Experts shed light on river rejuvenation and climate-sensible practices

The Telangana government got a tutorial on river management from experts around the country, during the panel discussion on ‘Musi Rejuvenation & Blue-Green Infrastructure in Hyderabad’ conducted as part of the Telangana Rising summit at Bharat Future City on Tuesday.

Tapas Paul, ex-lead environment specialist of the World Bank, said the plan to revive Musi river needs to be more ambitious, and create true benchmark for India. Over time, the river which had been a lifeline for the city of Hyderabad has been converted into a drain, and without any reversal in river polluting practices, the current model for Musi development could create only a cleaner and larger drain.

“When your intent is a drain, it will be a drain,” Mr. Paul said, urging policy makers to think of an influence area larger than 110 square kilometres for a better Hyderabad in 2047.

He suggested a model adopted by the New York city, where denser development in a smaller area left larger open spaces for the city.

“Select 30 square kilometres for high density development and give 80 square kilometres back to the river for its sponges, wetlands and ecosystem services,” Mr. Paul said, suggesting mixed, multi-functional development rather than recreation and entertainment alone.

Environmentalists Rajendra Singh said the river has the right on land and right of flow. Land of the river cannot be used to set up industries and commercial complexes, he cautioned. Technology and engineering should be used with concern, and if the river flow is not clean and continuous, it will be a problem. He also stressed on the need for making people stakeholders in the development.

Arjun Sasidharan, a flood management expert, found fault with the infrastructure planning based on the obsolete calculation of return period for the river basins.

Every year, intensity of rainfall is increasing with narrowed duration, while carrying capacity of the river has come down in Hyderabad. Even moderate water level in the river and dams coupled with moderate rain spell could lead to flooding in such scenario.

But the future infrastructure being planned now is keeping in view the yester year’s climate, he said, suggesting a probabilistic approach with weightages assigned to infrastructure, socio-political, economic and natural vulnerabilities. Compounding effects need to be studied and hydrologically analysed before coming up with solutions. Creation of buffers, their location and their extents should be based on this approach, he said.

Minister D. Sridhar Babu while making an introductory speech, explained the Telangana government’s plans for the Musi river, and said the vision for blue-green infrastructure improves mobility, helps recreation, safety and real estate confidence which will become growth drivers, and all put together, will reinforce the climate security.