Question

In recent years the multipurpose projects and dams have come under great scrutiny." analyse the statement citing appropriate examples.

Answer 1

Dear Student,
Many multi-purpose projects and dams have come under scrutiny and opposition due to various reasons. Some of the important reasons are:

1. Projects like Sardar Sarovar Project and the Tehri Dam Project have faced opposition from the locals because of the displacement of local communities. Movements like 'Narmada Bachao Andolan' and 'Tehri Dam Andolan' have resisted the projects because the locals have lost their land holdings and thus their livelihoods.
2. Forests and wild-life gets submerged and this damage is irreversible or measurable.
3. Dams and reservoirs alter the sedimentation of the rivers. There is excessive sediment deposit at the reservoir and the lower reaches have a rockier river bed. This is because dams and reservoirs to a large extent sieve the river off its sediment transport. The rockier beds in turn hamper the aquatic life in the rivers.
4. The migration of aquatic fauna is hindered due to dams.
5. In floodplains, large areas are submerged due to reservoirs and this leads to soil decomposition and fertility is washed away over a period of time.

Regards