Question

"Narmada Bachao Andolan" raised issues of how constructions of big dams create environmental problems. Discuss 2 such issues.

Answer 1

Following are the environmental issues raised with the construction of big dams:
1. It affects the species living in that particular area and increases the likelihood of earthquakes.
Fertility of farmlands are also reduced as some nutrients remain behind the dam and thus does not reach downstream from the dam to farmlands. Dams in this case act as barrier between a farmland and the nutrients that it needs to be fertile. It also blocks fish migration.
2. Some forests and agricultural lands are demolished to increase navigability on the river. This could lead to more floods.