ARE DAMS SOLELY RESPONSIBLE FOR RECENT RAVAGE IN KERALA?” DISCUSS.

RoQUESTION OF THE DAY FOR CRACKING IAS - 2019

"ARE DAMS SOLELY RESPONSIBLE FOR RECENT RAVAGE IN KERALA?” DISCUSS.

A) With the recent floods in kerala, though may be caused by flash floods, the very purpose of dams in controlling the floods has come into question.

Main purpose of the dams :

1) Dams are constructed mainly for the purpose of, a) irrigation b) electricity/power generation c) flood control.  2) we are trying to achieve only first 2 goals but failing to consider 3rd goal which is equally important.
3) Dams bridges  balance for water deficit areas and water surplus areas.
4) Dams are also used for drinking purpose, mainly for supplying water to households etc.

cons:

1) Dam construction requires huge areas,so loss or damage of ecosystem.
2) loss of livelihood to many habitat people.
increase in immigration, loss of produce from forests etc.

Relevance of dams in the present context:

1) As ground water table is shrinking, the need of dams to supply water to houses is increased.
2) In monsoon times, from the learnings of Kerala, we should prepare in flood controlling.

World experience:

1) In Thailand before monsoon, water level in dams will be levelled at 60% of its capacity. So that any intense floods can be controlled.
                So, from this we have to learn that, we have to leave atleast 30% of dams capacity before monsoon

No, dams are not solely responsible:

                 Recent kerala floods reasons are not because of unicause but multicause.

1) Because of indiscriminatory sand mining, capacity of soils to stop floods, decreased.
2) Because of deforestation in western ghats, flood flow has increased.
3) Not having pre plans like flood management, canals debris cleaning etc.

wayforward:

1) Following the recommendations of Kasturirangan committee and Madhav gadgil committee recommendations for western ghats ecosystem conservation.
2) Learning from international experiences in flood management.
3) Following sendai framework (2015-30) principles strictly.
4) Need of  dam safety bill 2018
               
                   As Nehru called, “dams are like a temples”, we have to take multipronged approach to use dams efficiently and preserve them as temples…

* THANKYOU AND ALL THE BEST..