The Centre Government of India is considering the establishment of the National Interlinking of Rivers Authority (NIRA). As a proposal, NIRA will be an independent body responsible for planning, investigating, financing, and implementation of river interlinking projects across the nation.
Introducing: The National Interlinking of Rivers Authority
The proposed NIRA will act as the central authority for all river linking projects in the country. It will be led by an officer of secretary rank from the Government of India. In place of the existing National Water Development Agency (NWDA), NIRA will manage interactions with neighboring countries, concerned states and departments.
The agency will secure necessary approvals related to environment, wildlife and forest clearances under river linking projects while also handling any legal issues arising from them. Furthermore, NIRA will possess the power to raise funds, hold borrowed funds or deposits, lend money on interest, and establish a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) for individual link projects.
A Brief History of the Inter-Linking of Rivers Programme
The concept of river interlinking was first proposed during the British Raj era by Sir Arthur Cotton. He imagined linking the Ganga and the Cauvery rivers for navigational purposes. Today, the InterLinking of Rivers (ILR) programme is conceived with a broader perspective. It intends to connect surplus rivers with deficient ones, enabling the diversion of excess water from regions of abundance to those facing shortage.
Why is River Interlinking Needed?
India suffers from inconsistent and regionally imbalanced monsoon rains. By interlinking rivers, it’s possible to reduce surplus rainwater – and subsequent flood risks – and increase availability in water-scarce areas. River linking could provide an effective solution for the rain-dependent irrigation challenges that affect Indian agriculture, helping transfer surplus water to deficit regions.
Besides supporting agriculture and reducing water distress, the programme also offers several other benefits. These include hydropower generation, year-round navigation, employment creation, and ecological benefits as depleted forests and lands are rejuvenated.
Challenges Associated with River Interlinking
However, river interlinking also presents significant challenges. The construction of dams and other infrastructure required for the project could disrupt natural river ecologies, threatening biodiversity, especially in areas like the Himalayan forests. Climate change is another concern. Assumptions about surplus and deficient water basins could dramatically change due to altered weather patterns, rendering the interlinking system ineffective.
Moreover, the economic costs of river interlinking, estimated to be a significant fiscal burden on the government, are substantial. The socio-economic impact is equally immense; proposed canals stretching about 15,000 km would displace approximately 5.5 million people, including tribal communities and farmers.
Alternative Approaches: A Decentralized Perspective of River Interlinking
The idea of river interlinking carries merits and demerits, but given its profound economic, political, and environmental implications, executing this project at a centralized national level may not be prudent. Instead, the initiative should be pursued more sustainably and sensitively in a decentralized manner. The promotion of methods like rainwater harvesting could also help mitigate floods and droughts. A successful example in this regard would be the linking of Ken-Betwa Rivers.