Model Answer
0 min readIntroduction
The Inter-linking of Rivers (ILR) project is a large-scale civil engineering project that proposes to transfer water from water-surplus basins where there is a surplus of water to water-deficit basins where water is scarce. Conceived in the 19th century by Sir Arthur Cotton, the idea gained prominence post-independence, with the National Water Development Agency (NWDA) being established in 1982 to conduct feasibility studies. The project aims to address the uneven distribution of water resources across India, enhance irrigation potential, and mitigate the impacts of droughts and floods, ultimately contributing to food security and economic development. However, its implementation has been fraught with challenges, including environmental concerns and inter-state disputes.
Main Features of the Inter-linking of Rivers Project
The ILR project is broadly categorized into two components: the Himalayan component and the Peninsular component.
- Himalayan Component: This involves linking rivers originating from the Himalayan region. It focuses on storing monsoon runoff in reservoirs and transferring it to the Ganga and Brahmaputra basins. Key links include the proposals to link the Manas-Sankosh-Teesta rivers and the Ghaghara-Gandak rivers.
- Peninsular Component: This involves linking rivers in the southern part of India. It aims to transfer water from surplus rivers like the Godavari and Krishna to deficit rivers like the Cauvery and Pennar. This component is further divided into several sub-components based on the river basins involved.
- National Water Grid: The project envisions creating a national water grid to facilitate the transfer of water across the country. This grid would consist of a network of canals, reservoirs, and pumping stations.
- 30 Links Identified: The NWDA has identified 30 links under the ILR project, categorized as major, medium, and minor links, based on their scale and complexity.
- Implementation Agency: The National Water Development Agency (NWDA) is the primary agency responsible for planning and implementation of the ILR project.
Probable Advantages to Indian Agriculture
The ILR project holds significant potential benefits for Indian agriculture, addressing several critical challenges.
- Enhanced Irrigation Potential: The project aims to create additional irrigation potential of approximately 87 million hectares, significantly boosting agricultural productivity. (Source: NWDA reports, knowledge cutoff 2023)
- Drought Mitigation: By transferring water from surplus basins to deficit areas, the project can help mitigate the impacts of droughts, ensuring a more stable water supply for agriculture. For example, linking the Ken-Betwa rivers is expected to alleviate drought conditions in the Bundelkhand region.
- Flood Control: The construction of reservoirs under the ILR project can help regulate river flows and reduce the incidence of floods, protecting agricultural lands and minimizing crop damage.
- Increased Agricultural Productivity: A reliable water supply will enable farmers to adopt more intensive cropping patterns and increase their yields, contributing to overall agricultural productivity.
- Groundwater Recharge: The project can facilitate groundwater recharge through canal seepage and reservoir storage, improving the availability of water for irrigation and other uses.
- Hydroelectric Power Generation: Reservoirs constructed under the ILR project can also be utilized for hydroelectric power generation, providing a clean and renewable energy source for agricultural operations.
- Improved Navigation: Some of the canals constructed under the project can also be used for navigation, facilitating the transportation of agricultural produce.
The following table summarizes the key benefits:
| Benefit | Description |
|---|---|
| Irrigation | Creation of additional irrigation potential of ~87 million hectares. |
| Drought Mitigation | Water transfer from surplus to deficit basins. |
| Flood Control | Regulation of river flows through reservoir construction. |
| Productivity | Increased crop yields due to reliable water supply. |
| Groundwater | Enhanced groundwater recharge. |
However, it’s important to acknowledge the challenges. These include high costs, environmental impacts (loss of biodiversity, displacement of communities), and inter-state disputes over water sharing. The Ken-Betwa link project, for instance, has faced opposition from environmental activists due to its potential impact on the Panna Tiger Reserve.
Conclusion
The Inter-linking of Rivers project represents a bold attempt to address India’s water challenges and enhance agricultural productivity. While the potential benefits are substantial, successful implementation requires careful planning, robust environmental safeguards, and effective inter-state cooperation. A phased approach, prioritizing projects with minimal environmental impact and strong consensus among stakeholders, is crucial. Furthermore, integrating the project with other water management strategies, such as micro-irrigation and rainwater harvesting, will maximize its effectiveness and ensure long-term sustainability.
Answer Length
This is a comprehensive model answer for learning purposes and may exceed the word limit. In the exam, always adhere to the prescribed word count.