Environmental Flow (e-flow) Latest News
Recently, the Union Jal Shakti Minister led a comprehensive meeting focused on the environmental flow (e-flow) of the Ganga River and its tributaries.Â
About Environmental Flow
- Environmental flow refers to the quantity, timing, and quality of water flow required to sustain freshwater ecosystems and the livelihoods that depend on them.
Problems in Indian Rivers e-Flow
- In recent decades, extensive interventions in river flow—such as the construction of dams and barrages, pollution, and encroachments—have severely impacted the ecological balance of rivers.
- To address these issues, the concept of "Environmental Flow" has been introduced, emphasizing the need to maintain a minimum water flow to ensure the health of river ecosystems.
Significance of Environmental flow
- It is critical for maintaining the ecological integrity of rivers and their estuaries.
- E-flow also ensures significant benefits for human welfare, especially in areas where water use is highly competitive and regulated.
- E-Flow studies consider the habitat and flow requirements of key fish species to ensure the survival of aquatic life and balanced river flow.
- This contributes to long-term ecological and economic benefits for society.
Source: PIB
Environmental Flow (e-flow) FAQs
Q1: What is the environmental flow concept?
Ans: Environmental flows are the quantity and timing of water flows required to maintain the components, functions, processes and resilience of aquatic ecosystems and the goods and services they provide to people.
Q2: Which ministry launched e-flows?
Ans: The Union Jal Shakti Ministry
