SOCIO-ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT OF WATER

RESOURCES PROJECTS

Based on a presentation by Mr Pradeep KumarDirector, National Water Academy

(The views expressed are his own and may not necessarily belong to NWA)

Water resource projects

• Multipurpose river valley projects• Major irrigation projects / canals• Inter-linking of rivers

Why do we need these projects?

Our population is growing

The country’s population which was over 1027 million in 2001 AD is expectedto reach a level of around 1390 million by 2025 AD. Our water demand is growing Agriculture

Production of food grains has increased from around 50 million tons in the fiftiesto about 208 million tons in 1999-2000. This will have to be raised to around 350 million tons by the year 2025 AD. Industry

Domestic

Domestic and industrial water needs have largely been concentrated in or near major cities. However, the demand in rural areas is expected to increase sharplyas the development programmes improve economic conditions of the rural masses. Power generation

Demand for water for hydro and thermal power generation is alsoincreasing substantially.

Some facts

• Among Asian countries, India has the largest arable land, which is close to 39 per cent of Asia’s arable land. Only United States of America has more arable land than India

• India produces 50% of world’s mango, 19% of banana, 36% of cashewnut, 38% of cauliflower, 28% of green peas

• Presently, a small percentage of farm produce is processed into value added products. The level of processing for fruits and vegetables is envisaged to increase from the present 2.2% to 10% and 15% in 2010 and 2015 respectively.

• While the gross irrigation potential is estimated to have increased from 19.5 million hectare at the time of independence to about 95 million hectare by the end of the Year 1999-2000, further development of a substantial order is necessary if the food and fiber needs of our growing population are to be met with.

As a result, water, which is already a scarce resource, will become even scarcer in future. This underscores the need for the utmost efficiency in water utilisation and a public awareness of the importance of its conservation.

WATER RESOURCES PROJECTSENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS

CONSTRUCTION PHASE BENEFICIAL IMPACTS

• Socio – economicEmployment generatedLesser migration to citiesDevelopment of infrastructureCompensation given to people who lose their lands

• BioticCompensatory afforestation (green belt created on the periphery of reservoir in the case of multi-purpose river valley projects)

CONSTRUCTION PHASE ADVERSE IMPACTS

• Socio – economicDisplacement of peopleLoss of livelihood that they have been used toLoss of monuments (some cases)

• BioticSubmergence of forest land (in the case of multi-purpose river valley projects)Effects on flora and fauna due to construction activity

Forest area in the country is mainly being lost due to conversion of forest land into agricultural land.

We should also note that forests

are being affected due to many

reasons,including

ENCROACHMENTSGRAZING FODDER SHIFTING CULTIVATION FOREST FIRES DIVERSION OF FOREST LANDFUELWOOD

A total of 1343346.622 hectares of forest area in the country were

encroached upon as on 31st March 2004

OPERATION PHASE BENEFICIAL IMPACTS

Socio – economicIrrigation allows for improved crop productionIncreased power generationImproved water supply through the yearFlood moderationImproved groundwater rechargeTourism

BioticIncreased aquatic life in reservoirIncrease in migratory birds

OPERATION PHASE ADVERSE IMPACTS

PhysicalWater logging and salinityGreenhouse gas emissions

(methane emissions from submerged forests)Increase in production of water intensive crops Change in sediment loads through the course of the river and at

the delta

BioticAquatic life affected due to differential temperature and flow ratesChange in natural ecosystem

Management of major environmental impacts

Submergence of forests by multi-purpose river valley projects

Compensatory forestry(as per Forest Conservation Act 1980) is a part of all water resources projects

In several large projects like Narmada Sagar and Sardar Sarovar, alternative lands allocated for compensatory afforestation

Management of major environmental impacts

Health Aspects Water related disease such as Malaria, and Filariasis can spread through stagnant or slow moving water in the irrigation command area. These vectoral risks can be substantially reduced by• better health management plans and the setting up of good health centres in

high risk areas (usually included in project cost)

• Improvement in water supply and sanitation ensuring continued maintenance of drains and canals and efficient water management

Surveys have shown that the improved economic status of people has made them more health conscious and capable of availing requisite health care.

Management of major environmental impacts

Flora and fauna In some cases like Dudhganga in Maharashtra, sanctuaries are relocated to suitable places in order to preserve the natural wildlife

Management of major environmental impacts

Fish/Aquatic Life Fish ladders are provided to facilitate migration of fish from downstream of the dam to upstream regions.Reservoirs are good fish rearing groundsSome new species can be reared in newly created environmentsSome species reappear after years of disappearance

Management of major environmental impacts

Mineral Deposits, Historical Monuments Mineral wealth and monuments protected by constructing ring bunds or by exploiting resources before inundation.

Historical monuments that were to submerge in the reservoir created by the Nagarjuna Sagar dam were excavated before impoundment and shifted toa museum on top of a nearby hill

Management of major environmental impacts

• Good management measures need to be adopted• Good pricing policy• Remunerative water saving schemes• Assured irrigation• Crop insurance• Education• Conjunctive use of ground water• Assured electricity

Water-logging (caused due to over irrigation when water supply improves after construction of a dam)

ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT PLANContains details of safety measures in the project area

Lists key persons responsible for its implementation

also includes Disaster Management Plan

Components of EMP• Resettlement and Rehabilitation Plan• Environmental safeguards (management) during construction activities• Plan for restoration of quarry areas/burrow areas and areas for dumping excavated material.• Compensatory afforestation plan along with cost benefit analysis

• Forest management including action plan for improvement of quality (like density, naturalness) and quantity (extent) of forest in low forest cover districts/areas which are served by the water resources project

• Plan for green belt (other than catchment area).• Reservoir rim treatment plan • Comments/observations/recommendations of Chief Wildlife Warden in- case Wildlife habitat/migratory path exists within 7 Kilometers of project site• Conservation plan for affected flora/fauna including rehabilitation plan for

rare/endangered species including action plan for alternate breeding ground and access corridor for food and shelter.

• Index map of catchment areas with yearly target (physical & financial).• Action plan for control of irrigation induced water logging, salinity etc including strategies

and policies with choice of species/crop for optimum use of water for agriculture to reduce adverse impacts of excessive irrigation including water logging.

• Action plan for command area development in respect of irrigation potential.• Watershed management• Ground water management including harnessing of ground water in conjunction with

surface water.• Land use management with special emphasis on water logging problem

Components of EMP

• Management of flora and fauna in the connecting basins as well as along the link including action plan for alternate breeding grounds.

• Alien flora and aquatic weeds management• Wetland management• Protection of sensitive and archeological monument sites• Action plan for health delivery systems• Post project environmental monitoring plan• Disaster Management plan including risk and dam break analysis• Provision of free fuel to labour

Components of EMP

ConclusionsGenuine environmental impacts need to be managed to the extent possibleSometimes there are misconceptions and a process of dialogue and education needs to be

adoptedWe need to focus on sustainable development