14-01-2013, 03:58 PM
Socio-Environmental impacts
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ABSTRACT
The demand of water and its related services increased with growing population and rising economic status.Dams have been seen as an effective way of meeting water and energy needs. The reason behind construction of these large dams is to produce hydropower besides providing continuous flow of water for irrigation and domestic purposes. In recent years, many questions are raised about existing dams. It is therefore become difficult to plan new dams. The second half of century has been proliferation of large scale river valley projects (nearly 65%) in developing countries. These projects are often multipurpose so as to meet various needs such as flood control, irrigation and production of hydropower. There are about 37,500 dams over the world of over 15m height. The increasing population and improved living standards creates extra pressure for food production, industrialization and economic growth. People opposed to dams have commonly argued that dams cause severe damage to our environment. To maximize the positive impacts and mitigate the negative environmental, social and economic impacts sustainability of water resources projects is required. In this research paper, an overview of positive and negative impacts associated with development, exploitation and management of water resources projects such as hydropower is discussed.
INTRODUCTION
The second half of century has been proliferation of large scale river valley projects (nearly 65%) in developing countries. These projects are often multipurpose; so as to meet various needs such as flood control, irrigation and production of hydropower. There are about 37,500 dams over the world of over 15m high (WCD, final report 2000). The increasing population and improved living standards creates extrapressure for food production, industrialization and economic growth.
Much more dams are needed to regulate water cycle and provide reliable source and water supply.
Hydropower is commonly used indirect method of converting solar energy to useful work or electricity.
Need for water resources projects was stressed in presidential address given to Indian National Institute of Sciences by PhysicistMaghanandSaha. In 1954 Indian first Prime Minister inaugurated the Nangal canal as a part Bhakra Multipurpose Projects, described dams as modern temples of India. Dams were not only engineering marvels but are progressive steps towards national economic development and flood hazard control.
According to ICOLD (International Commission on large dams more than 37,500 large dams over 15m
height exist worldwide except china. An average of 344 dams per year was constructed. India have more
than 1550 large dams, the maximum being in state of Maharashtra around 600 followed by Gujarat, M.P. The modern culmination of use of water power is huge hydroelectric dams, where water under high pressure flows through channels, driving turbo generation. The amount of power generated is proportional to both the height of the water behind dam (that is to provide the pressure) and the volume of water that flows through. Hydropowergenerates 17% of electrical power through the world and is far the most common form of renewable energy. Waterpower is basically a non polluting energy source harnessing it by means of hydroelectric dams still involve significant environmental impacts.
WATER RESOURCE PROJECTS
MULTIPURPOSE RIVER VALLEY PROJECTS
Multi-purpose river valley projects have dams built on rivers. The water blocked is used for domestic purposes, irrigation, industries, navigation and to generate hydroelectric power. Above all, these projects help in preventing soil erosion and floods.
Some major River Valley Projects are as follows:
Damodar Valley Project :
Damodar Valley Project is a joint venture of Jharkhand and West Bengal. The project sets an example towards managing our water resources on scientific lines. Before completion of this project, flood in Samovar River caused damage to thousands of people and loss of property worth crores of rupees every year.
The Bhakra-Nangal Project:
Bhakra-Nangal Project is a joint venture of Punjab, Himachal Pradesh and Haryana. Under this project, two dams have been constructed over the river Satluj. They are the Bhakra Dam and the Nangal Dam. The Bhakra-Nangal Project is an example of water management on scientific lines on the largest scale.
The other dam is 12 km downstream at Nangal. Under this project 1100 km long canals and 3100 kms long distributaries irrigate 14 lakh hectares of agricultural land. The project generates 1204 MW of electricity annually.
Hirakund Project:
It consists of three dams including the Hirakund Dam, the largest dam in the world across Mahanadi in Orissa. The canals have the capacity to irrigate 10 lakh hectares of land.
There are two power houses that have helped the steel plants, fertilizer plants and other heavy industries. It has a length of 4801 metres with 21 kilometres long dykes on both sides of the river. Its reservoir stores 8100 cubic metres of water. Its canals irrigate 2.51 lakh hectares of agricultural land. The total power generation capacity of its power house is 270 MW of hydro-electricity every year.