Why In The News?

• The Central Government has directed the Assam Government to prepare a concept note for the restoration of 271 wetlands to divert flood water.
• The North East Space Application Centre (NESAC) has identified 271 wetlands in Assam that could be rejuvenated to manage floodwater.

Flood Management Plan :

=> The plan involves diverting three million cubic meters of floodwater to these wetlands during the flood season to prevent river bank overflow.

=> The Central Government has assure financial support for the restoration and diversion efforts.

Wetlands:

=> A wetland is a place where the land is coveredby shallow water.

=> Wetlands are defined as lands transitionalbetween terrestrial and aquatic eco-systems.

=> Marshes and ponds, the edge of a lake orocean, the delta at the mouth of a river—allof these are wetlands.

=> Wetlands are often referred to as “Earth’skidneys” because they provide the samefunctions, absorbing wastes such as nitrogenand phosphorous.

=> Wetlands can also absorb flood water duringthe flood season.

=> Central government and State governmentof Assam together have prepared a plan todivert flood water to wetlands during floodseason to control flood.

North-Eastern Space Applications Centre :

=> North-Eastern Space Applications Centre is a regional space centre established in 2000.

=> It is joint initiative of Department of space, Government of India and North Eastern Council.

=> Objective-to expedite the usage of remote sensing technology for development of Northeast.

=> Headquarter- Shillong