Water Resources
MULTI -PURPOSE RIVER PROJECTS AND
INTEGRATED WATER RESOURCES MANAGEMENT
Hydraulic Structures in Ancient India
In the first century B.C., Sringaverapura near
Allahabad had sophisticated water harvesting
systems channelling the flood water of the river
Ganga.
• During the time of Chandragupta Maurya, dams,
lakes and irrigation systems were extensively built.
• Evidence of sophisticated irrigation works have
also been found in Kalinga, (Odisha),
Nagarjunakonda (Andhra Pradesh), Bennur
(Karnataka), Kolhapur (Maharashtra), etc.
• In the 11th Century, Bhopal Lake, one of the
largest artificial lakes of its time was built.
• In the 14th Century, the tank in Hauz Khas, Delhi
was constructed by Iltutmish for supplying water to
the Siri Fort area.
What are Dams?
•A “dam” is a structure that interrupts the flow of water, often resulting in the
formation of a lake, reservoir, or impoundment. The term “dam” typically refers to
the body of water it creates, not the structure itself.
•Most dams feature a component known as a spillway or weir, designed to allow
water to flow over or through it, either continuously or intermittently.
•Dams are classified according to structure, intended purpose or height. Based on
structure and the materials used, dams are classified as timber dams, embankment
dams or masonry dams, with several subtypes.
•According to the height, dams can be categorized as large dams and major dams or
alternatively as low dams, medium height dams and high dams.
•Dams were originally constructed to capture river and rainwater for later use in
irrigating farmland
• As a result, dams are now known as multi-purpose Purpose of dam
projects, signifying the integration of the various uses of
the stored water.
• For example, in the Sutluj-Beas river basin, the Bhakra F - Flood Control
– Nangal project water is being used both for hydro R - Reservoir
power production and irrigation. Similarly, the Hirakud I - Irrigation
project in the Mahanadi basin integrates conservation of E - Electricity generation
water with flood control. N -Navigation
• Post-independence, multi-purpose projects were D - Domestic Purpose
initiated, embodying a comprehensive approach to
managing water resources.
• These projects were seen as the driving force that
would propel the country towards growth and
advancement, helping it break free from the constraints
of its colonial history.
• Jawaharlal Nehru, with immense pride, referred to
these dams as the ‘temples of modern India’.
• The reason behind this was the belief that these projects would harmonize the
development of agriculture and rural economy with the swift industrial growth and
expansion of the urban economy.
•Bhakra Nangal Dam – Concrete gravity dam , Himachal Pradesh
•Hirakud dam – Odisha , built across Mahanadi river.
A spillway or weir is a structure used to provide the controlled release of water downstream
Hoover Dam
Opposition Of Multipurpose projects
Geographical Reason
•Regulating or Damming rivers affect natural flows
•Excessive Sedimentation at the bottom
Resulting rockier stream beds
•Poorer habitats for aquatic life,
•Submergence of existing vegetation and Soil
Dams
Unsuccessful in controlling floods at the time of rainfall.
Eg; Release of water from dams
Lead to destruction of property,
Soil Erosion and Land degradation
And it would also cause water borne diseases and pests
Social Movements:
•Narmada Bachao Andolan/Save Narmada Movement
•Tehri Dam Andolan
•A NGO that mobilised tribal people, farmers,
environmentalists and human rights activists against
the Sardar Sarovar Dam being built across the Narmada
river in Gujarat.
It originally focused on the environmental issues
related to trees that would be submerged under the
dam water.
•Sardar Sarovar Dam has been built over the Narmada
River in Gujarat.
This is one of the largest water resource projects of
India covering four states—Maharashtra, Madhya
Pradesh, Gujarat and Rajasthan.
•The Sardar Sarovar project would meet the
requirement of water in drought-prone and desert
areas of Gujarat (9,490 villages and 173 towns) and
Rajasthan (124 villages)
Social Impact of Dams Salinization of
Large Scale Displacement Unfair share of sacrifice Soil
Irrigation Changed Cropping Pattern
[More production of water intensive crops, which leads to impact of food
security, same time of vitamins intake, affecting our health at last]
Transformation of social Landscape
The gap between rich and poor increased even
more
•Same water Resources but different resources [Farmers-
Irrigation,
Urban Areas- Water supply, Industries-Hydropower electricity
generation]
Eg; Agitation by Farmers in Gujrat, Sabarmati basin over water
supply priority given to Urban Areas
Interstate Dispute of Water [Kaveri river water dispute]
Disadvantages of Multi - purpose dams:
•Sedimentation in the reservoir
•excessive rainfall
•Soil erosion
•Overuse of water
Ukai Dam
•The Ukai dam was constructed in 1972, flood control
was one of the objectives of the dam's construction.
After the dam was constructed 90 km upstream from
Surat, there were no major floods until 1994. The
floods of 1978 and 1979 were effectively managed by
the [Link] is built on Tapi river.
• On 3 August 2006 morning there was heavy rainfall
the water reservoir was getting filled and had reached
the prescribed level of 333.60 feet The inflow at the
dam was 85,958 cfs on 5 August 8 am, then rose to
330,216 cfs on 6 August 8 pm. On the morning of 7
August it became 853,679 cfs. By that time the
reservoir was already 90% full, leaving very little empty
space left to accommodate the floodwater coming from
upstream. The inflow was still increasing. The peak
inflow during the flood was about 1,200,000 cfs, but it
lasted only for two hours. Then the gates were opened
this caused a floods in Maharashtra and Gujarat
Never underestimate the
Usefulness of temporary
Solutions.
Sarvesh Jain
