The
debate on inter-linking of rivers has been going on for over a long long time. Here’s
my take on the issue:
1. Ecological
angle: Every river
has a different biological, chemical and physiological characteristic that
harbour a different set of ecosystem. Linking of rivers across will kill the
ecosystem as invasive alien species will take over and the native species will
be subject to extinction. Further, the drainage into the sea/ocean will be
impacted and the estuaries that nurture the marine species will be destroyed.
This will cause a havoc in the marine ecosystem which is already impacted by
the increase in temp of the sea water.
2. Political
angle: Case of Kaveri
river - a natural flowing river- has led to inter state dispute. In case the
rivers are linked across States, it will increase the disputes among states on
sharing of water in the lower riparian areas.
3. Economic
angle: The agriculture
land is already diminishing due to the infrastructure development such as
construction of highways, dams, etc. Construction of canal for linking the
rivers will further reduce the agriculture land areas. This will further impact
the productivity from the agriculture land.
4. Environment
angle: The rivers in
India are in various stages of pollution. Linking rivers will only carry these
pollutants from one river system to the other causing a series of health
issues. Moreover, every river has a carrying capacity and overloading will
collapse the entire river system. With climate change looming large, it is
predicted that the water quantity in the river will reduce and so there would
hardly be much water left to transfer.
5. Social
angle: Rivers form
the basis of the social fabric so any action impacting that will be
disastrous.
Moreover,
the financial implication of such projects is really huge. Do we have the flexibility to
take this on when social sector like education, health, drinking water &
sanitation, electrification need more investment?
WHAT
is the SOLUTION?!
Am
sure more innovative measures can be identified that will protect our rivers
and sustain livelihoods of the people. There is already a lot of information
available on this. And this topic needs a strong debate and more deliberations
before being implemented.
Firstly,
the rivers need to be cleaned of the pollutants and purified to the extent
possible. This will also reduce the water borne diseases and will be beneficial
for agriculture.
Secondly,
the coverage area of agricultural land should be enhanced and the quality of
soil increased and climate resilient seeds promoted to ensure increased
productivity. The country should be able to feed the masses. Self-sufficiency
in agriculture should be the promoted. Non-farm sector should be encouraged to
generate employment. MNREGA has led to scarcity of agricultural labourers, and
this needs to be amended by making agriculture a part of MNREGA.
Thirdly,
the riverine and marine ecosystems needs to be protected as they are an
integral to the subsistence of a large number of population. Any drastic change
in these fragile ecosystem will not lead to extinction of species but will also
destroy the food chain of the humans. Environmental measures like protecting
the watersheds, the forest cover, should be taken up so that ground water can
be recharged.
Fourthly,
treatment plants should be made operational in the industrial sectors so that
the water discharged into the rivers doesn't carry toxic chemicals.
Fifthly,
social campaigns on saving the rivers from pollution should be undertaken on a
mass scale- like a movement!
