The National Water Development Agency carried out a detailed survey on interlinking rivers in 1992. The project was to have the country segmented into neat components of inter-basin transfer of water, from surplus basins to deficit ones. The project, but for one point where a lift and significantly large storage is envisaged — Inchampalli on the upper reaches of the Godavari — is based on gravity. Therefore, the assertion that “moving waters across river basins cannot be achieved without energy-intensive heavy lifts and destructive modification of ecologically important landscapes,” (editorial, March 1) is a bit inaccurate.
“Displacement” could be an argument against any change. In 1998, over 30,000 families migrated from Dharmapuri in Tamil Nadu because of acute water scarcity. India is rated by the UNDP as being water-stressed. Scientists argue that peninsular India is moving towards becoming a desert. Should this happen in the next 50 years, we will see migration that will make all African human disasters pale into insignificance.
S. Parthasarathy ,
Chennai
The court's direction to the Supreme Court on linking rivers is fraught with danger. Has its impact on the environment been thought of? Why can't governments ensure effective rain harvesting methods? Why is no priority given to harnessing flood waters? Why is not the building of deeper and larger reservoirs given priority?
Ranjith C.M. ,
Puducherry
The ILR project would involve diverting most rivers, whose waters are perceived to be flowing to the sea untapped. But it is a step that has huge ecological consequences. What would be the impact on mangrove belts and fish stock? Salt levels could rise.
Ramesh Raaj Katta ,
Hyderabad
At a time when we are facing erratic weather patterns, possibly because of man's activities, do we know what could happen if we diverted rivers? Why tamper with nature?
P. Gopu Prasanna ,
Theni
This refers to the article “A river sutra, without links” (March 3), which says any neat division between “surplus” and “deficit” areas becomes more of a problem in these days of climate change. Nature has its extremes, but considering the averages of long-term records, Rajasthan is more drought-prone, and Assam is more flood-prone. The case for linking rivers is based on averages, not extreme events.
S.A. Prathapar ,
New Delhi
Nobody can dispute the fact that by directing the government to look at linking rivers, the Supreme Court has entered the domain of the executive. Further, how does it intend to resolve the disputes over water-sharing?
Karavadi Raghava Rao ,
Vijayawada
The ILR Project, conceived decades ago as the “Garland Canal Scheme,” has remained in cold storage because of technical and ecological stumbling blocks. With water coming under the State government's control and inter-State river water disputes taking on ugly political overtones, the concept is difficult to implement.
B. Gurumurthy ,
Madurai
A government which is unable to handle small people movements like the Narmada Bachao Andolan would wither in the face of protests arising from such large projects. Also, ecological imbalance is the main factor in such a project. Water conservation projects in small areas should be the key to resolving water scarcity.
Virendra Kumar Singh ,
New Delhi
