River Linking in India: Benefits and Environmental Challenges

Question: Not many years ago, river linking was a concept but it is becoming a reality in the country. Discuss the advantages of river linking and its possible impact on the environment. 
 

Answer: Water scarcity Water scarcity and climate change have forced India to embrace the concept of river-interlinking. Recently, in Polavaram or Pattiseema project arrangements were made to link Godawari with Krishna which will supply water to Krishna. But such project, if implemented at national level, requires careful study of its advantages as well as possible impact on the environment. 
 

River linking is joining of rivers of the country through network of canals and reservoirs. There are many studies to assess its advantages and adverse impact on environment. One such important study was done by the National Water Development Agency. In the light of many such studies, its advantage and impact can be understood. 
 

Advantages of River Linking 
 

India majorly depends on monsoon for water. About 70% or more rain occurs in 3 month from July to September of the year. This rains too does not follow uniform pattern. This explains why India is plagued by both: floods and droughts. They occur many a times simultaneously in different parts of the country. River linking is considered as a solution to this problem under which water will be transported from surplus region to deficient region.
 

• It will increase water use efficiency.
• It has potential to prevent and regulate floods. 
• It can mitigate drought.
• It can make water available in arid, semi arid and dessert regions. Where new land can be brought under irrigated agriculture and production can be increased many times.
• It can recharge groundwater and water reservoirs and new reservoirs can be created. 
• Through river linking, widely connected waterways can be developed which is more environment-friendly and cost – effective mode of transportation for cargo. 
   

Apart from advantages there can be various impacts also on environment:
 

[A] Positive impact
 

• Waterway transports are more environment-friendly and can decrease emission.
• Hydroelectric potential can be increased which is again a environment friendly source of energy.
• Supply of water to arid region may lead to growth in greenery and forest.
   

[B] Negative impacts
 

• For river linking projects many forest may be required to cut. 
• It can lead to disturbance of biodiversity hotspots and ecologically sensitive zones.
• This will link till-now unconnected ecological regions with river water channels. Many plant and animal species could be introduced to newer regions. Few of them invasive species of the newer regions. 
• Greater supply of water to arid regions may be unsuitable to soil and topography which may cause salinity to soil. Canal channels can also cause soil salinity alongside regions.
• There may be a big danger of change in river course due to charge of water flow which could prove an ecological disaster.
• Change in water-flow, floods and droughts pattern have potential to bring ecological disaster for species which are adapted for today’s conditions.
• Construction of reservoirs may inundate and submerge the regions. As the proposed Ken-Betwa linking project is expected to submerge large areas of Panna Tiger Reserve.
   

 

After going through advantages and impact, it is clear that a very detailed Environment Impact Assessment should be done. Only after meticulous cost benefit analysis, the large-scale river linking should be done. Till then water scarcity should be dealt with water conservation and rainwater harvesting.