Question

Why do we seek to build large dams?

Answer 1

Hint: A dam is a boundary across streaming water that hinders, coordinates, or retards the stream, frequently making a repository as opposed to a structure. Dams are classified according to height, structure, and intended purpose.

Complete answer:
Traditionally, dams were built to impound rainwater and rivers that could later be used to irrigate agricultural fields. Today, dams are built not just for irrigation but also for other various purposes fish breeding, electricity generation, inland navigation, water supply for domestic and industrial uses, flood control, and recreation. This is the reason why dams are now known as multi-purpose projects where the various uses of them are integrated with one another. For example, in the Mahanadi basin, the Hirakud project integrates flood control with the conservation of water. Similarly, the Bhakra-Nangal project water is being used both for irrigation and hydel power production in the Sutlej-Beas river basin.
With their integrated water resources management approach, multi-purpose projects launched after independence were considered as the vehicle that would lead the nation to progress and development, overcoming the handicap of its colonial past. Jawaharlal Nehru gladly announced the dams as the 'sanctuaries of present-day India'; the explanation for saying this was that it would incorporate fast industrialisation and development of the metropolitan economy with the improvement of farming and the town economy.

Note:
In recent years, large dams and multi-purpose projects have come under great opposition and scrutiny for a variety of reasons. Since it affects the aquatic life of the rivers and also decomposes the vegetation and soil over a period of time. Various new environmental movements have also been created because of these multi-purpose projects, like the ‘Tehri Dam Andolan’ and the ‘Narmada Bachao Andolan’.