India's increasing demand for water for intensive irrigated agriculture,for generating electracity,and for consumption in urban and idustrial centers,has been met by larging dans.The are under irrigationhas increased from 40 million has in 1900 to 100 million has in 1950 and to 271 million has by 1998.Dams support 30 to 40%of this area .
Althrough dans ensure a year-round supply of water for domestic use provide extra water for agriculture,industry and hydropower generation ,they are also accompainedby several serious environmental problems.They alter river flows,change nature's flood control machanismssuch as wetlands and flood plains,and destroy the lilves of local people and the habibates fo wild plant and animal species.
Intensive irrigation to support water-hungry cash crops like sugercane produces an uneequal distribution of water.Large landholders on the canals get the loins share of water.while smaller farmers get less and are adversely affected.
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