Why is India's Ken-Betwa Link Project said to be disastrous?. Should we go ahead with this project?.

The Ken-Betwa river linking project will be the first river linking project in the country. Under the project, excess water from the Ken river will be transferred to Betwa river through a series of dams and barrages. Long term effects of river linking
  • Shortage of water The water that is called ‘excess’ is not actually excess. It plays a major role in maintaining hydrology of the region by recharging groundwater. On longer run, there will be shortage of water in the basin.
  • Ecology of region Many plants and animals prosper in the river basin depending on the water availability. Sudden changes in water levels will be detrimental to lives of several species.
Potential benefits of the project
  • Irrigation Large area can be irrigated by executing the Ken-Betwa link project. The crop output will increase and over-dependency on rains can be avoided.
  • Economic development Economic prosperity will follow whenever the income levels of the people increase. This can only take place if rural income grows.
Concerns
  • Drowning of forests Construction of dams and barrages will drown a large area of forests. The Panna National Park will lose large area due to construction of dam and canals.
  • Displacement of people Many indigenous tribals live around Ken-Betwa catchment area. The construction of dams can drown their farms and house. They will have to be relocated.
Thus, river linking is a novel idea but it has its own set of problems. There has to be an alternative mechanism for equitable water distribution.


POSTED ON 01-01-2022 BY ADMIN
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