QUE.  River Linking Project is an appropriate approach to water management against multidimensional interrelated problems such as drought and floods. Critically examine.

ANS

The objective of the River Interlinking Project is to connect the rivers of India through a network of reservoirs and canals, which will facilitate the redistribution of the country’s water potential by sharing it. In addition, it will address the problem of water scarcity in some regions and recurring floods in others through proper water management.

• Opportunities in the River Linking Project:

• In India, most of the rainfall occurs in the northern and eastern parts of the country during the monsoon season (June to September), whereas the southern and western regions receive comparatively less rainfall. Therefore, the River Linking Project will ensure water availability in such regions throughout the year.

• The Ganga and Brahmaputra basins experience floods almost every year. Through the River Linking Project, excess water can be diverted to water-scarce regions, thereby addressing water shortages as well as helping in flood control.

• River linking will bring millions of hectares of cultivable land under irrigation, thereby reducing farmers’ dependence on monsoon rainfall.

• People residing along the interlinking canals will gain new employment opportunities such as fisheries and boating.

• The Interlinking Project will enable the generation of additional hydropower.

• River linking will promote the development of interstate waterways, thereby benefiting the transportation sector.

• Challenges Associated with the River Linking Project:

• The River Linking Project is a highly expensive project, which will increase the financial burden on the government.

• Linking rivers may require the displacement of forests and wildlife located along the proposed routes, leading to ecological imbalance.

• Due to the transfer of large volumes of water into smaller and weaker rivers, fertile land, rural populations, and tribal communities residing along their banks may face displacement and rehabilitation issues.

• Several states are involved in disputes over river water sharing; therefore, the River Linking Project may intensify interstate water disputes.

After conducting impact-based assessments and Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA) related to the River Interlinking Project, consensus should be achieved between the Central Government and the State Governments. Furthermore, along with large-scale projects such as river linking to reduce the impacts of floods and droughts, emphasis should also be placed on small-scale, decentralized water conservation programmes to meet local needs.