Water Management – Institutional Reforms, Conservation Efforts, etc.

The Dam Safety Act of 2021

Prelims Only | Enviro & Biodiversity | Mains Paper 3: Disaster Management
Note4Students

From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :

Prelims level: Features of the Dam Safety Act, 2021

Why in the News?

The Supreme Court has criticized the Union government for its inaction in fully implementing the Dam Safety Act, 2021, nearly five years after its enactment.

What is the Dam Safety Act of 2021?

Details Enacted to ensure the structural and operational safety of over 5,700 large dams in India.

Objectives (Section 3):
• Prevent dam-related disasters by ensuring dam safety.
• Establish institutions for monitoring, maintenance, and emergency preparedness.
Structural Mandate
  • National Committee on Dam Safety (NCDS) (Sections 5–6): Chaired by the Chairperson of the Central Water Commission (CWC) and reconstituted every three years to develop policies, guidelines, and standards.
  • National Dam Safety Authority (NDSA) (Section 9): Implements NCDS guidelines, regulates dam safety standards, and resolves disputes between State Dam Safety Organizations (SDSOs) and dam owners.
  • State Committees on Dam Safety (SCDS) (Section 14): Provide state-level oversight.
  • State Dam Safety Organizations (SDSOs) (Section 15): Monitor and inspect dams at the state level, reporting to NDSA.
Other Provisions:

 
  • Responsibilities of Dam Owners (Section 38):  Form Dam Safety Units, prepare and implement Emergency Action Plans (EAPs), and conduct regular Comprehensive Safety Evaluations (CSEs).
  • Emergency Preparedness (Section 39):  Mandatory EAPs for rapid response in emergencies.
  • Penalties for Non-Compliance (Section 45):  Imprisonment up to two years, fines, or both for failing to comply with Act provisions.

Why is Dam Safety a priority concern in India?

  • Third-Highest Number of Dams Globally: India has over 4,407 large dams, following China and the USA.
  • Aging Dams: By 2025, over 1,115 dams will be more than 50 years old; By 2050, 4,250 dams will surpass 50 years of age, with 64 dams exceeding 150 years.
  • Decreasing Storage Capacity: Sedimentation reduces reservoir efficiency, affecting water availability for irrigation, drinking, and hydropower. Ex. Bhakra Dam has experienced 139.86% higher siltation rates than estimated, reducing its lifespan.
  • Structural Vulnerabilities: Poorly designed sedimentation management systems make many dams structurally weak over time. Extreme environmental events, such as floods, can exacerbate these vulnerabilities.
  • Lack of Data and Monitoring: Insufficient documentation of storage loss, sedimentation rates, and other critical metrics leads to a lack of preparedness.

PYQ:

[2018] Suppose the Government of India is thinking of constructing a dam in a mountain valley bound by forests and inhabited by ethnic communities. What rational policy should resort to in dealing with unforeseen contingencies?

[2019] What is common to the places known as Aliyar, Isapur and Kangsabati?

(a) Recently discovered uranium deposits

(b) Tropical rain forests

(c) Underground cave systems

(d) Water reservoirs

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