| PYQ Relevance: Q) The interlinking of rivers can provide viable solutions to the multi-dimensional inter-related problems of droughts, floods, and interrupted navigation. Critically examine. (UPSC CSE 2020) |
Mentor’s Comment: UPSC mains have always focused on Benefits of interlinking of rivers in (2020), and ‘Advantages and challenges of River water linking ’ in (2017).
On December 25, 2024, Prime Minister Narendra Modi started the Ken-Betwa River Link Project to address water shortage in the Bundelkhand region, covering parts of Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh. The project includes building a dam inside the Panna Tiger Reserve, causing worries about flooding the area. It plans to connect the Ken River, believed to have extra water, with the Betwa River to help the drought-hit Bundelkhand region, which had 58% forest cover back in 1938.
Today’s editorial talks about the challenges of the river linking project and what could the alternatives to address the water scarcity in India. This content can be used in GS mains paper III to substantiate the argument related to river water linking projects.
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Let’s learn!
Why in the News?
Political leaders need to understand that linking rivers causes significant environmental damage and harms rivers and deltas in the long run.
What are the environmental consequences of river interlinking projects?
- Ecosystem Disruption: The construction of dams and canals can lead to the submergence of critical habitats, particularly in sensitive areas like the Panna Tiger Reserve. This threatens biodiversity and disrupts local ecosystems that depend on natural water flow patterns.
- Altered Hydrology: Diverting rivers can change the natural hydrological cycle, affecting groundwater recharge and leading to increased salinity in deltaic regions.
- This can have dire consequences for agriculture and local livelihoods, as seen in the case of the Indus Delta.
- Loss of Eco-services: Rivers provide essential services such as sediment transport, nutrient cycling, and habitat support for various species. By treating river water as a mere resource for transfer, these projects overlook the ecological roles rivers play in sustaining biodiversity and maintaining soil fertility.
How do river interlinking initiatives affect local communities and socio-economic dynamics?
- Displacement and Livelihood Loss: Projects like the Ken-Betwa initiative can displace communities living in affected areas, leading to the loss of homes and agricultural land. The Daudhan Dam alone is expected to submerge around 9,000 hectares of land, impacting numerous villages.
- Water Access Disparities: While these projects aim to provide irrigation and drinking water to drought-prone areas, they may inadvertently prioritize certain regions over others, exacerbating existing inequalities.
- Economic Dependency on Infrastructure: There is a risk that local economies become overly dependent on these large projects, which may not deliver sustainable benefits. The anticipated prosperity from such initiatives may not materialize if ecological degradation occurs or if the projects do not function as intended.
| What alternatives exist to address water scarcity without compromising ecological integrity? • Integrated Water Resource Management (IWRM): This approach emphasizes the need for holistic management of water resources by involving local communities in decision-making processes. It focuses on sustainable practices that balance human needs with ecological health. • Modern Irrigation Techniques: Implementing efficient irrigation methods such as drip irrigation can significantly reduce water usage while maintaining agricultural productivity. Israel’s success in this area demonstrates the potential for technology to enhance water efficiency without large-scale environmental disruption. • Rainwater Harvesting and Watershed Management: Encouraging local practices like rainwater harvesting can help communities manage their own water resources sustainably. This method enhances groundwater recharge and reduces dependence on external water transfers. |
Way forward:
- Promote Sustainable Water Management Practices: Implement Integrated Water Resource Management (IWRM) with community participation, modern irrigation techniques like drip irrigation, and local solutions such as rainwater harvesting to reduce dependence on large-scale projects.
- Prioritize Ecological and Social Impact Studies: Conduct comprehensive studies on the environmental and social consequences of river interlinking projects to ensure sustainable development and protect biodiversity, livelihoods, and deltaic ecosystems.
