Assam proposes flood‑zoning law to regulate riverbank land use

The state government of Assam announced a draft bill that would create flood‑zoning regulations for land situated along the banks of its major rivers. The proposal seeks to classify riverbank zones based on flood vulnerability and to prohibit new construction, mining or other land‑use changes in high‑risk areas.
Officials say the measure is intended to curb the recurring damage caused by annual floods that displace thousands and destroy crops and infrastructure. The draft outlines penalties for violations and provides for a review committee to monitor compliance.
The bill will be presented to the Assam Legislative Assembly later this month for debate. Stakeholders, including local farmers and real‑estate developers, have been invited to submit feedback during a public consultation period slated for the next two weeks.
If passed, the law could align Assam’s flood‑management strategy with similar zoning frameworks adopted in other flood‑prone Indian states, enhancing coordination between the state’s disaster‑management authority and local bodies.