Case Study of the Day: Eco-System Based Approach for Flood Resilience in Gorakhpur

Background: The topography of Gorakhpur region (Uttar Pradesh) combined with ‘Urban Expansion’, had increased its vulnerability to natural disasters, the risk which can be mitigated by an Eco-system based approach.

About Eco-system based Approach

• The prior situation in Gorakhpur were:
  • Unregulated urban planning and unauthorized/improper constructions, including encroachments of low lying and natural wetland areas.
  • Increased rainfall projections resulting in higher flood risks.
  • Flooding caused water logging, which lead to disruptions in transport systems, roads and property damage, thereby, affecting livelihood systems and increasing the vulnerability of the poor.
  • Large scale conversion of agriculture land for non-agriculture uses, exacerbated climate change
  • Risks by increasing water logging and run-off.
• To address the situation, the Gorakhpur Environmental Action Group (GEAG) conducted many studies and research on building resilience, through following measures:
  • Conservation of water-bodies and removing encroachments.
    • This involves Government arranging funds and setting mandate to civic authorities to remove encroachments and beautifying lakes in region.
  • Preservation of peri-urban agriculture
    • This is to improve draining area for excess storm water, with added co-benefits of improving livelihood opportunities for poorest, diversifying food source for urban populations, making use of urban waste for fertilizer, irrigation (recycled waste water), etc.
• The phenomenal development process of Natural Environment builds resilience in itself to address any Disaster Risk.

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