Water resources development of the Indo‐Nepal region

Abstract

There is no difference of opinion about the idea that development of water and hydroelectric power resources in the Indo-Nepal region would be of substantial mutual benefit to both countries. Any development in the region of Nepal and the Indian States of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar would be of considerable benefit to the people, as this region is one of the poorest in the world. Large projects have been discussed between the two countries for several decades. However, none of these projects has reached even the design stage. Consequently benefits from these projects will take at least two or more decades to reach the people. The present study was undertaken to understand the reasons for lack of progress in these projects. The problem is stated first, followed by a description of the physical features of the area under consideration. The water and power projects already undertaken and important projects which are being considered are discussed next. Several reasons for the lack of action, and the needs for research, are specified. The paper concludes with a set of recommendations.

Reviving the Ganges Water Machine: Accelerating surface water and groundwater interactions in the Ramganga sub-basin

“…The sediments form a thick set of unconfined and leaky aquifers at 1,500 to 2,000 m below ground level (bgl) with a varying proportion of sand, gravel and pebbles, and contain several layers of high-yielding aquifers (Prasad 1990;Rao and Prasad 1994). The few outcrops of consolidated formations can be seen in the north, west and northeast boundaries of the basin (CGWB 2011).…”

Assessment of long-term hydrogeological changes and plausible solutions to manage hydrological extremes in the transnational Ganga river basin

“…Hydrogeologically, the basin is filled with thick alluvial sediments deposited by the river and its distributaries. It forms a thick set (varies from 1,500 to 2,000 m bgl (below ground level)) of unconfined and leaky aquifers with varying proportions of sand, gravel, and pebbles with several layers of highyielding aquifers (Prasad 1994;MacDonald et al 2015). A few rocky exposures can be seen in the basin margins (north, west, and north-east) (CGWB 2011).…”

Hydrogeology of the Eastern Ganges Basin: an overview.

“…According to CGWB (2011), litho-units of Bihar are grouped as unconsolidated/alluvial formations, semi-consolidated formations and consolidated/fissured formations. Lithology of North Bihar shows that very deep alluvial deposits, from 1,500 to 2,000 m, with several layers of high-yielding aquifers exist in this region (Rao and Prasad 1994). These are in semi-confined and confined conditions, generally overlain by very thick unconfined aquifers.…”

“…The river's transport capacity may at times be exceeded due to the relatively high sediment yields from basins that alternate between dry and wet seasons (Wells and Dorr 1987). Rao and Prasad (1994) reported that Koshi and Gandak rivers, formed from snowmelt, have constant interaction with groundwater, which contributes to a substantial part of the flow of these rivers during the non-monsoon period. Groundwater found in the Terai region is both under confined and unconfined conditions.…”

“…The deep aquifer is formed by the lower granular zone. Granular zones occurring within the middle clay zones form intermediate aquifer whereas the upper shallow aquifer is composed of the granular zone (Rao and Prasad 1994).…”