D

DIVYAAIR 182· 2025

Question 14GS2GS2

The interlinking of rivers offers several benefits, but also raises significant socio-economic and environmental concerns. Analyze. (15 marks, 250 words)

Open scan (p.31)

Main Body

The Ken-Betwa Link

Canal is supposed to provide irrigation, hydrological benefit to water deficit region along with posing threat to the Panna Tiger Reserve.

[Diagram showing Ken-Betwa Link, Godavari-Mahanadi Link, Polavarmn Lift Project connections across Indian states]

Benefits of River Inter-linking:

1Help water stressed states

(a) Safeel-Jamuna link will help irrigate more than 30% area of unirrigated Haryana

2Water sharing - federal strengthening & resource sharing
3Hydropower potential - Lift project like Polavarmn (Telangana) have hydropower potentials
4Feed the drying up rivers - create river revival

(a) projects in bringing back chaggar perenniality

Socio-economic Concerns:

1Risk of displacements

(a) Tribals are 40% more prone to such development linked displacement (Vala report)

2Investment heavy - fiscal expenditure on such projects is very high (economic feasibility of Ken-Betwa project under debate)
3post linking rehabilitation drive - cultural mishap - loss of livelihood - expenditure intensive

Environmental Concerns:

1Threat to biodiversity

(a) 40% of fauna curvse damage due to Ken-Betwa linking

2Lifting water - alters hydrualic geometry of river channels

(a) Godavari river lift project debated

3Threat of erosion, sediment equilibrium disturbance - due to alteration of natural-flow
4Loss of traditional material resources - due to human intervention

A social, economic and environmental impact assessment is necessary along with following (precautionary principle) as accounted in preamble of National River Interlinking Project

229 words17 paragraphs

Conclusion

A social, economic and environmental impact assessment is necessary along with following (precautionary principle) as accounted in preamble of National River Interlinking Project

23 words

Diagram

Map showing Ken-Betwa Link, Godavari-Mahanadi Link, Polavarmn Lift Project locations across India

Examiner score
1.24/10

Open original scan

Page 31

Topper

DIVYA

AIR 1822025

Subject & Paper

GS2GS2

Topic

Infrastructure and Development

Water Management and River Projects

River Interlinking

Writing Stats

252

Total words

17

Paragraphs

analytical

Tone