Terms of References
Development of Floodplain Management Plan
1. Introduction
A ‘floodplain’ is a flat or nearly flat area of land adjacent to a river or stream which is prone to flooding when the
water level rises during times of high discharge, such as after heavy rains. Floodplains provide a range of valuable
ecosystem services, especially in flood risk reduction by storing excess flood water and then slowly releasing it
back into the river system and into the groundwater aquifers. This has the effect of reducing the peak height and
speed of the flood discharge, so reducing the damage that may be caused downstream. Floodplains also act as
spawning and rearing ground for many river fish species during the times of flood and as the high water recedes.
The floodwaters also bring nutrient rich sediment, which covers the flooded ground so making it particularly
fertile for agriculture after the waters recede. The conservation and restoration of wetlands play an important
role in reducing the losses from floods.
2. Study Area
The Indus Basin River System drains one of the largest river basins in the Asia. There are a number of barrages
and several major dams constructed on this river system, which provides the backbone to one of the largest
irrigation systems of the world. The Indus River, in addition to a source of water for wide range of uses in also
home to a number of endangered species and the threatened riverine habitat. In order to protect the diverse
biological resources and the associated threatened habitat, provincial governments have notified a number of
protected areas along the Indus River. A few of these areas are also designated as Ramsar Sites as well including
Taunsa Barrage wildlife Sanctuary and Indus Dolphin Game Reserve, which is also part of the Central Indus
Wetland Complex (CIWC).
3. Project
Funded by the Department for International Development (DfID) under the Global Poverty Action Fund (GPAF),
for a period of three years, this project (Improving Livelihoods of Fisher Communities of Central Indus Wetlands
Complex) is being implemented by WWF-Pakistan in the entire stretch of Central Indus (approx. 500 km long)
covering Taunsa Barrage Wildlife Sanctuary, Kot Mithan – Chachran Site and Indus Dolphin Reserve. The two
protected areas are also the Ramsar Sites (Wetlands of global significance).
This project focuses at improving the livelihoods of at least 2,100 households (17,000 people) of fishermen at
three project sites through addressing the poverty-environment nexus. One of the components of this project is
to develop the floodplain management plan, as this region is flood prone and was heavily affected during 2010
floods.
4. Duration of the Consultancy
The maximum duration of the study is two months (from the signing of the contract) that include extensive
fieldwork, and meetings with the local stakeholders. May 30, 2015 is the end date of this consultancy.
5. Project Location
The project location is Taunsa Barrage Wildlife Sanctuary, Kot Mithan – Chachran Site and the Indus Dolphin
Reserve (Guddu Barrage to Sukkur Barrage)
6. Reporting
The consultant will report to the Project Manager / Senior Programme Manager, WWF-Pakistan.
7. Terms of References of the Flood Risk Management Study
a) Review literature about Central Indus Section and especially the flood affected areas from Taunsa
Barrage to Sukkur Barrage (approx. 500 km long stretch)
b) Document traditional knowledge of management of floodplains
c) Collect information about Hydrology, flood risk assessment and economic valuation of the wetlands
from the studies being conducted by WWF-Pakistan
d) Define the planning process for the development of plan and public participation programme
e)
f)
g)
h)
Define the goals and objectives of the floodplain management plan
Describe the flooding history of the region
Field visit for collection of information and meeting with relevant stakeholders
Define flood hazard identification and risk assessment, which includes flows, flood hazard risks, flood
maps, locally identified hotspot flood areas, information about vulnerable structures and loss
estimates.
i) Capabilities Assessment (Government structure, facilities available with the government, floodplain
management programme by the government, emergency flood response, alert flood warning system)
j) Define current and proposed preventive measures against the floods
k) Define a mitigation plan and a monitoring plan (Floodplain management issues, actions and
recommendations)
l) Include GIS based maps of the study area
m) Present a final floodplain management plan by the end of the consultancy period.
8. Deliverables
a) A plan, with an action plan and implementation plan
b) Maps of the project area, with complete assessment of infrastructures and floodplains