critically examine the role of large dams in the river valley development.suggest ways to ensure that large dams do not threaten the environment.​

Dear student,

Construction of dams was  considered to be instrument of growth and development and that would integrate village economy with the urban industrial economy. However, in recent years they have come under scrutiny and opposition and it is felt that these projects have failed achieve the purpose for which they were built because of the following reasons:

a.The dams that were constructed to control floods in fact have increased floods due to excessive sedimentation in the bottom of the reservoir.

b. They have also failed to control flood at the time of excessive rainfall. 

c. The reservoirs which are built on the food plains have submerged the existing vegetation and soil leading to soil erosion.

d. Sedimentation deprives food plains of the silt which is a natural fertilizer leading to land degradation.

d. These projects have caused massive displacement of the local communities and have failed to benefit from such projects.

e. It was felt that these projects would integrate rural economy with urban but instead it has benefited only a particular section of  the society i.e landowners and large farmers, industrialist and urban centres further creating a hiatus between the rural and urban India and between the rich landowners and poor farmers.. Landless and small farmers have not benefited from such projects.

f. It has brought inter state water disputes with regard to sharing of benefits and cost of production of such projects.

One can ensure that dams do not threaten environment by:

i. We must ensure proper construction of dams, to avoid possible cracks.
ii. One can also prevent erosion near dams by planting more trees.
iii. The reservoir must also be de silted .

Regards