Study Challenges Effectiveness of India's River Interlinking Projects

• 09 Oct 2023

A new study questions the efficacy of India's river interlinking projects, which were touted as a solution to water stress, citing their potential negative impact on monsoon cycles and hydro-meteorological systems.

Key Points

• Interlinking Projects under Scrutiny: The study challenges the long-standing belief that India's river interlinking projects could alleviate water stress by transferring water from surplus river basins to arid regions.
• Flawed Assumptions: Contrary to the assumption that river basins operate independently, the study reveals that they are interconnected through complex feedback loops between the land and the atmosphere.
• Ecosystem Impact: The study also points out that excess irrigation due to water transfers caused soil moisture depletion, leading to reduced rainfall and increased temperatures across central India.
• Global Implications: The research underscores the importance of considering the interconnectedness of river basins in large-scale hydrological projects globally.
• Water Stress in India: India, one of the most water-stressed countries globally, faces challenges from climate change, declining groundwater levels, and urbanization.
• The current per capita water availability is decreasing and erratic monsoon patterns exacerbate floods, droughts, and water stress.
• National Perspective Plan (NPP): India's NPP for inter-basin transfer envisions transporting 174 billion cubic meters of water annually through extensive canal and reservoir systems.
• While it promises benefits like increased irrigated areas and hydropower generation, the study questions the merit of these claims.
• Environmental Concerns: Activists and experts advocate for a thorough evaluation of the ecological and environmental impact of inter-basin water transfers.
• Previous research has warned about the potential disruption of ecological networks and aquatic systems.
• Balancing Objectives: Inter-basin water transfers pose dual objectives of meeting water demands and maintaining ecological sustainability.
• The study emphasizes the need to understand complex hydro-meteorological systems and carefully consider the consequences of such projects on water security and climate resilience.