The Holistic Approach to Flood Management: Integrating Safeguards for Sustainable Solutions

The Holistic Approach to Flood Management: Integrating Safeguards for Sustainable Solutions

Sahibzada Tanzeel Ahmed Sahibzada Tanzeel Ahmed

Sahibzada Tanzeel Ahmed

International Safeguards Professional ↑Value Generator --Africa/Oceania/Asia

发布日期: 2024年6月24日
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The debate around traditional flood control methods versus modern Integrated Flood Risk Management (IFRM) often overlooks a crucial point: sustainable, long-term flood resilience. IFRM combines social, economic, financial, environmental, institutional, engineering, disaster preparedness, insurance, and emergency response strategies to manage flood risks rather than just controlling the physical waters.

Observations from the Field

During a recent reconnaissance study in the southern extension of the Hindu Kush mountain system, I rethought conventional flood control projects in favor of integrated, climate and gender-inclusive approaches. This shift led me to contemplate the potential and importance of green projects in managing natural disasters.

View of the Daraban subbasin of the Gomal River basin


Traditional vs. Integrated Approaches

Traditional flood control and management methods, rooted in hard engineering solutions from the global north, may not align with holistic, place-based approaches. Levees and small dams, check dams etc offer immediate relief but fail to harness the potential of communities deeply connected to their landscapes. In contrast, IFRM employs wetlands and green solutions, integrating climate change and gender considerations, promoting biodiversity and addressing social and land issues.

Comprehensive Flood Risk Management

Flood risk management is not solely about construction of grey structures for managing flood events. Urban floods, for example, may link to solid waste management, requiring integrated solutions. In tribal and rural settings, adjusting cropping calendars to avoid flood seasons might be more effective than building dikes. Restoration of upper catchments and appropriate soil conservation measures are also crucial. Adopting a holistic approach allows for comprehensive solutions and broader opportunities. IFRM benefits from the interconnectedness of upstream and downstream conditions, placing flood infrastructure within the river basin and watershed plans in a very integrated manner by ensuring environmental, social, and gender considerations.


Since floodplains are the sites of early agriculture and settlement thus the depth of flooding may be increased if the conveyance capacity of the river has been reduced through sedimentation or encroachment.
View of Floodplain ( with visible encroachments on agricultural lands, sedimentation, and erosions.


Environmental and Social Considerations

Environmental and social considerations in flood risk management practices must address indirect impacts by considering:

  • Flood flow modeling
  • Changes in flood risk and sediment flows
  • Impacts on upstream and downstream assets and habitats
  • Potential climate change exacerbations
  • Social, land acquisition, and livelihood impacts
  • Gender aspect

Biodiversity and Cultural Heritage

Floodplain biodiversity, encompassing wetlands, riparian, and aquatic habitats, must be carefully assessed. Impacts on these habitats often necessitate project reclassification and thorough due diligence. Adequate baseline data from primary and secondary sources is crucial for effective environmental assessment.

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Visible signs of pollution and littering by tourism observed in Catchments
Waterbodies and waterways are sinks for runoff carrying sediment and pollutant loads from domestic or agricultural lands, or contaminants from industry or disposal. These contaminants, accumulating over many years, can be held by bottom sediments and subsequently released into the water column by the disturbance of natural processes or by project works, e.g., dredging
View of Earlier River with Visible signs of pollution from Tourism
Aquatic habitats and ecological niches which are usually encountered in such interventions especially their spawning areas.
After three strenous days of searching spots of spawning grounds were found in a rare channel (Tributary)


Pollution from sediments disturbed by project works requires early baseline sediment sampling and careful planning of sediment handling, transport, and disposal. Additionally, given that floodplains often host cultural heritage sites it's essential to check for cultural heritage sites and adhere to Safeguard Policies from IFIs, ensuring community health, safety, and livelihoods especially for the downstream communities.

View of Ahmedi Dirga Graveyard Cemetery in Baluchistan

Green and Nature-Based Solutions

Green and nature-based solutions are integral to IFRM, addressing environmental factors such as vegetation, wetlands, geomorphology, and land use. These solutions, though requiring more land, offer sustainable flood risk management through ecosystem services and habitat restoration.

When trees are cut down, the water-absorbing capacity of the forest ecosystem is drastically reduced. Trees and plants play a crucial role in absorbing rainwater, and their roots help hold the soil together, preventing erosion. Without this natural barrier, rainwater can flow unimpeded over the surface of the land, leading to higher volumes and speeds of river flow, thus increasing the likelihood of floods. Moreover, the eroded soil can end up in rivers and streams, raising their levels and exacerbating the flood risk.
One of the major observations of Deforestation disrupting the natural water cycle and leading to more severe floods

Community Engagement and Cost-Benefit Analysis

Community engagement and cost benefit analysis during the earlier stages provides valuable data and information for decision making and facilitating the community involvement process with ensuring their concerns are heard and considered. Engaging communities in conservation projects for flood risk reduction especially for riparian restoration takes in account knowledge of the existing communities such as information on waterways, fishing, recreation and water abstraction or collection.

Consultation during the Project identification phases for sole purpose of understanding the behavior of catchment and identification of best viable sites
A view of Consultation for understanding of the Catchment with Tribal members



Conclusion

In conclusion, adopting a holistic approach integrates multiple strategies to enhance flood resilience, community-based solutions, and promoting sustainability. It's time for projects to adopt a much needed holistic arrangements while designing and planning projects. To achieve maximum efficiency from this approach, all safeguard requirements for grey structural developments should be applied equally to green and nature-based solutions.

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