Interlinking of Rivers—Advantages, Challenges, and Solutions

Context:

• This article is based on an Editorial “What is the Ken Betwa Link Project; which regions will benefit from it?” which was published in the Indian Express.
• After six years of provisional approval, the Ken-Betwa Link Project (KBLP) finally obtained the necessary forest clearance.
• Interlinking of Rivers is the interbasin water transfer from the water surplus rivers to water deficit rivers or regions.

Interlinking of Rivers: Ken-Betwa Link Project

• Unique: It is the first project under the National Perspective Plan for interlinking of rivers.
• Aim: To transfer water from Ken river to Betwa river, both tributaries of the Yamuna river.
• Location: The Project is located in Bundelkhand, a drought-prone region across 13 districts in Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh.
• Expected Benefits: Annual irrigation potential of 10.62 lakh hectares, Drinking water supply to approximately 62 lakh people and Hydropower generation capacity of 103 MW.

Also read: The Dynamics of the Kaveri River Water Dispute

What are the associated Concerns with the Ken-Betwa Link Project?

• Legal Approval Questions: The KBLP hasn’t been proven necessary for wildlife improvement and management as required by Section 35(6) of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.
• Ultra Vires Approval: The Central Empowered Committee (CEC) of the Supreme Court has suggested that the wildlife approval granted by NBWL exceeded legal authority.
• Adverse Impact: Its potential destructive impact on the ecology and habitats, particularly in the Panna Tiger Reserve and downstream Ken Gharial Sanctuary, is a significant concern. 

What are the advantages of Interlinking of Rivers?

• Maintain Hydrological balance by efficiently transferring water from flood-prone to drought-prone regions through interlinking of rivers.
• Enhanced Inland Navigation, and would provide a cost-effective and environmentally friendly mode of transportation, easing pressure on roads and railways.
• By irrigating around 35 million hectares of water-scarce land in the western peninsula, it can boost crop outputs, farm incomes, create jobs, and enhance India’s food security.
• Power Generation with an estimated total power generation capacity of 34 GW. 
• Benefits like resolving drinking water scarcity, supporting fisheries, reducing forest fires, etc.

What are challenges in Interlinking of Rivers?

• Impact on Monsoon Cycles: A study in Nature Communications highlights 12% decrease in mean rainfall in September across arid regions due to surplus irrigation from interlinked basins.
• Inter-Connection of River Basins: The study also emphasizes that river basins are interconnected through feedback loops between land and the atmosphere, and changes in one basin can affect neighboring basins, impacting climate patterns and water availability.
• Human Impact: The project poses a significant challenge of displacing and disrupting the livelihoods, especially of impoverished and tribal communities residing near forests.
• Financial Burden: The interlinking project is a high-cost endeavor and current costs are likely much higher, affecting the overall cost-benefit ratio unfavorably.
• Ecological Concerns: Excess irrigation from transferred water can lead to drying of soil moisture, contributing to declining rainfall and increased temperatures across central Indian regions. 

What are the best solutions for interlinking of rivers?

• Adoption of Virtual Water Trade (VWT) route to address worldwide water distress.
• Development of a Clear Road Map by the government to mitigate the Environmental, Ecological and Climate Change challenges {based on study by the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)}.
• Time to ensure a sustainable future by identifying, protecting and enhancing recharge areas.
• Need of Comprehensive Water Law covering the solution and resolution mechanism of all the issues and problems arising out before installing the Interlinking of rivers projects.

Conclusion:

The Ken Betwa Link Project is a big step in connecting rivers to solve water problems. While it brings benefits like more water for farming and power, we must be careful about impact on nature through interlinking of rivers.thus, balancing river connections with protecting the environment is crucial for a better future.