Question

Compare the advantages and disadvantages of multi-purpose river projects.

Answer 1

Hint: Dams, also referred to as multi-purpose river projects are barriers constructed on flowing rivers to use the water for various purposes like irrigation, electricity generation, water supply for domestic and industrial use, flood control, inland navigation, fish breeding, etc. These projects were launched after independence with their integrated water resources management approach for development in India.

Complete answer: 

The advantages of multipurpose dams include:

- Their capacity to generate hydroelectric power.
- Acting as a means of making surface water available at the place and time of demand.
- Creating new habitats through the reservoirs.
- Providing flood protection.
- Acting as a source of continuous supply of water for irrigation to the farmers.

The disadvantages of multipurpose dams include:
- Disruption of natural environmental processes.
- Massive loss of forests and wildlife.
- Permanent destruction of terrestrial ecosystems through inundation.
- Inducing water logging and salinity.
- Fisheries are also affected due to the barriers created.
- Displacement and resettlement of affected people.
- Causing increased pressure on residual forests and other common lands which further leads to accelerated degradation.

Note: Some large multi-purpose river projects in India include the Bhakra Nangal Project and Indira Gandhi Canal Project over the river Sutlej, the Chambal Project and the Jawahar Sagar Project over the river Chambal, the Damodar Ghati Project and the Durga Barrage Project over the river Damodar, the Farakka Project over the river Ganga, the Hirakud Project and the Mahanadi delta Project over the river Mahanadi, the Nagarjuna Sagar Project over the river Krishna, the Narmada Sagar Project and the Sardar Sarovar Project over the river Narmada and the Tehri Dam Project over the river Bhagirathi.