Protest Against The Par Tapi-Narmada River Linking Project
Recently more than 10,000 tribals in 50 buses and small and big vehicles reached Gandhinagar Satyagraha Chavni (camp) to stage a protest. They are protesting against the Par -Tapi Narmada river-linking project proposed by the Centre.
The project for interlinking of rivers has been envisaged under the National Perspective Plan (NPP) of the year 1980. Under this, it is proposed to transfer river water from the water surplus areas of Western Ghats to the water deficient areas of Saurashtra Kutch.
National Perspective Plan: NPP
- It is also known as National River Linking Project (NRLP). It envisages transfer of water from submerged river basins with excess water to dry or water deficient river basins.
- It has been proposed to connect three rivers, namely, Par (originating from Nashik in Maharashtra), Tapi (originating from Satpura) and Narmada (originating in Madhya Pradesh).
- Under this, seven dams (Jheri, Mohankavchali, Paikheed, Chasmandawa, Chikkar, Dabdar and Kelwan) are to be constructed. One of these will be located in Maharashtra and the other in Gujarat.
Significance:
- This will help in saving water from Sardar Sarovar Dam, which is currently used for irrigation in Saurashtra region.
- Under this project, power stations are to be constructed at four dam sites. Thus, it will help in hydropower generation.
- The reservoirs being created due to these dams will also provide relief from floods to the people living in the areas in the direction of flow of the river.
- However, concerns have been expressed mainly by tribals regarding submergence of land, displacement, and loss of livelihood.
Source – The Hindu
