Topics Covered: Statutory, regulatory and various quasi-judicial bodies.
National Interlinking of Rivers Authority (NIRA)
What to study?
For Prelims: NIRA- key objectives and functions, important ILRs.
For Mains: Need for and significance of ILR projects, concerns associated.
Context: The Central government is working on the establishment of an exclusive body to implement projects for linking rivers- To be called the National Interlinking of Rivers Authority (NIRA).
Functions of NIRA:
- It is expected to take up both inter-State and intra-State projects.
- It will also make arrangements for generating funds, internally and externally.
About National River Linking Project (NRLP):
The NRLP formally known as the National Perspective Plan, envisages the transfer of water from water ‘surplus’ basins where there is flooding to water ‘deficit’ basins where there is drought/scarcity, through inter-basin water transfer projects.
Significance: It is designed to ease water shortages in western and southern India while mitigating the impacts of recurrent floods in the eastern parts of the Ganga basin.
ILR Projects in India:
As of now, six ILR projects — the Ken-Betwa, Damanganga- Pinjal, Par-Tapi-Narmada, Manas-Sankosh-Teesta-Ganga, Mahanadi-Godavari and Godavari-Cauvery (Grand Anicut) — have been under examination of the authorities.
With regard to the peninsular rivers, the Centre has chosen to focus on the Godavari-Cauvery link than the earlier proposal to link the Mahanadi-Godavari-Krishna-Pennar-Cauvery rivers.
Issues and Concerns:
Interlinking of rivers is a very expensive proposal. It will adversely affect land, forests, biodiversity, rivers and the livelihood of millions of people.
- Interlinking of rivers will lead to destruction of forests, wetlands and local water bodies, which are major groundwater recharge mechanisms.
- It causes massive displacement of people. Huge burden on the government to deal with the issue of rehabilitation of displaced people.
- Due to interlinking of rivers, there will be decrease in the amount of fresh water entering seas and this will cause a serious threat to the marine life.
Insta link:
Prelims link:
- Important ILR projects in India and geographical locations.
- Various National Parks and Tiger Reserves mentioned in this regard.
Mains Link:
Interlinking of rivers may address the issue of paucity of water but poses a serious threat to the indigenous ecological diversity of the said rivers. Comment.
Sources: the Hindu.
