Topic: changes in critical geographical features (including water bodies and polar ice caps) and, in flora and fauna and the effects of such changes.
3. Floods are known to cause devastation but they also play a key role in the making of the floodplain ecosystem. Elucidate. Also, explain what adaptation measure would you suggest for building resilience against recurring floods. (15M)
Difficulty level: Moderate
Reference: Indian Express
Why the question:
Floods have played a key role in Assam’s ecology. But increasing human footprint has affected the ability of flood plains to absorb water and transport sediment. Therefore, the need to make people and infrastructure resilient against recurring floods
Key Demand of the question:
Give reasons for erratic flooding pattern, give its benefits and suggest adaptation measures against it.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Begin by giving a context of the recent Assam floods
Body:
Give reasons for recurring floods in some parts of India and the devastation they cause e.g., in Brahmaputra valley (as given in the article)
They give the positive impact it has on ecology (also given in the article)
Mention how humans and infrastructure can be made resilient against these recurring floods. ( you may need to research a bit)
e.g., capacity building, and creation of the sponge city concept.
Conclusion:
Give a positive way forward.
