Question

Which of the following ill-effects of building the Sardar Sarovar Dam triggered the formation of the Narmada Bachao Andolan (NBA)?

• A. Immense damage was caused to the plant and animal species of the forests.
• B. People were not given adequate compensation, neither in money nor in land.
• C. The dam could not irrigate as many fields as it was planned.
• D. Ecological damage caused was never compensated.

Answer 1

Answer: (A), (B), (D)

Ecological damage caused was never compensated.

The Sardar Sarovar dam in Gujarat was the largest dam planned on river Narmada. The dam forced the displacement of thousands of people and affected many more. The displaced communities were largely poor peasants and tribals who are often ignored when such large scale projects are undertaken.

The following factors played a major role in the formation of the NBA

• Large dams also cause immense damage to the forests including rare species of animals there.
• The resettlement and compensation provided to affected people were not adequate.
• Nobody cared about compensating for the ecological damage caused by the project.

This led to the people’s movement called ‘Narmada Bachao Andolan’ or NBA. Its major aim was to highlight the repercussions of the project.