Intro (Micro Notes):
• River Interlinking = network of reservoirs & canals transferring water from surplus to deficit basins
• Proposed by National Water Development Agency (NWDA) – 30 links, 14 Himalayan, 16 Peninsular
• Goal: address spatial-temporal water imbalances in India
Potential Benefits (Multi-dimensional):
1. Drought Mitigation:
• Transfer of surplus water (e.g., Brahmaputra, Mahanadi) to deficit areas (e.g., Bundelkhand, Marathwada)
• Enhance irrigation – 35 million ha additional irrigable land (NWDA est.)
2. Flood Management:
• Divert flood waters (e.g., Ganga, Brahmaputra) to dry regions
• Reduce flood damages in Bihar, Assam
3. Navigation Enhancement:
• Interconnected waterways improve inland water transport
• National Waterway-1 (Ganga) + proposed links like Ganga–Cauvery
• Reduced logistics cost, eco-friendly transport
4. Hydropower Generation:
• Himalayan links = 34,000 MW potential
Critical Concerns:
1. Ecological Impact:
• Biodiversity loss (e.g., Ken-Betwa project threatens Panna Tiger Reserve)
• Alters natural flow regimes
2. Displacement & Social Cost:
• Large-scale submergence, displacement of tribal communities
3. Interstate Conflicts:
• E.g., Mahanadi (Odisha-Chhattisgarh), Krishna-Godavari disputes
4. Economic Feasibility:
• Cost-intensive: Est. ₹5.6 lakh crore
• High maintenance & land acquisition costs
5. Climate Change Factor:
• Changing rainfall patterns may render “surplus-deficit” logic obsolete
Conclusion (Micro Notes):
• River interlinking offers long-term water security, navigation, and flood control, but with serious ecological, social, and political trade-offs
• Viability depends on scientific planning, consensus, and sustainability focus
• Decentralized watershed & demand-side management must complement interlinking
