1. Irrigation: River interlinking projects aim to transfer water from surplus river basins to water-deficit regions, improving irrigation in drought-prone areas. This can potentially increase agricultural productivity and food security.
2. Cost-Effectiveness: Supporters argue that river interlinking can provide cost-effective solutions for addressing water scarcity and drought-related challenges.
3. Drought Mitigation: Historically, river linking has been proposed as a solution to mitigate enduring droughts in various parts of India, helping alleviate water stress during dry periods.
Cons:
1. Environmental Impact: Critics argue that river interlinking can have significant ecological consequences. It may change groundwater levels, introduce invasive species, and reduce sediment deposits downstream, potentially harming ecosystems and biodiversity.
2. Rainfall Disruption: New research suggests that large-scale river interlinking could disrupt rainfall patterns, leading to decreased rainfall in already water-stressed regions. This could exacerbate water stress and drought conditions.
3. Imbalance in Soil Moisture: River interlinking may create imbalances in soil moisture across different basins. While some areas may see increased moisture, others could experience declines, affecting local agriculture and ecosystems.
4. Climate Change Uncertainty: The research does not factor in the potential effects of climate change on river interlinking. Climate change could further complicate the consequences of these projects on rainfall and water availability.
5. Disputes and Delays: Implementing river interlinking projects has been slow and contentious, with disagreements between states over water availability and basin capacity. This can lead to delays and disputes in project execution.
6. Ecological and Wildlife Impact: River interlinking projects may result in the submergence of valuable natural habitats and wildlife reserves, leading to habitat loss and potential harm to endangered species.
Overall, river interlinking projects have both potential benefits in terms of irrigation and addressing drought and significant drawbacks related to their environmental and climatic impacts. Policymakers must carefully consider these pros and cons when planning and implementing such projects.
SRIRAM’s
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