure cause by flood and erosion:

Earlier flood had been a blessing because itreplenished wetlands and enriched soil by laying

fresh alluvium. However this profile on the valley has changed now. Heavy concentration of

population as well as past misguishedattemts to tame the Brahmaputra River by building

Year

Indian

tourist

Foreign tourist Total tourist Total revenue earned from

tourist Lodges only(in lakh)

2006-07 3479870 13657 3493527 813

2007-08 3489814 13799 3503613 94.99

2008-09 3698701 14533 3713239 103.92

2009-10 3895525 14694 3910210 131.63

2010-11 4127447 15633 4143080 143.6

2011-12 4008336 16660 4424996 184.49

2012-13 4544666 17708 4502374 248.19

2013-14 4444939 19086 4963479 191.32


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embankments has meant that flood with moderate intensity causes heavy damages by

destroying cropping fields, lives of people as well as the infrastructure. While there was only

200 km. of embankments in the valley till 1954, by 1988 it has risen to 4134 km. IN 2012,

the total loss of state agriculture sector alone was pegged at Rs. 993 crore with 2.5 lakh

hectares of crop area had destroyed. Moreover in the last 50 years Assam has lost 7% of its

land mass to erosion equivalent to an annual asset loss of Rs.200 crore.During 2004-05, the

contribution of agriculture and allied sector to GSDP was 26% which was declined to 23% in

2013-14 The Majuli the world’s second largest inhabited freshwater Island and the

legendary cultural heritage of Assam , has already lost as much as 371 square km of its

landmass to the river in the last 50 years. The following table shows the number of

population and damages cause by flood :

Table5: number of population and damages cause by flood

Year No. of population affected due to flood in the Brahmaputra

Flood damages in Assam (in million)

1953-59 860000 58.6

1960-69 1520000 75.7

1970-79 2000000 151.8

1980-88 4550000 1455.20

1999-2005 45860000 7171.70

Source: Water Resoursedepartment,Govt of Assam.

Not only that, due to occurance of flood water levels of Brahmaputra along the cities has

risen to the dangerous level and as a result of that the ferry services have suspended during

the monsoon season .It will not only adversely effected the passengers who have travel

though ferries but also disturbs the economy of Assam.

2.Negative impact on char dwellers:worst victim of flood and erosion:The Brahmaputra is

a problematic factor which always creat hardship mainly among the char dwellers .flood

destroys the minimum standard of living conditions of the char areas.The char areas occupy

about 4.6% of the total land area of Assam and about 9.37 % of the total population of

Assam . As per statistical data of Assam Water ResourseDepatment ,the average estimated

damage cause by flood in char areas is about 124 crores every year and erosion rates are

about 8000 hectores per year.thus theBrahmaputra become the curse for char

dwellers.Many are forced to start living on the sides of the public roads including National

Highways and even forced to live their lives by doing menial labour . These people Are

always harassed by police and general public accusing them of being foreigners,

i.e.,Bangladesh.


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3.Negative impact of Brahmaputra on the biodiversity: the Brahmaputra flood adversely

impact the biodiversity of kaziranga national park.In recent years, flood has become a

common feature in the park with its increasing magnitude. Flood has its both short-term as

well as long-term negative impact on its biodiversity and both results into severe

destruction to the whole ecosystem.

a.Casualties of Animals:

The worst and the most pathetic situation is that some animals especially the calves and the

aged ones and the deer species are sometime washed away by the current of the flood of

turbulent river Brahmaputra.

b.Migration of Animals and Related Problems:

As soon as the park is submerged by the incoming floodwater the animals of low lying areas

of the park start migrating to the KarbiAnglong hills. As the surrounding areas of the park

are populated, protection of animals during the period of migration from and back to the

park becomes an uphill task. During floods a considerable number of wildlife are lost due to

knock down by fast moving vehicles.

c.Shortage of Fodder and Malnutrition:

The grazing animals in the Kaziranga National Park severely suffer from shortage of fodder

during flood situation. During floods, all the grasslands are submerged under water. Even,

sometimes undergrowth of the forested areas also gets submerged under water during high

floods.

d.Damage to Infrastructure and Disruption in Communication:

The floods generally cause considerable damage to the anti-poaching

infrastructure, namely, roads, bridges, patrolling path, guard camps of the park.

Steps taken by government initiatives to reduce the negative impacts cause

by the Brahmaputra and its tributaries as well as the ways to nourish the

usefulness from it:

The Assam vision document(2016-25) released by the government projects,

declared that Assam is the fourth poor state of India with 96% of agricultural land

as unirrigated . To overcome such kinds of problems the new Govt in its manifesto

has committed to focus on smaller dams with minimum adversial consequences

on the environment.

IWT is also looking to have a SMS based alert system which will allow the officials

to check if a boat has reach the particular location, the vessel’s likely time of

arrival at a port, besides defining its boundary of operation and other such details.


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In order to reduce the adverse effect cause by flood ,the new government is

mulling to plan to dredge the Brahmaputra with the help of China and World

bank.

Brahmaputra and the beels provide opportunity for fishery development on a

widely basis. Yet Assam imports some 25000 tonnes of fish from

AndhraPradesh.That is why the fish federation of assam take various steps for

increasing fish seed production and fish production at grass root level.

Suggestive measures:

A comprehensive scientific study on the entire Brahmaputra river system is

must to find answer to the ravages caused by flood. Dredging of the rivers

and canalization at strategic points could also be a viable option for easing

the rising velocity of floods.

Infrastructure development of ghats needs to be encouraged. At the same

time various tourist lodge and hotels needs to be constructed to attract

more tourist.

To stabilized the bank sediment to reduce erosion, riverbank vegetation

needs to be adopted so that it will provide a shield a between the river and

and rest of the catchments by local inhabitants.

The state govt.and local bodies can think about imposing a certain

Brahmaputra development fees from every from the tourist and tourist

vehicles entering into the river Island. It will help to improve the

environment as well as river bank vegetation.

Hygiene is another big problem during and after flood. That is why the

district administration and other departments such as Health, PHE, etc.

should exhibit greater coordination in ensuring that the needy do not

remain deprived of potable water, medical treatment , etc.

Immidiate measures need to be taken at the govt and NGOs to provide the

sattlers with alternative non agricultural job opportunities.

Conclusion:

Finally we can conclude that the river Brahmaputra and its tributeries have both positive

and negative impacts on the people and culture of Assam.The people of almost 22 districts

of assam haveuse the river for meeting their livelihood in the form of wading of

cattle,fishing, cultivation of different types of crop ,irriration and reverinetransport.Not only

that the industrial units like numaligarh refinery , upper Assam industries areas of oil and

coal fields and Jagighupa paper mills discharging their effluents in to the river.Thus the

negative impacts of the river needs to be reduce in a more scientific way so that it will

become the blessing for the people of Assam.


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Other important finding from seconderysourses:

The ‘Flood Report’ released by Assam State Disaster Management Authority as on 28 July

2016 states:

Districts affected: 22

People affected: 17.94 lakh

Total Crop area affected: 2,13,251.52 hectares

Number of rhino death:23

Most affected districts: Morigaon, Jorhat, Dhubri, Barpeta, Lakhimpur, Golaghat, Sonitpur,

Goalpara, Bongaigaon, Dhemaji and Darrang

No. of Relief Camps opened: 517

Relief Distribution Centres: 186 – sheltering 2,29,544 inmates

The situation began to turn critical ever since the state experienced pre-monsoon showers

in April and May this year. The breach in embankments along the Brahmaputra river and its

various tributaries has caused flooding in 23 out of 35 districts in the state and has

submerged crops in over 2 lakh hectares.

Consequently, 1.1 million people have been affected, with 28 persons losing their lives and

over 1.5 lakh persons seeking shelter in over 460 relief camps.

In many parts, people have remained marooned with little food or drinking water and await

relief and rescue. NDRF teams have been deployed and are trying their best to reach out to

maximum people.

With 80% of the famous Kaziranga National Park submerged, Assam’s pride – the one-

horned Rhinos and other wildlife across the state, have had to face the brunt of swelling

waters. The Wildlife Trust of India, along with various Forest department officials, have been

under pressure rescuing animals but many have drowned while others continue to remain

marooned.

Reference:

Baruah,SantanuKausik.,“Assam year book2015”. Jyotiprakasan.


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Dhar,P.K(2008),“The economy of Assam”

Websites:

www.Brahmaputraboard.gov.in

http://assam.gov.in/web/department-of-water-resource

http://assam.gov.in/web/department-of-water-resource/vision-and-

mission

http://assam.gov.in/documents/10192/1580412/FMP%20XII%20PLAN.

http://www.fishassam.gov.in/orgStructure.html

http://www.biologydiscussion.com/essay/the-positive-and-negative-

impacts-of-flood-on-biodiversity/2101

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brahmaputra_River

http://www.onlinesivasagar.com/wildlife/brahmaputra.html

http://clarion.ind.in/index.php/clarion/article/view/35/49

http://assamagribusiness.nic.in/schemesfishery.htm

http://nedfi.com//databank

http://maps.mapmyindia.in

http://www.brahmaputraboard.gov.in/

http://assam.gov.in/web/department-of-water-resource

http://assam.gov.in/web/department-of-water-resource/vision-and-mission

http://assam.gov.in/web/department-of-water-resource/vision-and-mission

http://assam.gov.in/documents/10192/1580412/FMP%20XII%20PLAN

http://www.fishassam.gov.in/orgStructure.html

http://www.biologydiscussion.com/essay/the-positive-and-negative-impacts-of-flood-on-biodiversity/2101

http://www.biologydiscussion.com/essay/the-positive-and-negative-impacts-of-flood-on-biodiversity/2101

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brahmaputra_River

http://www.onlinesivasagar.com/wildlife/brahmaputra.html

http://clarion.ind.in/index.php/clarion/article/view/35/49

http://assamagribusiness.nic.in/schemesfishery.htm

http://nedfi.com/databank

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THE BRAHMAPUTRA: AS A BLESSING OR A CURSE TO THE …sajms.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/my_paper.pdf · 2016-11-27 · for Kaziranga National Park but the role played by flood in