River Interlinking projects
The ambitious river interlinking project of India's rivers is once again in discussion, this project was lying in cold storage for the last several years, but the present government has given green signal to its first phase. In the first phase, the Ken river, also known as Karnavati in North India, will be connected to the Betwa river, both of which are tributaries of the Yamuna, for which a 22-km-long canal will be built. Both the rivers flow over a large area of Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh. It is worth mentioning that under this project, about 6.5percent of the forest area of the sanctuary will be acquired We know that the main factor of rainfall in India is the south-west monsoon which usually lasts from June to October in the summer season.The uncertainty of monsoon often leads to floods or droughts. After two consecutive years of drought, most regions of India are facing the latter this year. With the aim of solving the problem of flood and drought, the present government has started the first phase of the project connecting rivers across the country. Due to this, no special step could be taken in this direction.In fact, the $ 87 billion National River Interlinking Project has done 60 rivers across the country.Will add The main objective behind this project is to connect the rivers originating from the Himalayas with the rivers of South India, so that the availability of water can be ensured in the areas facing water crisis. i.e. water surplus basin areas
To transport water to water scarce areas. Here the word surplus refers to the surplus water of the river left after meeting the needs of irrigation, domestic consumption and industries etc. In this way the primary objective of this project is to address India's water crisis.Under this project, about 3,000 big dams will be built and the natural course of 37 major rivers will be changed. About 15,000 km long canals will be dug in this, which will displace about 174 cubic km of water. That much water is enough to supply water to 100 metros like Delhi or Mumbai throughout the year)In the present project, there is a plan to connect Ken-Betwa Tapti Narmada, Damanganga-Pinjal and Mahanadi Godavari rivers. A National Perspective Plan was prepared for this project. In the feasibility report prepared by the National Water Development Agency under the National Perspective Plan,30 river links were identified which included 16 Peninsular components and 14 Himalayan components. Preparation of Detailed Project Reports on four sub-projects on priority basis has been initiated.Based on the consent of the respective states, 'Ken-Betwa Link Project' was proposed inthe first phase and Damanganga-Pinjal Link and Par-Tapi-Narmada Link Project for the second phase,out of which various statutory technical and economic approvals were given to the first phase.and the second stage is still in the technical evaluation stage. Apart from Kerala, no state has denied the Interlinking of Rivers program.Comprehensive benefits of this project are being told which include post control, hydropower generation and settlement of irrigation problems of farmers facing water crisis etc. It is believed that the successful operation of this project
After this, the farmer will not be dependent only on rain for farming. Also,the barren lands which were not cultivated due to lack of irrigation system. They can be cultivated with water supply after this project. Itis worth mentioning that under the present project, about 87 million acres of land will be brought under irrigation, which will not only improve the economic and social condition of the farmers due to higher yield but will also ensure food security. In India, the problem of drought and drought often persists due to uneven monsoon.In such a situation, due to the distribution of water level through the river interlinking project, there will be no risk of floods, because due to their interlinking, the rainwater will be transported to the water-stressed areas from the high water rivers. Similarly, in times of drought, the damage caused by transporting water from one river to another can be avoided (water crisis has been observed mostly in the west and south regions of India. These areas are often drought prone. Where as North and East India Due to the excess of monsoon, there is a crisis of floods.Canals and dams will be built to connect these rivers, which will increase hydropower generation manifold. India needs clean energy for development which will improve the social and economic condition,especially in rural areas) Although a lot can be done withthis project but in opposition to
Voices are rising too. It is believed that the project of interlinking of rivers can create a big economic crisis on the country.Connecting the huge rivers of a country like India with other rivers will not be easy and if India does so it will require technical excellence and availability of economic resources) Not only this,we know that every river and the biological community living in it has It has its own ecosystem. Mixing it with any other river system will directly affect biodiversity. Then this project will require a large coastal area.For example, the current Ken-Betwa link will affect an area of about 200 square kilometers of Panna Tiger Reserve.According to the data suggested by the Delhi-based South Asian Network on Dams, Rivers and People, about 1.5 million people will be displaced by this project. In addition,27.66 lakh hectares of land will be used for canal construction and dams. Natural forests established in an area of 104,000 hectares in this land will also come under its grip.(2 In such a situation, the government does not have these displaced people. (The problem of resettlement will have to be faced. Questions are also being raised on the studies done by the 'National Water Development Authority'. According to experts, the data taken to declare rivers as surplus or deficit rivers is currently irrelevant. As for the Ken-Betwa link, both are at the same level in terms of water availability. A wrong study may invite a major crisis. Irrigation of most of India's area is dependent on ground water.Total irrigated by dams Only about 16 percent of the area is irrigated. 70% of the area is dependent on ground water. Forests, wetlands and local water bodies, which are the main factors for recharging ground water,are also likely to be damaged due to this project.In such a situation, the ground water will become
The agriculture dependent on them may face a crisis. Opponents of this project believe that in a country like India, more water is spent than it is not produced. In such a situation, there is a need to spread awareness about water conservation among the people. Interlinking of rivers that have not tampered with the natural flow of rivers will reduce the supply of freshwater falling into the oceans, which can increase the salinity of the oceans. This can pose a threat to marine life and ecosystems. According to the Shah Committee,interlinking of rivers will reduce the natural nutrients available to agriculture from the land.However, despite the protests, the present government has taken the first step in this direction. In such a situation, it would be appropriate to take a look at the challenges before the government.India is home to 18 percent of the world's population but has only 4% of the world's water resources. Apart from this, most of the agriculture in India which is dependent on ground water. It will be a big challenge for the government of India to pass on the benefits of dams to it. Major Hydroelectric Projects in India Practical Although large amounts of water can be collected on the mountain waterways of major rivers, this area is limited in the neighboring countries of Nepal, Bhutan, and the Himalayan and north-eastern states of India (and not all states are in favor of dams). Apart from these, there is already a dispute between different states in India over the sharing of river resources. This project is expected to increase these disputes. From the point of view of climate change, the glacier may not survive its present condition for long.If found, connecting these rivers may befutile. Also rivers usually change their course once in about 9 years. So even if some rivers change their course after river projects, the present project is irrelevant.
Although the river interlinking project can prove to be beneficial for the country, yet as a security, the government should do research on all the subjects related to it, as well as pay attention to other options available.As the falling ground water level in India is the biggest problem of today's time.Efforts should be made to increase it, apart from this, people should be made aware about water 1 conservation. This includes developing better methods of agriculture and irrigation and reaching the farmers. There is a need to make a national policy for the protection of rivers by declaring them as national heritage. These rivers will have to be desilted. Along with the promotion of tree plantation along the rivers, the catchment area of the forests will have to be increased. Also, proper disposal should be made mandatory before dumping the waste water from industries and cities into the rivers. The need of the hour is to make our water management institutions more empowered, accountable and transparent. Apart from this, use of canal for water security, a. Growing the right crop in the right area, drip irrigation and promotion of traditional methods of farming. The 'River Interlinking Project' is a big challenge as well as a big opportunity. It is a project affecting the lives of millions of people along with forest, land, biodiversity. This project is the water crisis arising out of climate change. But to make this project a success This requires a detailed study so that the ill effects of this project can be minimized. neither
