Recently, a Supreme Court judge has said the construction of dams on the Sutlej has turned the trans-Himalayan river into a rivulet, altering the entire ecosystem and eco chain.

• He emphasised the critical link between the health of India’s agricultural sector and its rivers.  He also elaborated on how climate change is also harming agriculture 

Sutlej River

• Origin: The Sutlej River originates in the Rakas lake near Mansarovar at an altitude of 4,555 m in Tibet where it is known as Langchen Khambab. 
• River Course:
  • The river enters India by flowing west and southwest through the Shipki La Pass in Himachal Pradesh at an altitude of 6,608 metres. 
  • The river then flows through Punjab near Nangal before meeting the Beas River. 
  • The merger of these two rivers goes on to form 105 Km of the India-Pakistan border. 
  • The river continues to flow for another 350 Km before joining the Chenab River.
  • The combination of the Sutlej and Chenab Rivers form the Panjnad, which finally flows into the Indus River.
• Length: The total length of the river is about 1550 km of which 529 km is in Pakistan.
• Tributaries: The Sutlej River has many tributaries, including Baspa, Beas, Nogli Khad, Soan and Spiti.
• Significance: It is a very important tributary of Indus and it feeds the canal system of the Bhakra Nangal project.
• Water from the Sutlej River has been allocated to India according to the Indus Waters Treaty of 1960. 
• There are various hydroelectric power and irrigation projects over the river like the Kol Dam, Bhakra Nangal Dam, Baspa Hydroelectric Power Project, and Nathpa Jhakri Project

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Importance of Rivers to Agriculture

• Primary Source of Irrigation:
• • Surface Water: Rivers provide a direct source of surface water for irrigation, crucial for crops like rice, wheat, and sugarcane.
  • Groundwater Recharge: Rivers help in recharging groundwater aquifers, which are extensively used for irrigation, especially in regions with inadequate surface water.
• Nutrient-Rich Sediments:
  • Soil Fertility: Rivers deposit nutrient-rich sediments on agricultural lands during floods, enhancing soil fertility and crop yields.
• Microclimate Regulation:
  • Humidity and Temperature Control: Rivers help maintain local microclimates, regulating humidity and temperature, which are vital for crop growth.

Challenges to River Health Affecting Agriculture

• Climate Change:
  • Erratic Rainfall Patterns: Unpredictable monsoons and altered rainfall patterns disrupt river flow, affecting water availability for irrigation.
  • Temperature Rise: Higher temperatures increase evaporation rates, reducing river water levels and increasing crop water requirements.
• Human Activities:
  • Over-Extraction: Excessive withdrawal of river water for agriculture, industry, and domestic use depletes river flow.
  • Pollution: Industrial discharge, agricultural runoff, and untreated sewage pollute rivers, degrading water quality and harming soil health.
  • Dams and Diversions: Construction of dams and diversion projects alter natural river flow, affecting downstream water availability.
• Soil Degradation and Erosion:
  • Deforestation: Clearing of forests for agriculture leads to soil erosion, reducing the land’s ability to retain water.
  • Riverbank Encroachment: Urbanization and construction along riverbanks disrupt natural water flow and sedimentation processes.

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Way Forward

• Raising public awareness about environmental laws, the effects of climate change and the need to adopt contemporary practices is the order of the day
• Establishment of a permanent commission in India, similar to the central think tank NITI Aayog, to develop comprehensive solutions to the problem.
• Promoting drip and sprinkler irrigation & Implementing watershed management practices to enhance groundwater recharge and soil conservation.
• River Restoration Projects:
• • Reforestation and Afforestation: Planting trees along riverbanks to prevent soil erosion and enhance water retention.
  • Wetland Conservation: Protecting and restoring wetlands to improve water quality and support biodiversity.
• Renewable Energy: Reducing reliance on hydropower projects that alter river flows by promoting renewable energy sources like solar and wind.