1-Large Scale Surface Water Transfer - Hydrological and Other Issues.

Abstract

Our country is facing many complex issues in coping with the increasing demands for water from different sectors. In addition, the future projected population growth would require still higher quantum of water. For addressing these issues, new innovative approaches, both at regional and national level are required. The average annual utilizable 'rater resources potential of the country by conventional means is less than the projected future demand. It has been seen that even with cull possible improvement in water use efficiency and management practices, it is not possible to meet the future demands. Existing high regional imbalances in water availability and recurring problems of floods in some parts and at the same time drought in some other regions are well known. Large quantity off food water still remains unutilized. In order to meet the challenges posed by obliquity of water availability, transfer of water from the surplus areas to the deficit areas, has become a necessity. National Water Policy (2002) strongly advocates for making water available to water short areas by transfer from other areas including transfers from one river basin to another, based our a national perspective, after taking into account the requirements of the areas/basins: The process of inter-basin transfer of water and linking of rivers is not a new one. Many other countries have already adopted it successfully like in China, Canada, and the USA. In India also, there are projects in successful operation like Periyar, Parambikulam-Aliyar, Kadappa-karnool canal, Ravi-Beas-Sutlej-Indira Gandhi Nahar Project, Sardar Sarover Narmada Main Canal etc. In many large cities like Chennai, Mumbai, Delhi, and Hyderabad, water demands are met through inter-basin transfer of wafer. Inter-basin transfer of surface water is a concept, which has stemmed ,from the philosophy of devising a sustainable strategy against acute regional imbalances. Of the various proposals that were framed by different authors, the National Perspective Plan drawn up by the Ministry of Water Resources is under further study by the National Water Development Agency. Implementation of a project of such magnitude needs a coordinated approach towards consensus on water sharing/distribution, meticulous technical appraisal, conscious study on social implications and safeguards against possible environmental and ecological impacts.