Draft Policy on Sediment Management
While keeping the rivers in pristine condition is the ultimate goal, development of civilization has always been on the banks of the rivers, to utilise the blessings of the rivers and their waters. Dams and barrages have to be constructed across river courses in order to enable the society, slightly away from the rivers (thereby reducing the population pressure near the banks of the rivers) to utilise the water resources for their sustenance and share common sediment load. Therefore, sediment issues in dams, barrages and rivers cannot be dealt separately. For sensible and sustainable sediment management in rivers and reservoirs, it is necessary to adopt a silt management policy.