Published on 02 Feb 2025
The interlinking of rivers in India refers to a proposed project that aims to transfer water from surplus river basins to deficit areas to address regional water scarcity issues.
Feasibility of river interlinking
Technical feasibility: Examining the technical aspects of river interlinking is crucial. It involves the construction of canals, reservoirs, and other infrastructure.
Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA): River interlinking projects need rigorous EIAs to evaluate their impact on ecosystems, biodiversity, and local communities.
Legal and Inter-State issues: Interlinking rivers often involves multiple states and can lead to inter-state water disputes.
Financial viability: Financial assessment based on economic implications, cost-benefit analyses, and potential sources of funding for river interlinking.
Climate change considerations: With climate change affecting precipitation patterns, there will be potential impact on river flows and the long-term sustainability of interlinking projects.
Public opinion and stakeholder engagement: River interlinking might also include massive displacement and other issues. Thus, local communities, NGOs and expertise have to be included.
Opportunities in river interlinking
Water availability augmentation: Involves diverting excess water from one river basin to another, addressing local water shortages.
Example: Damanganga-Pinjal Project diverts the water to Pinjal Reservoir, boosting Mumbai's supply, and reducing dependency on local sources.
Irrigation and drought mitigation: Transferring surplus water from water-surplus regions to water-deficit regions can alleviate drought-prone areas and enhance agricultural productivity.
Example: Ken-Betwa River Link Project: This project aims to transfer water from the Ken River to the Betwa River, benefiting people in the Bundelkhand region.
Hydropower generation: Constructing dams and reservoirs along interlinked rivers can create opportunities for hydropower generation, providing a renewable energy source.
Example: Godavari-Krishna Link contributes to hydropower potential, harnessing energy through dams and reservoirs developed for river interlinking.
Flood control: Managing the flow of rivers through interlinking can reduce the severity of floods and protect floodplain ecosystems.
Example: Proposed Ganga Yamuna linkage to reduce flooding in Ganga-Brahmaputra system
Improved navigation: Connecting Rivers through canals can improve inland waterways and facilitate transportation of goods and people.
Challenges of river interlinking
Environmental impact
Ecological disruption: Interlinking Rivers could alter ecosystems, affecting flora, fauna and submergence of land.
Example: Ken-Betwa River Link Project is expected to submerge over 6,000 hectares of forest land and displace several wildlife species in the Panna tiger reserve.
Water quality concerns: Diverting water between rivers may introduce pollution and contaminants, affecting downstream water quality.
Example: Ganga-Yamuna River linkage creates fear of further pollution of Ganga.
Social challenges
Displacement and resettlement: Construction of dams and canals could displace communities living in riverine areas.
Example: Tehri Dam, for example, displaced over 2,500 people.
Cultural and religious impacts: Interlinking Rivers could disrupt cultural and religious practices that are closely linked to rivers.
Example: Construction of Dams like Sardar Sarovar Dam, for instance, submerged several Hindu pilgrimage sites.
Political challenges
Interstate water disputes: Water is a state subject in India and interlinking rivers could exacerbate disputes, as states may be reluctant to share their water resources.
Example: Cauvery river dispute between Karnataka and Tamil Nadu
Economic challenges
High cost: Interlinking Rivers is a massive undertaking that requires significant financial investment.
Long-term viability: The long-term economic viability of interlinking rivers is uncertain, considering the costs of construction, maintenance, and environmental mitigation measures.
Way Forward
Decentralized implementation: Shift from a centralized national approach to regional interlinking considering specific needs and contexts within river basins.
Rigorous environmental assessment: Conduct comprehensive environmental impact assessments, considering long-term ecological consequences, before project approval.
Prioritize sustainable solutions: Focus on local water management techniques like rainwater harvesting, watershed development, and improved irrigation practices. Explore alternatives like interlinking tributaries within a basin or desalinization, considering their local context and feasibility.
Addressing socio-economic issues: Conduct social impact assessments to address concerns of communities displaced by projects and ensure fair compensation and rehabilitation plans for affected populations.
Geography
Interlinking of rivers
Feasibility of river interlinking
Opportunities in river interlinking
Challenges of river interlinking
General Studies Paper 1
Salient Features of Indian Geography
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