Water – types and uses

The Interlinking of Rivers (ILR) project in India, part of the National Perspective Plan (NPP), aims to move water from areas with surplus water to regions facing shortages. This ambitious project plans to connect 30 rivers, with 14 links in the Himalayan region and 16 in the Peninsular region.

  • Prospects of River Interlinking in India
    • Improved Water Availability: River interlinking can improve water availability in drought-prone regions by creating a network of interconnected rivers and reservoirs. This can help in the storage and distribution of water for agricultural, industrial, and domestic use.
    • Increased Hydropower Generation: By creating a network of interconnected rivers and reservoirs, river interlinking can help generate hydropower, increasing the country’s capacity to meet the rising demand for electricity.
    • Flood Control: River interlinking can help manage excess water during the monsoon season by storing water in reservoirs, reducing flood damage and protecting human lives and properties.
    • Employment Generation: The construction and maintenance of the river interlinking project can generate significant employment opportunities in both skilled and unskilled sectors, including industries such as construction, engineering, and transportation.
    • Improved Environmental Management: The project can improve environmental management by addressing changes in biodiversity and water quality. With proper environmental safeguards, it can help conserve water resources and restore degraded ecosystems.
    • Improved Inter-State Relations: Promotes cooperation among states, resolving water-sharing disputes and ensuring equitable water distribution.

Challenges of the River Interlinking Project in India

Way forward

Environmental Challenges:

  • Disruption to wildlife habitats eg. Ken-Betwa submerging 98 sq. km. of Panna Tiger Reserve.
  • Wetland Loss: Wetlands that clean water and support wildlife may be destroyed.
  • Deforestation: Building dams and canals can lead to loss of forests and animal habitats.

Climate Change Adaptation

  • Develop strategies to adapt water management to climate change impacts.
  • Combine effective water distribution with sustainable agricultural practices to minimize water wastage.

Environmental Protection

  • Conduct comprehensive Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA) for each project.
  • Strike a balance between development and ecological preservation, using past examples like the Farakka Barrage for reference.

Institutional Framework for Dispute Resolution

  • Establish a National Commission for Basin Management to ensure cooperation between the Centre and States.
  • Focus on grievance redressal and ensure fair representation of all parties.

Water Sharing Mechanism

  • Strengthen the legal framework to address interstate water disputes efficiently.
  • Set up an institutional mechanism to monitor river basins and ensure equitable water distribution.

Agricultural Reform

  • Shift focus from water-intensive crops by revising minimum support prices.
  • Promote sustainable farming practices that align with regional water availability.

Social Challenges:

  • Large-scale displacement of local populations
  • Water Disputes: States may argue over how to share the water, leading to conflicts.

Legal Challenges:

  • Constitutional Issues: Water is a state subject, so obtaining consent from all states is necessary for the project.
  • Difficulties in environmental Clearances.
  • Problems in land acquisition.

Financial Challenges:

  • High implementation costs eg. Ken-Betwa project at ₹44,605 crore
  • Ongoing maintenance costs also add to the financial burden.

Political Challenges:

  • Opposition from Some States: Some states are not happy with the project and may block it.
  • Changes in Government can slow down decisions and disrupt the project.

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