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Interlinking of Rivers: A Comprehensive Analysis

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On December 25, 2024, Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone for the Ken-Betwa River Link Project, highlighting the government's commitment to addressing water scarcity in Bundelkhand. This ambitious project is part of India's larger National Perspective Plan (NPP) for water resource management, initiated in 1980.

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Table of Contents

  1. Introduction

  2. Context

  3. Need for River Interlinking

    • Water Scarcity Management

    • Flood Control

    • Irrigation Expansion

    • Hydropower Generation

    • Drinking Water Supply

  4. Status of River Interlinking in India

    • National Perspective Plan (1980)

    • National Water Development Agency (1982)

    • Ken-Betwa Link

    • Other Proposed Links

  5. Challenges of River Interlinking

    • Environmental Impact

    • Ecological Disruption

    • Displacement and Social Impact

    • Economic Feasibility

    • Legal and Inter-State Disputes

    • Climate Change Risks

  6. Steps Taken by India

    • Ken-Betwa Link

    • National Water Development Agency (NWDA)

    • Inter-State River Water Disputes Act (1956)

    • National River Interlinking Authority (Proposed)

  7. Way Forward

    • Ecological Sustainability First

    • Alternative Water Management Strategies

    • Address Real Causes of Water Crisis

    • Legal Framework and Conflict Resolution

    • Community Participation

    • Regional Approach Over National

  8. Conclusion                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                

Introduction

India, home to diverse river systems, faces the dual challenge of recurring floods in some regions and chronic water scarcity in others. The interlinking of rivers (ILR) has been proposed as a solution to this paradox, aiming to redistribute water from surplus to deficit areas. The concept, however, is fraught with environmental, economic, and social challenges. This blog delves into the nuances of river interlinking, evaluating its necessity, feasibility, and implications in the Indian context, aligning closely with the UPSC Mains syllabus under topics such as environmental conservation, water resource management, and economic development.

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Need for River Interlinking

1. Water Scarcity Management

India's water demand is projected to reach 1,500 billion cubic meters (BCM) by 2050, while availability is expected to decline due to over-extraction and pollution. ILR aims to address regional imbalances:

  • Example: The Ken-Betwa link targets Bundelkhand, a drought-prone region, by transferring water from the Ken River, known for surplus water.

2. Flood Control

Floods cause annual damages worth ₹60,000 crore in India. ILR proposes to divert excess water from flood-prone regions to mitigate this issue:

  • Example: Diverting Brahmaputra's floodwaters could alleviate flooding in Assam and supply water to arid regions in Rajasthan.

3. Irrigation Expansion

Agriculture, accounting for 80% of India's water use, requires enhanced irrigation systems. ILR can bring an additional 35 million hectares under irrigation:

  • Example: The Godavari-Krishna link is expected to irrigate 1.5 million hectares in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.

4. Hydropower Generation

ILR projects can generate renewable energy, reducing dependence on fossil fuels:

  • Example: The Ken-Betwa project includes a 103 MW hydropower component.

5. Drinking Water Supply

Urbanization and population growth have exacerbated drinking water scarcity. ILR can ensure reliable water supply:

  • Example: The Damanganga-Pinjal link aims to supply drinking water to Mumbai.

Status of River Interlinking in India

1. National Perspective Plan (1980)

The NPP identified 30 river links, categorized into:

  • Himalayan Component (14 links): Includes projects like the Manas-Sankosh-Teesta-Ganga link.

  • Peninsular Component (16 links): Includes projects like the Ken-Betwa and Godavari-Krishna links.

2. National Water Development Agency (1982)

The NWDA was established to prepare feasibility reports for these projects. Key achievements include:

  • Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) for Ken-Betwa, Damanganga-Pinjal, and Par-Tapi-Narmada links.

3. Ken-Betwa Link

  • Cost: ₹44,000 crore.

  • Scope: Links Ken and Betwa rivers, affecting Panna Tiger Reserve.

  • Progress: Phase-1 started in 2022.

4. Other Proposed Links

  • Godavari-Krishna Link: Targets drought-prone regions in Andhra Pradesh.

  • Cauvery-Vaigai-Gundar Link: Aims to address water scarcity in Tamil Nadu.

Challenges of River Interlinking

1. Environmental Impact

ILR disrupts ecosystems, leading to biodiversity loss and deforestation:

  • Example: The Ken-Betwa project threatens the Panna Tiger Reserve, home to critically endangered species.

2. Ecological Disruption

Alters natural hydrological cycles, affecting deltas and silt deposition:

  • Example: Post-Sardar Sarovar Dam, Narmada’s reduced flow has harmed its delta.

  • Global Case: Aral Sea's diversion projects turned a flourishing lake into a desert.

3. Displacement and Social Impact

Large-scale submergence leads to displacement and loss of livelihoods:

  • Example: Over 100 villages face submergence due to the Ken-Betwa link.

4. Economic Feasibility

ILR involves exorbitant costs with uncertain returns:

  • Example: The NPP’s projected cost is ₹5.5 lakh crore.

5. Legal and Inter-State Disputes

Water sharing between states remains contentious:

  • Example: Long-standing disputes over Cauvery and Krishna rivers.

6. Climate Change Risks

Unpredictable rainfall patterns may render ILR unsustainable:

  • Example: Reduced monsoon rainfall in peninsular India raises concerns about water availability.

Steps Taken by India

1. Ken-Betwa Link

  • Phase-1 launched in 2022, addressing Bundelkhand’s water issues.

2. National Water Development Agency (NWDA)

Responsible for feasibility studies and DPR preparation.

3. Inter-State River Water Disputes Act (1956)

Provides a legal framework for resolving water disputes.

4. National River Interlinking Authority (Proposed)

Envisioned to oversee project execution and policy decisions.

Way Forward

1. Ecological Sustainability First

  • Prioritize Conservation: Focus on river health and biodiversity.

  • Conduct EIAs: Ensure thorough Environmental Impact Assessments for all projects.

2. Alternative Water Management Strategies

  • Watershed Management: Develop local solutions through rainwater harvesting.

  • Example: Rajasthan’s traditional stepwells (baolis) have proven effective in water conservation.

3. Address Real Causes of Water Crisis

  • Inefficiency and Mismanagement: Improve irrigation practices.

  • Example: Israel’s drip irrigation saves 25%-75% of water, promoting aquifer health.

4. Legal Framework and Conflict Resolution

  • Strengthen Dispute Mechanisms: Revise the Inter-State River Water Disputes Act with clear timelines.

  • Establish a National River Commission: For equitable water distribution.

5. Community Participation

  • Involve local stakeholders in planning and implementation.

  • Example: Successful watershed projects in Ralegan Siddhi, Maharashtra, driven by community engagement.

6. Regional Approach Over National

  • Focus on micro-level water management:

  • Example: Tamil Nadu’s Kudimaramathu scheme revitalized local water bodies.

Conclusion

The interlinking of rivers is a double-edged sword, promising solutions to India’s water crises while posing significant environmental, social, and economic challenges. A balanced approach prioritizing ecological sustainability, efficient water management, and stakeholder participation is crucial. As India strives for water security, ILR should complement, not replace, holistic and localized solutions. By learning from global and domestic experiences, India can craft a resilient water management strategy aligned with its developmental goals.

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