1. P ROPOSA
AL
G ANG R I
GA IVER B ASI N
M ANA MENT P LA N
AGEM
S UBM ITTED T
TO
Ministry of Environ
f nment an Fores
nd sts
Go
overnment of Ind
dia
New Del
lhi
Indian In
nstitutes of Tech
s hnology
IIT IIT IIT T
IIT IIT IIT IIT
Bombay Delhi Guwahhati Kanppur Khar
ragpur Madras
M Roorkee
R

2. P REFACE
The river Ganga is of unique importance ascribed to reasons that are geographical,
historical, socio-cultural and economic, giving it the status of a National River. It
has been facing serious threat due to discharge of increasing quantities of sewage
effluents, trade effluents and other pollutants on account of rapid urbanization,
industrialization and agricultural growth. The challenge is compounded due to
competing demands for river water for irrigation, domestic purposes, industrial use
and power.
There is need to ensure effective abatement of pollution and conservation of the
river Ganga by adopting a river basin approach to promote inter-sectorial
coordination for comprehensive planning and management. It is equally important
to maintain minimum ecological flows in river Ganga with the aim of ensuring water
quality through environmentally sustainable development.
In exercise of the powers conferred by sub-sections (1) and (3) of Section 3 of the
Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 (29 of 1986), the Central Government has
constituted National Ganga River Basin Authority (NGRBA) as a planning, financing,
monitoring and coordinating authority for strengthening the collective efforts of the
Central and State Government for effective abatement of pollution and conservation
of the river Ganga. One of the important functions of the NGRBA is to prepare and
implement a Ganga River Basin Management Plan (GRBMP).
It is proposed to develop the GRBMP based on scientific application of modern tools
and technologies combined with traditional wisdom. It has been decided that the
GRBMP be prepared jointly by the seven Indian Institutes Technology’s (IITs) namely
IITs at Kanpur, Bombay, Delhi, Guwahati, Kharagpur, Madras and Roorkee. This will
help leverage the vast knowledge base and experience of IITs in various fields.
This document is a proposal to prepare Ganga River Basin Management Plan by the
IITs. This has been prepared based on workshops organized on various thematic
groups at IIT Delhi and IIT Kanpur, and several meetings/consultations with various
groups/people. Contribution of each and every one who participated in the
preparation of this document is highly appreciated. The seed grant provided by the
MoEF, and the trust and confidence put on IITs by Shri Jairam Ramesh, Hon’ble
Minister of State (Independent Charge) is gratefully acknowledged. Guidance,
support and cooperation received from Shri, Rajiv Gauba, IAS, Joint Secretary and
his colleagues from MoEF is highly appreciated.
June 30, 2010 Vinod Tare

3. C ONTENTS
S No Page No
1 Prologue 1
2 Approach and Methodology 2
3 Data Requirement/Sources/Collection 4
4 Environmental Quality and Pollution 7
4.1 Preamble 7
4.2 Objective 7
4.3 Scope 7
4.4 Methodology 8
4.5 Data Required 20
4.6 Time Schedule 20
4.7 Deliverables 21
4.8 Work Plan 21
4.9 The Team 22
5 Water Resources Management 23
5.1 Preamble 23
5.2 Objective 26
5.3 Scope 26
5.4 Methodology 26
5.5 Data Required 28
5.6 Deliverables 29
5.7 Work Plan 30
5.8 Data Collection 31
5.9 The Team 31
6 Fluvial Geomorphology 33
6.1 Preamble 33
6.2 Major Objectives 34
6.3 Approach and Methodology 35
6.3.1 Mapping geomorphic condition and river dynamics of the river 35
6.3.2 Generation of stream power distribution pattern 36
6.3.3 Control of river energy and sediment supply on channel morphology 37
6.3.4 Hydrology – Geomorphology - Ecology relationship for the different
reaches of the Ganga River 37
6.3.5 Determination of Environment Flow and role of hydrology for
managing geomorphic condition 37
6.3.6 Data integration in River style framework 37
6.4 Data Requirements 38
6.5 Distribution of Work 38
6.6 Deliverables 39
6.7 Work Plan 40
6.8 The Team 40
6.9 References Cited 41
7 Ecology and Biodiversity 42
7.1 Preamble 42
7.2 Objectives 44
7.3 Methodology 44
7.4 Deliverables 50
7.5 Work Plan 50
7.6 The Team 51
7.7 References 51

4. S No Page No.
8 Socio-Economic-Cultural 52
8.1 Preamble 52
8.2 Objective 53
8.3 Tasks 53
8.4 The Team 55
8.5 Important Note 55
9 Policy, Law and Governance 56
9.1 Preamble 56
9.2 Objective 57
9.3 Methodology 57
9.4 Activities 57
9.5 Deliverables 58
9.6 The Team 60
10 Geo-Spatial Database Management 61
10.1 Preamble 61
10.2 Objectives 61
10.3 Scope 63
10.4 Types of Data 63
10.5 Methodology 64
10.6 Work Plan 65
10.7 Deliverables 65
10.8 The Team 65
11 Communication 66
11.1 Preamble 66
11.2 Roles and Responsibility 66
11.3 Typical Communication Plan 67
11.4 Work Packages 68
11.5 Work Plan 68
11.6 The Team 69
12 Deliverables 70
13 Execution 73
14 Financial 75
15 Time Schedule 77
16 The Team 78

5. 1. P ROLOG
GUE
Conven
ntional wis
sdom sugg
gests that m
major envi
ironmental problems that have arisen
s e
as a result of dev
velopment can only b tackled through a
be adoption of technolog
f gies for
pollutio control or remediation of c
on contaminax
xted enviro
onmental media. Ho
owever,
imposing contro on acti
ols ivities that lead to excessive pollution may ofte be a
t en
better strategy f
for comba
ating envir
ronmental pollution. For exa
ample, two major
o
nmental p
environ problems o the twe
of entieth ce
entury, viz eutroph
z., hication of water
f
bodies and dep
pletion of stratosph
heric ozon layer, could be tackled through
ne t
imposition of c
controls o
on the causative agents, i.
.e., phosp
phate con
ntaining
ents and o
deterge ozone depleting subs
stances (ODS) respec
ctively. Advances in science
and te
echnology have pla
ayed a g
great role in ident
tifying and analyzing the
d
environ roblems. However, solution to such pro
nmental pr oblems oft
ten lies in use of
techno
ologies wit minima environm
th al mental foo
otprint. Th vision of great leaders,
he
philoso
ophers and thinkers is often re
d eflective of such a ph
hilosophy. Mahatma Gandhi
stated that, “ther is enough for eve
re eryone’s need but no sufficient for even one’s
ot
greed”. Planet Earth from a distance is just a magic blue and whit pearl where all
e te
ople are th citizens of the world; all peo
life exists; all peo he ople are de
ependent on each
o
other, rather all forms of l
life depend
dent on ea wing shlok from
ach other. The follow ka
the Br
rahmanand Puranam outlines simple instruction for com
d m ns mmon peo
ople to
protect water bo
t odies not o
only for hu
uman uses but for m
s maintenanc of aqua
ce atic life,
and carries the sa
ame meaning.
Many such visio
onary state
ements/me
essages are often q
a quoted in various forums.
f
However, the und
derlying m
message is rarely imb
bibed and implemented. We propose
p
to prep
pare the G
Ganga Rive Basin M
er Managemen Plan based on scientific pri
nt inciples
and ap
pplication o modern tools/tec
of n chnologies but with traditional wisdom (e.g. as
outline in above shloka). Further, th necessit of adopt
ed e he ty ting practices that re
equire a
paradig shift on use of la
gm and, water and other natural re
r esources in the Gang Basin
n ga
for var
rious purp
poses would be emp
phasized along with suggestio
a h ons for pl
lausible
alterna
ative app
proaches using innovative concept
ts and state-of-
-the-art
techno
ologies/me
ethods.
1

6. 2. A PPROACH AND M ETHODOLOGY
An integrated river basin management approach that focuses on “Maintenance and
restoration of wholesomeness of Ganga system and improvement of its ecological
health with due regard to conflict of interest in water uses in entire river basin” will
be adopted. This, entails preparation of plan that has adequate provision for soil,
water and energy in the Ganga Basin to accommodate growing population,
urbanization, industrialization and agriculture while ensuring that the fundamental
aspects of the river system, i.e. (i) river must continuously flow , (ii) river
must have longitudinal and lateral connectivity, (iii) river must have adequate space
for its various functions, (iv) river must function as an ecological entity, and (v) river
must be kept free from any kind of wastes ,, ,are protected. Achieving this
will require development of a framework for coordination whereby all
administrations and stakeholders can come together to formulate an agreed set of
policies and strategies to have a balanced and acceptable approach to land, water,
and natural resource management in the Ganga Basin.
The Ganga River Basin (GRM) is a multifaceted system and requires multi-
disciplinary and interdisciplinary approach. For integrated management of Ganga
River Basin several aspects need to be considered. It is proposed that the work
would broadly be undertaken through following broad themes by various teams. It
is expected that the teams working on each of the themes will closely interact.
a) Environmental Quality and Pollution
b) Water Resources Management
c) Fluvial Geomorphology
d) Ecology and Biodiversity
e) Socio-Economic and Cultural
f) Policy, Law and Governance
g) Geo-spatial Data Base Management
h) Communication
Objectives, scope, methodology, deliverables, work plan and the team involved for
various thematic groups are presented in Chapters 4 through 11. In general
following line of action will be followed.
a) Start-up meeting, collection of relevant data/reports from various agencies
including NRCD to assess present state-of-the-art and take lessons from the
past experience of Ganga Action Plan Phase I and II (GAP I and GAP II), Yamuna
Action Plan (YAP) and other River Action Plans (RAPs).
2

7. b) Delineation of basin water bodies and their status: Review of existing
programmes, plans and measures; Collation of data on water bodies;
Identification of sources and estimation of pollution loads; Analysis of existing
hydrological conditions including flow simulation using hydrological models;
Evaluation of impacts of dams/water resources projects; Assessment of existing
water quality status; Preparation of basin atlas; Preparation of tables and maps
(including GIS based maps); Description of basin characteristics, etc.
c) Modeling supportive and assimilative capacities – situation analysis: Select
appropriate simulation models; Model supportive and assimilative capacities,
and develop scenarios; Carryout iterations to firm-up programme of measures.
d) Establishing environmental objectives/principles of river basin planning
e) Evolve measures for improvement: Changes in mechanisms (policy, regulations,
enforcement, etc.); Maintaining desired water quality; Maintaining ecological/
environmental flows; Augmentation of river flow; Catchment area treatment
and floodplain protection; Sustainable river conservation, etc.
f) Public awareness and stakeholders’ consultation: Mapping of all stakeholders;
Review of completed/ongoing public awareness and consultation process;
Undertake public/stakeholders consultations; Develop programme for public
awareness, consultation and participation.
g) Institutional strengthening and capacity building: Review of existing policies
and regulations; Review of existing institutional arrangements and its capacity
assessment; Develop institutional strengthening and capacity building/training
plan, etc.
h) Evaluation and monitoring programme to facilitate mid course correction.
3

8. 3. D ATA R EQUIREMENT /S OURCES /C OLLECTION
The timely collection of required data as available with various agencies, ULBs,
institutes etc. is the key for successful completion of the study within schedule. The
duration of river basin management plan preparation is 15-18 months, which could
only be completed by a highly professional, experienced and exclusively dedicated
team. However the crux of the study depends on planning and execution of a clear
strategy for collecting necessary data from various sources as the GRBMP would
essentially be developed mainly based on secondary data. The long-term data
generated in the past, as will be collected and compiled by the mission team, will be
randomly verified/ authenticated by conducting field survey and investigation but
the scope of such data collection would obviously be quite limited. We therefore
propose herein a clear strategy for collecting and analysing available data on
various attributes of the river basin. The key element of our data collection strategy
includes:
• Identification and establishing the range, depth and coverage of various data in
advance
• Determining 'essential' and 'desirable' data needs
• Identification of sources of data
• Allocating resources for data collection
• Allocating sufficient time for data collection in overall work plan
• Continuous review and monitoring the progress of data collection
• Soliciting active cooperation of NRCD for facilitating the mission team in
collecting data on time
The data and information to be collected shall include but are not limited to:
• Urban/rural water supply/sewage collection/sewage treatment facilities, their
volumes, organization of services, operation and maintenance, financial
conditions etc.;
• Socio-economic conditions (Administrative Division, Population, industries,
Agriculture etc.);
• Natural conditions (Topography, geology, hydrogeology, meteorology,
hydrology, environment, land use etc.);
• Water Quality, Biological, Hydrological, meteorological monitoring system;
• Topographical conditions (Topographical maps, hydrogeological maps, satellite
images etc);
• Present water use conditions, facilities and problems/issues;
4

9. • By sector - Irrigation, domestic water, industrial water etc.;
• By water resources- Surface water, Rain, Groundwater, treated/untreated
wastewater;
• Agriculture: Farm production, cropping pattern, use of agro chemicals,
irrigation system etc.;
• Conditions of water related hazards- Water quality and sediment disasters,
damages, casualties, etc.;
• Existing water control structures used in the basin and brief description;
• Identification and collection of basic data of hotspots in the river basin from
water quality considerations;
• Mapping of all relevant stakeholders involved in developing and managing the
water sector in the basin, including their roles, responsibilities, expectations
etc.;
• Existing environment laws of the Country/States/Local Bodies;
• Identification of environmental issues and trends of change.
The type of data and their source(s) are indicated in Table 3.1, which will be
further reviewed.
Table 3.1: Secondary Data Collection
Type of data Sources of Data
Physiographic Conditions • Survey of India
• NRSC
• Survey of India Toposheets and maps • Google
• Satellite imagery
Climate and Meteorology: • India Meteorological
Department
• Min-max temperature, relative humidity, • State Agriculture
rainfall, rainy days, evapotranspiration Departments
in different parts of the basin
Hydrological Conditions: • CGWD / NIC
• Central water commission
• Watershed Atlas • CGWD/ SGWBs
• River flow data
• Ground water data (quantity and
Quality)
Soil and Land use • Survey of India
• AISLUS
• Soil and landuse maps • State Agriculture
• District planning map series Departments
• satellite imagery • NRSC
Geology and Geomorphology • Survey of India
• Geological Survey of India
• Geological map series of GSI • AISLUS
• District planning map series • NRSC
• Satellite imagery
Table 3.1 continued to next page … … …..
5

10. Table 3.1 continued from previous page… … … …
Type of data Sources of Data
Water Quality • CPCB and SPCBs
• Surface water quality • ULBs
• Ground water quality • NRCD
• CWC
• CGWD and SGWBs
Status of Sewerage and Sanitation • ULBs
• Present sewerage infrastructure in cities • State Implementing Agencies
and towns • NRCD
• Present sanitation scenario in rural • MoUD
areas • MoRD
• Planned outgoing water supply, • CPCB and SPCBs
sewerage and sanitation projects
Ecological Environment • Fisheries Departments
• Aquatic Ecology • CPCB/SPCBs
Agriculture • State Agriculture
• Farm production, cropping pattern, use Departments
of agro chemicals, pesticides • State Irrigation Departments /
• Irrigation systems Water Resources Departments
• Survey of India
• AISLUS
• NRSC
Socio Economic Conditions • State Governments Press
• District Statistical Handbooks
• Census Handbooks
Grossly Polluted Industries • CPCB / SPCBs
• Type, locations / concentration of GPIs • Directorate of Industries
• Status of effluent treatment / discharge
Others • State of Environment Reports
• Citizens Reports Published
by CSE
6

11. 4. E NVIRONMENTAL Q UALITY AND P OLLUTION
4.1 Preamble
There is an ongoing tussle over water resources in the Ganga River Basin amongst
various stakeholders. On one hand, there is an increasing demand for water for
irrigation, industrial and domestic uses and also for power generation. On the
other hand, there is an increasing demand for arresting the decline in groundwater
table and for maintaining an ‘Environmental Flow (E-Flow)’ in the rivers on the basis
of geo-morphological, socio-economic, socio-cultural, and ecological-biodiversity
considerations. The above conflict is further compounded by the increasing
pollution of groundwater and surface water resources in the Ganga River Basin
through the disposal of ever increasing pollution loads generated through
anthropogenic activity.
Considering the complicated scenario described above, the overall objective of the
proposed Ganga River Basin Management Plan (GRBMP) is to devise a long-term
strategy for sustainable use of the water resources in the basin after giving due
considerations to the competing demands of the various stakeholders.
Environmental Quality and Pollution has been identified as one of the major
Thematic Areas for this comprehensive study.
4.2 Objective
The specific objective of the Environmental Quality and Pollution (EQP) component
of the GRBMP is to devise a strategy such that over the long-term, the quality of the
water resources available in the Ganga River Basin is maintained at a level
commensurate with the requirements of the various stakeholders.
4.3 Scope
The following is the scope of the present study:
a) Quantification of the current domestic and industrial pollution loads generated at
various locations in the Ganga River Basin through a district-wise survey of the
entire basin.
b) Assessment of future district-wise pollution loads in the Ganga River Basin
from domestic and industrial sources considering increasing levels of
population, urbanization and development activities. A variety of
statistical and predictive modeling techniques will be used for these
purposes.
7

12. c) Collation of river water quality data for all major rivers of the Ganga river
basin as obtained from various agencies. Reconciliation and statistical
analysis of the above data.
d) Risk assessment studies conducted based on river water quality data
collected above and expected river water quality in future. A variety of
models will be used for this purpose.
e) Modeling the river water quality of all major rivers in the Ganga River Basin
using the current pollution loads. Reconciliation of the modeling results
with existing river water quality data through model calibration, leading to
model parameter estimation.
f) Modeling the expected river water quality in future using projected
pollution loads. Multiple scenario generation using a variety of
intervention strategies that may be adopted.
g) Evaluation, selection and standardization of intervention strategies to be
adopted at various locations in the Ganga River Basin with special
emphasis on pollution ‘hot-spots’ like large urban centers and industrial
clusters.
h) Specification of a long term water quality surveillance strategy in the
Ganga river basin through (i) development of an online water quality
monitoring and management system, and (ii) developing the long-term
monitoring protocol for emerging pollutants like metals, pesticides,
endocrine disrupters, antibiotics, etc.
i) Integration of all the above components into an ‘Action Plan’, which will
essentially consist of a series of projects/activities to be taken up in a
specified chronological order, such that after the completion of the action
plan, the objectives of the ESE component of the GRBMP as stated earlier
are satisfied.
4.4 Methodology
The overall responsibility for the deliverables of the ESE component of GRBMP is
with the ESE theme coordinator, who will also represent the ESE group in the project
coordination committee. The tasks have been divided into six work packages
(WP1.1 – WP1.6) and a sub-theme coordinator(s) has been given the responsibility
for each work package. The sub-theme coordinator(s) of each work package will
lead the team researchers working on that package. The theme coordinator will
interact with the sub-theme coordinators to ensure that the work progresses
according to plans.
8

13. The work packages are as given below,
WP 1.1: District-wise inventorization of current and projected domestic and
industrial pollution load in Ganga basin and collection of river water
quality data.
WP 1.2: Current and future risk assessment associated with river water quality
in Ganga basin
WP 1.3: Modeling current and future river water quality: future scenarios
generation
WP 1.4: Evaluation, selection and standardization of intervention technologies
for domestic and industrial pollution sources
WP 1.5: Assessment of future water quality monitoring and surveillance needs:
sediment quality, metals, priority pollutants, pesticides, antibiotics,
etc.
WP 1.6: Action plan for improvement and surveillance of water quality in
Ganga river basin
The inter-linkages between the work packages are shown in Figure 4.1.
9

14. Current Flow Data
(From WRM Group)
Current Pollution Water Quality
Load Inventory Model
Current Water
Model Output Current Risk
Quality
Model Calibration
Projected Pollution
Water Quality Model Future Water Quality
Load Inventory
Projected Flow Data Intervention
Future Risk
(from WRM Group) Strategies
Future Water Quality
Surveillance and
Monitoring Issues
Action Plan
WP1.1 WP1.4
WP1.2 WP1.5
WP1.3 WP1.6
Figure 4.1: Inter-Linkages between Work Packages
10

15. The detailed description of the methodology to be adopted for the completion of
each work package is given as follows.
WP 1.1: District-Wise Inventorization of Current and Projected Domestic
and Industrial Pollution Load in Ganga Basin and Collection of
River Water Quality Data.
In-charge: Prof. A. K. Mittal, IIT Delhi
As shown in Figure 4.2, Pollutants are generated in the Ganga River basin in a
variety of ways. The inventorization of the domestic and industrial pollution loads
and water quality data in Ganga river basin will mainly focus on data regarding
various common pollution parameters like organic carbon (BOD/COD), nutrients
and microbial concentrations, etc., data for which is available. Inventorization of
data concerning other pollutants, e.g., metals, priority pollutants, pesticides,
antibiotics, etc. (i.e., emerging molecules) will be taken up in WP1.5.
The methodology to be adopted for fulfilling the objectives of WP 1.1 are described
below,
Step 1: Identification of pollution parameters and standardization of templates,
survey protocols, etc. for the determination of pollution loads.
Step 2: Collection and compilation of the water quality data of Ganga River
Basin available from various national and state agencies and
institutions.
Step 3: Identification of pollution hot spots, key pollutants and possible sources
of pollution.
Step 4: Estimation of the non-point water pollution. Theoretical approach using
applicable international and national case studies along with real time
satellite imaginaries shall be one of the alternatives. Land use pattern,
urbanization, population growth and patterns shall be used to arrive at
the non-point loads. Schematic representation of the sources of non-
point pollution is shown in Figure 4.3.
Step 5: Source inventory shall be carried out for the complete basin. Field work
could be outsourced if time becomes a constraint.
Step 6: Data from different stretches/districts shall be complied. It shall be
analyzed to obtain pre-defined indicators.
Step 7: Prediction of pollution loads into the future using statistical and
predictive modeling, taking due consideration of population increase,
11

16. urbanization and increased industrial and other developmental
activities.
Step 8: Validation and report writing. A number of national workshops shall be
carried out so as to have a comprehensive pollution load inventory after
considering all sources. Various stakeholders shall participate in these
workshops.
Figure 4.2: Pathways of Pollutant Generation in Ganga River Basin
12

17. Rain Event
Land use characteristics of Ganga River
Basin
Special Spots/Activities: Solid
Waste Dumping Sites, Bathing
Agricultural Forest Urbanized Area and Washing Activities,
Dumping of Un-burnt/ half Burnt
Dead Bodies, and Animal
Carcasses and Open Defecation
Slum,
Commercial and
resettlement Institutional Industrial
Residential
colonies
Poor Microbial
Poor Chemical
Quality urban
Quality Runoff
Runoff
Surface water, Ground Water Temporary flooding or
Ganga, Yamuna (Drinking Water Water Logging in Low
etc Source) Lying Areas
Figure 4.3: Schematic Representation of the Sources of Pollution Load Generation in
Ganga River Basin
13

18. WP 1.2: Risk Assessment Associated with Current and Future River Water
Quality
In-charge: Prof. A. K. Nema, IIT Delhi
The risk assessment described in this work package will mainly focus on risks
associated with various common pollution parameters like organic carbon
(BOD/COD), nutrients and microbial concentrations, etc. Risks associated with
other pollutants, e.g., metals, priority pollutants, pesticides, antibiotics, etc. will be
assessed in WP1.5.
The methodology to be adopted for fulfilling the objectives of WP 1.2 are described
below,
Step 1: Identification of source Pathway Receptor Relationships at
selected pollution hot spots as determined in WP 1.1 with reference to
the selected parameters and key receptors
Step 2: Assessment of human health risk and vulnerability mapping.
Step 3: Assessment of risk associated with the possible technological and
policy level interventions.
Step 4: Identification of low risk high return interventions, minimum level of
intervention required to reduce the risk to acceptable level.
Step 5: Suggestions for strengthening the water quality monitoring network.
Suggestions on the framework for performance monitoring of possible
measures under river action plan.
An overview of the Risk Assessment Methodology is presented in Figure
4.4.
Identification of the Problem
(e.g. Analysis of the Specific Information on Key
Pollutants (Stressors) and Environmental
Components/Receptors)
Identification of the Effects Identification of the Extent of Exposure
(Using Field Reports Based on Monitoring, Survey Etc) (Using Field Reports Based on Monitoring, Survey Etc)
Identification of the Risk
(Comparison of Effects with the Extent of Exposure)
Risk Management/ Risk
(Management of Inputs/Alter practices)
Monitoring
(Use of Early Warning and Rapid Assessment Indicators)
Figure 4.4: Overview of the Risk Assessment Methodology
14

19. WP 1.3: Modeling Current and Future River Water Quality: Future Scenarios
Generation
In-charge: Prof. Himanshu Joshi, IIT Roorkee
A descriptive water quality model will be employed that predicts the response of the
receiving water body i.e. Ganga River and its tributaries in this case, to a set of
identifiable pollutant loadings, by way of simulating the processes within the river
system.
Prediction of receiving river water quality thus obtained as a function of loads will
be further utilized by desired translation of the information towards water quality
management.
The river water quality modeling activity will be harmoniously synchronized with the
Watershed and Hydrological (river flow) modeling activities of WRM group.
Starting from the simple DO-BOD relationship, subsequent developments in
understanding and mathematical representation of the processes representing
transformation and fate of various constituents have enriched the spectrum of river
water quality model application today. However, in the present project, the model
application would be limited to consideration of organic constituents, nutrients,
bacteria and related parameters.
The methodology is proposed in the following steps:
Step 1: Identification of stretches for application of water quality models on the
basis of inputs received from WP 1.1. Attention will primarily be focused
on those stretches, which display large violations in quality requirements
with respect to the prevalent and projected water use.
Step 2: Selection of model. Considering the time frame and the ease of
application, a model will be selected which is available as a freeware (not
proprietary) and has a demonstrated capability of universal application.
Also, considering the field realities in respect of hydrology and
topography, the model will probably need to be used in different
configurations (one or more dimensions, steady or unsteady state, etc.).
In this light, it will be advisable that the selected model is rich in
structure and may allow a number of configurations. However, the
complexity of river system and the need of data generation will also play
a very important role in the selection. Further, smooth integration with
the watershed and river hydrological models will also be an important
criterion in this regard.
15

20. Step 3: Data collection and field/lab experiments. The data available from the
existing monitoring networks (run by CPCB, SPCB or CWC etc.) may not
be adequate for the purpose of modeling due to factors like inadequate
spatial and temporal distribution of generated data, non-availability of
hydraulic parameters alongwith the water quality data, etc. This may
result in a requirement of additional data generation/collection at the
primary level. Further, it may also be desirable to conduct specific
field/lab experimentation for estimation of few parameters like
dispersion coefficient, Benthic release rates, etc.
Step 4: Model application. Model application protocol will be followed employing
steps of Calibration, Validation and Sensitivity/Uncertainty analysis.
Different sets of data will be used for calibration and validation steps.
Accuracy of prediction will be evaluated through established statistical
measures.
Step 5: Scenario generation for waste load allocation and water quality
management. On the basis of inputs of projected future point/non-point
loads, associated risks and intervention options available from WP 1.2
and 1.4 , future scenarios will be generated keeping in view the waste
load allocation possibilities to achieve sound water quality management.
Above steps are elaborated graphically in Figure 4.5.
Identification of
WP 1.1 WP 1.3
Stretches/hotspots
Selection of Model
Data Collection and
Experiments
Model Applications
• Calibration
• Validation
• Sensitivity Analysis
WP 1.4 Scenario Generation WP 1.5
Figure 4.5: The River water Quality Modeling Process
16

21. WP 1.4: Evaluation, Selection and Standardization of Intervention
Technologies for Domestic and Industrial Pollution Sources
In-charge: Prof. Ligy Philip, IIT Madras
The broad methodology to be adopted for fulfilling the objectives of WP 1.4 are
described below,
Step 1: Evaluation of existing major domestic and industrial wastewater
treatment systems in Ganga River basin: Based on the data available on
the influent and effluent characteristics of existing treatment plants and
various study reports, the performances of the treatment plants will be
evaluated. If necessary, possible remedial measures will be suggested.
GAP-1 and GAP-2 reports will be studied in depth to learn lesson for the
future.
Step 2: Comparative analysis of various available, emerging and innovative
wastewater (both domestic and industrial) treatment technologies to
achieve prescribed effluent standards: Various domestic wastewater
treatment technologies will be evaluated based on efficiency, operation
and maintenance cost, ease of operation, sustainability, land and energy
requirement and life cycle analysis. The best available technology (BAT)
for treatment of wastewater from various types of industries, in the
Ganga Basin will be specified.
Step 3: Standardize the design of various domestic and industrial wastewater
treatment technologies: Based on the quality and quantity of wastewater
to be treated and the required effluent quality to meet the
disposal/reuse/recycling requirements, the land requirement, the capital
and operation and maintenance costs of various treatment technologies
will be standardized.
Step 4: Prescribe suitable waste management options for various urban centers
in Ganga river basin: Based on the pollution characteristics and pollution
load, treatment systems will be suggested for various urban centers. The
feasibility of the prevention of the discharge of partially treated or
untreated wastewater to rivers in Ganga river basin will be explored. The
issue of wastewater disinfection before discharge will be considered
carefully. The feasibility of reuse of treated domestic wastewater and
recycling of industrial effluent will be explored. Feasibility of adopting
decentralized and community level wastewater treatment systems will be
explored as an alternative to centralized systems. The areas requiring
sewer networking will be identified. The issue of sanitation, especially in
areas without sewers will be explored. The prevalence of polluting
practices, such as disposal of garbage, dead human and animal carcasses
17

22. and other solid wastes in the rivers, open defecation on river banks, use
of pesticides in river bed cultivation, etc. will be considered and
alternative practices recommended.
WP 1.5: Assessment of Future Water Quality Monitoring and Surveillance Needs:
Sediment Quality, Metals, Priority Pollutants, Pesticides, Antibiotics, etc.
In-charge: Prof. Sudha Goel, IIT Kharagpur, Dr. Rakesh Kumar, NEERI
Detailed data about pollution loads and river water quality in the Ganga river basin
is available only for a few pollutants like organic carbon (BOD/COD), nutrients (N
and P) and microbial (i.e., coliform) concentrations. Hence any action plan for
improvement of water quality in the Ganga basin prepared at the present time can
only be based on the information about the above pollutants.
Aqueous and sediment phase concentrations of other pollutants of concern, e.g.,
metals, pesticides, antibiotics and other priority pollutants in the Ganga river basin
have not been monitored extensively. Data about many such pollutants is either
not available or available for limited time-span and only at few locations. Yet many
of these pollutants may already have widespread presence and high concentrations
in the environmental media (i.e., water and soil) of the Ganga river basin and hence
may pose a significant ecological and human health risk. Other such pollutants
may become a cause of concern in the future as anthropogenic activity intensifies in
the Ganga river basin.
Considering the lack of a comprehensive data base regarding these pollutants, no
action plan can be recommended vis-à-vis these pollutants at the present time.
Nonetheless, a comprehensive river water and sediment monitoring and surveillance
plan must be developed for generating the database and risk data regarding these
pollutants. This database will provide a basis for future action regarding the
elimination of risks associated with such pollutants.
The broad methodology to be adopted for fulfilling the objectives of WP 1.5 are
described below,
Step 1: Review and summarize all studies in Ganga river basin concerning the
monitoring of metals, pesticides, antibiotics and other priority pollutants
in various environmental media (i.e., water and sediment/soil).
Step 2: Interlink the available monitoring data with possible natural and
anthropogenic (both point and non-point/distributed) sources for such
pollution.
18

23. Step 3: Organize a workshop with all concerned stakeholders to prepare a list of
pollutants to be flagged for further investigation as the cause for long-
term risk to the water quality in the Ganga river basin.
Step 4: Review and summarize the available fate, transport and human and
ecological risk information available for the above list of pollutants.
Step 5: Propose a long-term monitoring framework for presence/absence
studies and quantification of the concerned pollutants in various
environmental media all across the Ganga river basin, giving due
consideration to intervention strategies proposed under the GRBMP.
WP 1.6: Action Plan for Monitoring, Surveillance and Improvement of Water
Quality in Ganga River Basin
In-charge: Prof. Purnendu Bose, IIT Kanpur
Inputs obtained from the WP1.2, WP1.3, WP1.4 and WP1.5 will be used for
formulating the ‘Action Plan(s)’ for improvement and maintenance of the long-term
water quality in the Ganga river basin.
The broad strategy shall be as follows. Based on inputs on intervention strategies
suggested in WP1.4, various water quality scenarios in the Ganga river basin will be
generated through water quality modelling in WP1.3. These scenarios will be
further examined through WP1.2 for determination of the associated risks. Thus,
based on the combined inputs from WP1.2, WP1.3 and WP1.4, a few scenarios which
ensure acceptable long term water quality in the Ganga river basin will be selected.
It must however be realized that scenarios selected above only consider risks
associated with a few pollutants, i.e., organic carbon (BOD/COD), nutrients and
microbial contamination. Risks associated with other pollutants, i.e., those studied
in WP1.5, will not considered in the above scenario development. The study
outlined in WP1.5 is nonetheless very important, since it will clearly identify the
pollutants which may already pose a substantial risk, or may do so in the future.
Such pollutants will be flagged for extensive monitoring in the Ganga river basin,
such that sufficient data for the calculation of the associated risks may be
generated for future action.
The broad methodology to be adopted for fulfilling the objectives of WP 1.6 are
described below,
Step 1: Identification of acceptable scenarios regarding the long-term water
quality in the Ganga river basin. The ‘Action Plan(s)’ corresponding to
these scenarios will be developed.
19

24. Step 2: Chronological listing of infrastructure projects, e,g., sanitation, sewer
networks, wastewater treatment, etc. to be undertaken in the Ganga
river basin in the future corresponding to each ‘Action Plan’.
Step 3: Clear enunciation of the impact of successful completion of each
infrastructure project on the water quality in the Ganga river basin for
every ‘Action Plan’.
Step 4: Listing of the future water quality surveillance and monitoring needs,
both with respect to the primary pollutants and pollutants flagged for
extensive surveillance based on conclusions of WP1.5, followed by the
preparation of comprehensive and long-term water quality
surveillance and monitoring plan for the entire Ganga river basin.
4.5 Data Required
A visit is planned to all districts in the Ganga River Basin for on-site assessment of
pollution loads, industrial and other associated development potential, urbanization
prospects other relevant details. Other than this visit for primary data collection,
the study will primarily depend on secondary data. Such data shall be collected
from a variety of sources, some of which are listed as follows.
• Master plans
• Basin identification documents
• Monitoring networks
• Environmental management plans
• Inventory of existing treatment facilities
• Socioeconomic data documents of Development Authorities
• Published/online water quality data and water quality standards
• Hydro meteorological data reports
• Census data reports
• published documents on water regulatory structures
• Available records about industrial water demand and waste generation
• Documents/Handbooks about data related to agriculture
• Data about toxicology from existing reports (including reports from ICMR)
4.6 Time Schedule
The total time for the study shall be 18 months, provided that data on current and
future flows in various rivers in the Ganga River Basin is obtained within 4 months
of project commencement. Detailed work plan is given below. The in-charges of
various work packages are required to strictly adhere to the published work plan.
20

25. 4.7 Deliverables
A comprehensive report containing all details of the methodology adopted, studies
undertaken, results obtained, conclusions drawn and recommendations made will
be prepared and submitted. However, the main deliverables of the ESE component
of the project shall be the following,
• Map and associated GIS representation showing current (2010) pollution load
generation from domestic and industrial sources and other related information
(i.e., population, drainage pattern, sanitation levels, etc.) for each district in the
Ganga River Basin
• Maps and associated GIS representations showing estimated pollution
generation and other related information in all districts of the Ganga River Basin
from 2015-2055 at 10 year increments.
• A map and associated GIS representation showing current (2010) water quality
parameters and associated risks in all major rivers of the Ganga River Basin.
• Maps and associated GIS representations showing water quality parameters and
associated risks in all major rivers of the Ganga River Basin in 10 year
increments from 2015 – 2055, assuming that the recommended action plan is
implemented.
• ‘Action Plan(s)’, consisting of a series of projects (including infrastructure
and water quality monitoring and surveillance projects) to be taken up in a
specified chronological order, such that the water quality objectives of the
GRBMP are achieved.
4.8 Work Plan
0-3 4-6 7-9 10-12 13-15 16-18
Activity
Months Months Months Months Months Months
Work Package 1
Work Package 2
Work Package 3
Work Package 4
Work Package 5
Work Package 6
21

26. 4.9 The Team
S No Name Affiliations Role
1 Shyam Asolekar IIT Bombay Member
2 Suparna Mukherji IIT Bombay Member
3 Sumathi Suresh IIT Bombay Member
4 A K Nema IIT Delhi Member
5 Arun Kumar IIT Delhi Member
6 Atul K Mittal IIT Delhi Member
7 B J Alappat IIT Delhi Member
8 Gazala Habib IIT Delhi Member
9 T R Sreekrishnan IIT Delhi Member
10 Ajay Kalamdhad IIT Guwahati Member
11 Purnendu Bose IIT Kanpur Member
12 Saumyen Guha IIT Kanpur Member
13 Vinod Tare IIT Kanpur Leader
14 A K Gupta IIT Kharagpur Member
15 M M Ghangrekar IIT Kharagpur Member
16 Sudha Goel IIT Kharagpur Member
17 Ligy Philip IIT Madras Member
18 Mukesh Doble IIT Madras Member
19 Ravi Krishna IIT Madras Member
20 Shiva Nagendra IIT Madras Member
21 A A Kazmi IIT Roorkee Member
22 B Prasad IIT Roorkee Member
23 C B Majumder IIT Roorkee Member
24 G J Chakrapani IIT Roorkee Member
25 Himanshu Joshi IIT Roorkee Member
26 I D Mall IIT Roorkee Member
27 I M Mishra IIT Roorkee Member
28 Indu Mehrotra IIT Roorkee Member
29 P Mondal IIT Roorkee Member
30 Pradeep Kumar IIT Roorkee Member
31 V C Srivastav IIT Roorkee Member
32 Vivek Kumar IIT Roorkee Member
33 Prabhat Singh IT BHU Member
34 C V Chalapati Rao NEERI, Nagpur Member
35 J K Bassin NEERI, Delhi Member
36 Rakesh Kumar NEERI, Mumbai Member
37 Anju Singh NITIE, Mumbai Member
22

27. 5. W ATER R ESOURCES M ANAGEMENT
5.1 Preamble
United Nations sponsored the International Hydrologic Decade from 1965 to 1974.
The primary benefit of this programme was increasing consciousness about
regional and global scale problems and about human impact on the Hydrologic
Cycle. The evolution, from classical viewpoint (Figure 5.1) to the ‘contemporary’
viewpoint (Figure 5.2), of the realisation about interconnectedness of nature and the
changes being brought by humans, may be depicted as follows.
(a) Classical viewpoint:
Atmosphere Earth Surface Man
Figure 5.1: Classical Viewpoint of Man’s Role in the Hydrologic Cycle
(b) Contemporary viewpoint:
Natural Processes
Atmosphere Earth Surface Man
Anthropogenic Process
Figure 5.2: Contemporary Viewpoint of Man’s Role in the Hydrologic Cycle
A river basin is a natural unit for integrated water resources planning and
management, and its integrated hydrologic-environmental-socio-political-
economic model combines an understanding of the dynamics of natural resources
system in terms of the intrinsic intra-component inter-linkages and its evolution,
as a whole, in response to a wide spectrum of external anthropogenic stimuli. Some
of these anthropogenic stimuli are in terms of water use in an environment of
competition between uses and, indeed, amongst various users. As an added
complexity, these are also temporally and spatially distributed.
The interwoven nature of the natural Bio-Physical System, Hydrologic System,
Socio-economic System, anthropogenic Branch Cycle System and the designed
Decision Support Systems & Models is illustrated in Figure 5.3 below:
23

28. Socio
Man-made Physical Socio
Economic
System Economic
Impact of
System of
[Reservoirs, Dams, WRM
Man
Dykes, Irrigation +/-
Schemes]
Observing System
Models of Physical Water Resource
Systems Management
Physical System of [WRM]
Nature
Decision
[Climate and the Models [Decisions]
Hydrological Cycle]
Figure 5.3: Interdependencies between the Natural Bio-Physical System, Hydrologic Cycle,
Anthropogenic Influences and Decision Systems and Models.
This is further illustrated in Figure 5.4 given below and depicts the all
encompassing context of the Bio-Physical Cycle-Hydrologic Cycle-Branch Cycle
System.
Water Resources Use
Cycle of Erosion
Population & Sedimentation
Growth
Hydrologic Cycle
Economic
Biochemical
Development
Cycles
Change of Geosystems
Figure 5.4: Context of Study of the Bio-Physical Cycle-Hydrologic Cycle-Branch Cycle
System.
The illustration identifies increasing human habitations, irrigated agriculture,
industrialization, urbanisation and deforestation as the main anthropogenic
processes which interfere directly with the natural water cycle. For example,
creation of permanent irrigation systems involve storages and diversion of water for
agriculture which not only reduces the water available for similar end use
downstream, it also reduces the water available for other uses and alters the
24

29. original eco-system besides having a direct impact on the water quality regime.
Changes in biochemical cycles, reflected, for instance, by changes in the regime of
biological and chemical indicators and their linkages with soil and water quality
and, importantly, with diversity in flora and fauna, are profound phenomena that,
along with changes in greenhouse gases in earth’s atmosphere, are shown to
impinge on the global and regional climate and, thus, on hydrologic and other
water related cycles. These climatic and anthropogenic processes have evolved in
time and space at fluctuating rates. Therefore, the magnitude of impact, of changes
in these influences, on the water cycle of the river basin would reflect such temporal
and spatial fluctuations.
A preferable concept of introducing ecological requirements, as depicted in Figure
3.4, must be based, for objectivity, on those ecological quality goals that are
congruous with societal aspirations at various levels. If these are derived from
functional ecosystem principles, and if holistic objects of protection are discussed,
a big step towards sustainable management strategies can be taken along the lines
as suggested below in Figure 5.5.
Sustainable Ecological Development
Integrity
Structure Economic
Conservation Utility
Figure 5.5: Synergy between Ecological Conservation and Sustainable Development
These aforementioned ideas establish a framework for the proposed study of the
Ganga River Basin. Water is the basic crucible that has the potential to yield a
valuable insight not just into the diagnosis of the state of health of a river basin but
also into its future prognosis. Accordingly, therefore, Water Resources Management
is identified as one of the major Thematic Areas for this comprehensive study. The
study includes not just the natural water cycle but also the external, spatially
distributed, epicycles of anthropogenic interventions for control and use of water
resources and their impacts, both individual as well as integrated, on the bio-
chemical cycles that characterize the spatially varied terrestrial and aquatic eco-
systems of the Ganga River Basin.
The study will also focus on the cycles of erosion and sedimentation both as
causative agents that shape the geo-morphologic response of the river basin as
well as an evolutionary process with its etiological basis firmly interlinked with the
hydrodynamic aspect of the hydrologic cycle.
25

30. 5.2 Objective
The objective of this segment is to identify the work elements of the Water
Resources Management component of the GRBMP study being undertaken. A
comprehensive water balance study shall be undertaken to help formulate river
basin plan for Ganga system.
5.3 Scope
The following is the scope of the present study:
a) Quantification of available water resources (Surface and Subsurface) in the
Ganga System using hydrological modelling.
b) Assessment of present and future water needs of the system (say 2051) for
irrigation, domestic, industries, power generation, salinity, inland navigation,
fisheries, pollution dispersion, ecological balance, social and religious needs
and all other relevant needs for a sustainable development of the system.
c) Assessment of water quality through hydrological modelling for point and
non-point source loads.
d) Simulation of baseline conditions to validate the hydrological model for
quantity and quality.
e) Groundwater flow modelling, stream aquifer interaction and GW pollution
transport modelling.
f) Hydrodynamic simulation of all the major tributaries of Ganga to generate
information required for geomorphological, flood propagation and ecological
studies.
g) Scenario generation for assessment of impacts on account of: present
interventions, ongoing development, and proposed development.
h) Integration of all the above components and the outputs of other theme
groups
i) Sustainability studies of the development paths
5.4 Methodology
On the basis of the foregoing discussion, mathematical simulation models, within
the frame work of a macro-scale water balance for Ganga River Basin, are proposed
to be used for the study being reported herein. The underlying significance of the
basin scale water balance for the overall solution to the problem of flow simulation
of base line conditions is recognised and follows in the wake of the keynote address
by Prof. J.C.I. Dooge who proclaimed ‘Enough is enough - our task is constantly to
seek better solutions to the water balance equation’. He further stated ‘... business
of hydrology is to solve the water balance equation’.
26

31. In the study of Water Resources of Ganga River Basin, there is, therefore, a need to
develop procedures that enable a differential quantification of impact of
anthropogenic as well as natural climatic factors on the basin’s hydrologic cycle
and, in the process, be able to distinguish between the effects of human activities
and climatic variability on hydrologic state variables. These issues assume criticality
where there are competing users and conflicting demands as well as a natural
hydrologic cycle which is facing high levels of unsustainable exploitation.
The keystone concept is the degree to which the study is able to maintain the
integrity of the overall water balance within the region of study and accordingly,
therefore, a general framework of the overall composite water balance is proposed
as given below in Figure 5.6.
Precipitation
Imports
Rainfall over un-irrigated area
Irrigated Minor
area [Dmi] irrigated
Runoff from non-irrigated Area [Rui] area
[Reservoir or
Anicut]
[Rui-Dmi-Di-De-Dm
+/- Carryover
- Evaporation
[Exports De] [Dm]
Municipal and
Industrial use
[Rmi]
[Ri] [Rw]
[Rw]
Municipal and Industrial use River Flow
Figure 5.6: Depiction of the Composite Water Balance for a Basin
Suitable hydrologic models would be designed to simulate individual contributions
coming to the overall river flow from each of the paths depicted in Figure 5.6.
Further, and importantly in the context of the headwater reaches of Ganga River
Basin, an additional - and in some seasons, substantial - contribution to the overall
water resources is derived from snow and glacial melt. The presence of snow and
glaciers in the upper part of the Ganga River form a unique reservoir of fresh water.
Glaciers act as natural frozen reservoirs and provide flows in a regulated manner.
The runoff generated from snow and glacial melt in the Ganga basin plays a vital
27

32. role in making this river perennial and ensuring, thereby, a continuous availability
of water in the river.
Water quality in the various reaches of Ganga is central to many current social,
environmental and political issues that have occupied the collective conscience of
the entire nation. Accordingly, a significant effort would be devoted to the study of
various water quality parameters and indicators and their spatial and temporal
variations. The study would include modelling of both point as well as non-point
sources of waste effluents and various other ordinary chemical, bio-chemical and
microbiological pollutants.
It is averred that river water is a primary carrier for pollutant transport as well as a
medium for its dispersion and appropriately, therefore, the proposed Water
Resources Study would entail development of a framework for a coupled hydrologic
cum hydrodynamic model. The hydrodynamic model, besides establishing flood
wave propagation characteristics, would also facilitate the characterization of
pollutant transport and its reaction kinetics.
A central issue in the overall Ganga River Basin Management Plan is the problem
posed by high levels of silt being contributed by the individual sub-catchments. The
impact on water quality and silt loads in river waters of possible changes in land
use and cropping patterns as well as of agricultural and water management
practices would also require a detailed study as part of the overall Water Resources
Management Theme.
Some of the models proposed to be used in the study have been identified as
follows:
• Hydrological modelling – SWAT
• Groundwater flow, stream aquifer interaction and GW pollution transport
modelling – MODFLOW, HYDRO GEO SPHERE, MT 3D, GS Flow, PHAST
• Hydrodynamic modelling – HECRAS
• River network models – FLO-2D and others
• Surface Water Quality modelling by QUAL 2E/K
• Geo-spatial analysis by ARC-GIS
5.5 Data Required
This study shall require a comprehensive database to be used for various modelling
efforts. The following are some of the major data items identified for the study and
their possible sources.
a) Drainage system – SRTM/ASTER
b) Flow data at gauging sites - CWC and State Water Resources Departments
c) Flow cross sections and rating curves at various stream gauging sites - CWC
and State Water Resources Departments
28

33. d) Landuse/Landcover and Soil maps of the catchments – Global and National
data sources
e) Data on water utilisation for agricultural and other uses
f) Data on water resources projects including reservoirs and diversion facilities–
National and State departments
g) River cross-section data if available
h) Meteorological data - IMD
i) Sediment data; volume and characterization – CWC/State Govt. agencies
j) Ground water fluctuation data – CGWB/State GW Boards
k) Data on water quality parameters (surface and ground water) – CPCB, CWC,
CGWB, State Pollution Control Boards, MOEF
5.6 Deliverables
The hydrology of Ganga River Basin, similar to other river basins, is governed
largely according to the relative strengths and significance of individual
components of its overall natural hydrologic cycle. This natural cycle, however, also
gets suitably modified and impaired in accordance with the external branch cycle
developments. An important underlying facet to these interacting and mutually
interdependent subsystems is contributed in no small measure by the scale at
which the system is being observed. Furthermore, these attributes have a temporal
as well as a spatial flavour.
Ideally, a comprehensive study would entail a representative description of the
various resident natural and externally forced anthropogenic processes across all
scales and, therefore, suggesting a modelling framework that would also facilitate
migration across the fuzzy and obscure boundaries that separate one scale from
the next. It would also be fair to say that there indeed are no sharp boundaries that
separate these processes at different scales but the perceived differences are on
account of the spatial and temporal scale of integration of these processes.
Across the extremely heterogeneous and diverse nature of physical, geo-
morphological, hydro-meteorological, socio-political and economic conditions that
prevail across the Ganga River Basin, there will be epicycles of natural hydrology at
a farm plot scale that will be in a dynamic integration with an externally driven
water use circuit at the same level. This will be resident within a higher level
epicycle of natural hydrology and external water use system at the farm level and
integrated further in a similar pair of epicycles at the small watershed scale and
going further on to the scale of the overall river basin in which all these small scale
epicycles would be nestled in.
29

34. It is a reasonable aspiration behind a study, such as the one that is being proposed,
to be able to understand the impacts on the water regime, in terms of quantity as
well as quality, of any form of intervention at all, and including, even the lowest
scale. However pragmatism requires setting realistic targets for the study and
accordingly, the study proposes to limit the study of impacts to those that result
from large and medium scale projects. At this stage smaller projects such as minor
irrigation schemes and other interventions at similar scales would not feature
individually in the study but would be collectively incorporated as a lumped and
integrated intervention at appropriate scales.
It is therefore hoped that the study would deliver the following:
• Assessment of present and future (say 2051) water needs of the system for
irrigation, domestic consumption, industry, power generation, salinity, inland
navigation, fisheries, pollution dispersion and dilution, ecological balance,
social and religious needs.
• Virgin, unregulated, water resources availability across the Ganga River Basin
for this time horizon.
• Scenario generation for assessment of impacts of major and medium scale
interventions on water quantity as well as quality over a time horizon extending
upto 2051 on account of: present interventions, ongoing development, and
proposed development
• Integration of all the above components and the outputs of other theme groups
• Sustainability studies of the suggested alternative development paths
5.7 Work Plan
0-3 4-6 7-9 10-12 13-15 16-18
Activity
Months Months Months Months Months Months
Data acquisition and processing
Set up of Hydrological Model on
respective basins for quantity and
quality
Calibration and validation for the
hydrological model after incorporating
the baseline
Set up of Hydrodynamic Model for
quantity and quality
Table continued to next page … … … …
30

35. … … … … Table continued from previous page
0-3 4-6 7-9 10-12 13-15 16-18
Activity
Months Months Months Months Months Months
Calibration and validation for the
hydrodynamic model after
incorporating the baseline
Scenario generation for ongoing, and
proposed level of water resources
development
Analysis of implications of the
development pathways on the water
quantity and quality regimes
Suggesting possible demand
management options through
simulation
Collation and Integration of
information from all water resources
groups
Dissemination of water resources
information through web
Documentation
5.8 Data Collection
The Water Resources Management Thematic Group discussed the important issue of
data collection and recognized that the task of collecting representative observed
data posed grave challenges. The Group recognized that the intervention of MOEF
would greatly facilitate this onerous task.
The WRM Thematic Group felt that the task of data collection would be the
collective responsibility of IITs Delhi, Roorkee, Kharagpur, Kanpur, & IT BHU.
5.9 The Team
S No Name Affiliations Role
1 A K Gosain IIT Delhi Leader
2 A K Keshari IIT Delhi Member
3 B R Chahar IIT Delhi Member
4 D R Kaushal IIT Delhi Member
5 R Khosa IIT Delhi Member
6 Subashisa Dutta IIT Guwahati Member
7 Suresh A Kartha IIT Guwahati Member
8 P Mohapatra IIT Kanpur Member
9 Rajesh Srivastava IIT Kanpur Member
10 Anirbhan Dhar IIT Kharagpur Member
Table continued to next page … … … …
31

36. … … … … Table continued from previous page
S No Name Affiliations Role
11 Dhrubajyoti Sen IIT Kharagpur Member
12 S N Panda IIT Kharagpur Member
13 B S Murthy IIT Madras Member
14 N Balaji IIT Madras Member
15 Asish Pandey IIT Roorkee Member
16 C S P Ojha IIT Roorkee Member
17 Deepak Khare IIT Roorkee Member
18 K S Hari Prasad IIT Roorkee Member
19 M Perumal IIT Roorkee Member
20 M K Jain IIT Roorkee Member
21 M L Kansal IIT Roorkee Member
22 N K Goel IIT Roorkee Member
23 S K Jain IIT Roorkee Member
24 S K Tripathi IIT Roorkee Member
25 U C Choube IIT Roorkee Member
26 S K Gupta IT BHU Member
27 V Singh IT BHU Member
28 Pratap Singh INRM Member
32

37. 6. F LUVIAL GEOMORPHOLOGY
6.1 Preamble
Scientific approach to river management has moved from the engineering
dominated command and control approach to an integrated ecosystem based
approach that relies on synthesis of hydrological – geomorphological and ecological
data. Engineering solutions will therefore have to be found keeping the scientific
framework of the river system as the basic template for human intervention. The
‘command and control’ approach is based on single purpose, deterministic
approach, which remained focused on site or reach specific scales without serious
consideration of upstream and downstream consequences and related connectivity
issues. On the contrary, the ‘ecosystem based’ approach is a cross-disciplinary,
holistic approach applied at catchment scale - a probabilistic approach which
recognizes uncertainty and complexity in the system (Brierley and Fryirs, 2005,
2009). The physical template of a river system provides the basic structure to
analyse the different aspects in an integrated approach.
Recent research on river systems has also highlighted the importance of
understanding controls on channel morphology as a basis for river management
and rehabilitation work (Gilvear, 1999; Brierley and Fryirs, 2000; Brierley et al.,
2002; Gregory, 2003, Brierley and Fryirs, 2005). River morphology not only varies
from upstream to downstream in a particular system but also from catchment to
catchment in a particular region (Knighton, 1998; Richards, 1982; Schumm, 1977).
Characterisation of the geomorphic conditions of river systems provides the basic
and first order data set for stream management programme.
Channel morphology at any point is controlled by the dominance of aggradation or
degradation processes, which in turn is governed by: (1) energy of flow and (2)
sediment load (Bull, 1979; Graf, 1987, Church, 1992; Lawler, 1992; Montgomery et
al., 1996; Leece, 1997; Knighton, 1999; Reinfelds et al., 2004; Jain et al., 2006).
The energy of river flow is expressed as specific stream power, which is defined as
the power available per unit area of river bed. Variation in stream power defines
changes in the amount of energy available to do work on the bed of the stream.
Thus, the energy distribution in a river system is a major control on channel
morphological variations. Specific stream power (ω) is expressed as (Bagnold,
1966):
ω= γ.Q.s/w
where γ -unit weight of water, Q- discharge, s-channel slope and w-channel width.
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38. In an idealised section, progressive downstream reaches are characterized by
reduction in channel slope and an increase in discharge and valley width (Church,
1992). Long profiles with marked channel slope variations are further controlled by
lithology and tectonic forces. These latter considerations dictate the availability and
calibre of the sediment load in each reach. Distribution of stream power distribution
pattern and sediment supply at the particular reaches will explain the geomorphic
condition of the river at the given reach. The understanding will also help to define
potential of river recovery for different reaches.
One of the useful concepts to integrate such diverse parameters for river
management is the River Styles® Framework (Brierley and Fryirs, , 2005; Fryirs and
Brierley, 2005) which involves four stages of investigation. The first stage focuses
on identification, interpretation and mapping of river styles throughout the river
catchment. The second stage involves assessing the geomorphic condition of each
reach of each River Style in the catchment. By placing each of these reaches in their
catchment context, along with an interpretation of limiting factors, the geomorphic
recovery potential of a given reach of each River Style is determined. From this,
predictions of likely future condition are determined in the third stage of
investigation. Finally, with this information in hand, realistic target conditions for
river rehabilitation programs are identified for each reach, framed within a
catchment-based vision. Working with local/regional river managers, a physically-
meaningful framework for management strategies for river rehabilitation and
conservation is then applied.
6.2 Major Objectives
The major objective of the fluvial geomorphology component of the project will be
to define the geomorphic condition of the Ganga river system in different reaches
and to understand the hydrology-geomorphology-ecology linkage for developing a
sustainable river management programme. The specific objectives and tasks
pertaining to fluvial geomorphological investigations will be as follows:
a) Preparation and compilation of geomorphic map of the Ganga River and
classification of the reaches in terms of their geomorphic condition
b) To map the patterns of river dynamics at different reaches and to understand
the causative factors
c) Generation of stream power distribution pattern of various reaches of the
Ganga river and analysis of its variation in the Ganga River
d) To determine the effects of river energy and sediment supply as controls on
channel morphology
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39. e) To assess the hydrological-geomorphological-ecological relationships to
develop tool for monitoring river health and sustainable river management
based on River Styles Framework.
f) To define environment flow for different reaches on the basis of geomorphic
conditions.
6.3 Approach and Methodology
One of the first exercises would be to divide the Ganga River basin into distinct
hydro-geomorphic zones based on topography and primary geomorphic domain.
There is some basic classification available (e.g. Tandon et al., 2008) which can be
refined for use for the present study. It is expected that team members from
different institutions would cover different reaches of the river following a uniform
methodology and all data will be compiled for synthesis and analysis.
6.3.1 Mapping geomorphic condition and river dynamics of the river
Geomorphic mapping will make extensive use of satellite images coupled with
ground truth verification. It is proposed to use IRS LISS IV images for mapping the
entire stretch of the Ganga following a common mapping strategy. The present-day
geomorphic condition would be assessed from the latest set of images whereas the
dynamics of the channel morphology and floodplain modifications would be
assessed from comparative analysis of the older images of Landsat, IRS and
topographic sheets for the last 30-40 years depending upon the availability of data
and maps. Changes in channel configurations as well as channel positions would be
mapped and their influence on habitat in each zone would be investigated. Data will
be presented in the form of a series of maps.
Channel planform measurements will include the computation of channel sinuosity
and braiding indices for the reaches around each selected site (Friend and Sinha,
1993). We will also measure the changes in these parameters through time and the
time intervals for this analysis will depend upon the data/maps available. Cross
sections of the river at each selected site will be obtained from CWC and different
cross-sectional form parameters will be computed. It will also be useful to get the
latest data from the ‘hydraulic group’ generated through field survey in some
representative reaches. Hydro-geomorphic analysis will focus on generating some
indices to define the geomorphic condition of the channel reaches. These indices
will combine the morphological measurements and hydrological parameters. This
analysis will also assess the geomorphic impacts of the human interventions on the
river system particularly in the form of engineering projects. An assessment will
also be done of the future projects being planned in the upper reaches of the Ganga
river if the necessary data for the same is provided.
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40. Study of some of the topologic characteristics of the river networks, like spatial
variation of sinuosity of active and paleo-channels, spatial distribution of
confluence zones, etc. will be carried out. The Vector Digital SOI Toposheets (1:50k
or 1:25k) will be required for that purpose. Given the short time frame of this work,
if this data could not be made available, the analysis will be performed on the
drainage network extracted from DEM. A shape and size based classification of
water bodies extracted from RS data will be done and validated by field
investigations. The results will be delivered in the form of a water body map.
6.3.2 Generation of stream power distribution pattern
Specific stream power can be calculated using channel slope, discharge and
channel geometry data and methodology will be followed after Jain et al. (2006).
For channel slope, long profiles will be derived for the river course through
manipulation of Digital Elevation Model (DEM) data using ESRI ArcGIS. The DEM
data will be clipped to the catchment area of the Ganga River and then filled to
ensure there are no sinks in the data. Subsequently, flow direction and flow
accumulation grids will be produced in the GRID module of ArcInfo. A long
profile AML (Arc Macro Language) will be used to produce a database file
containing x, y coordinates and the corresponding downstream distance (km),
height (m) and contributing area (m2) which will be graphed using Microsoft
Excel. Using the long profiles and DEM data, valley slopes will be measured.
Peak discharge data should be provided by the Central Water Commission (CWC) for
flood frequency analysis and for developing catchment area-discharge relationship
for different return period floods in the Ganga River basin. Discharge-area
relationship will be used to replace discharge by catchment area in the calculation
of stream power. Channel width for each reach will be determined from high-
resolution satellite data and some random sites will be verified in the field.
Computed total stream power will be divided by channel width data to get the
specific stream power for different reaches. Downstream distribution of total stream
power and specific stream power based on the average basic hydrological
characteristics for the Ganga River will be analysed for understanding the energy
distribution along the river.
Further, discharge variation due to presence of barrages will be analysed through
seasonal discharge data at downstream of barrages. This discharge data will be
used to determine effect of barrage based discharge variation on the stream power
of the river system. It will help to assess the effect of anthropogenic structures on
the ability of river to carry out geomorphic work.
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