INTER LIKKING OF RIVERS IN INDIA

The Indian Rivers Inter-link is a proposed large-scale civil engineering project that aims to join the majority of India's rivers by canals and so reduce persistent water shortages in parts of India.

THE PROJECT

The Inter-link would consist of two parts, a northern Himalayan River Development component and a southern Peninsular River Development component.

Himalayan Development

The northern component would consist of a series of dams built along the Ganga and Brahmaputra rivers in India, Nepal and Bhutan for the purposes of storage. Canals would be built to transfer surplus water from the eastern tributaries of the Ganga to the west. The Brahmaputra and its tributaries would be linked with the Ganga and the Ganga with the Mahanadi river. This part of the project would provide additional irrigation for about 220,000 square kilometres and generate about 30 gigawatts of electricity. In theory it would provide extra flood control in the Ganga and Brahmaputra river basins. It could also provide excess water for the controversial Farakka Barrage which could be used to flush out the silt at the port of Kolkata.

Himalayan Component

Kosi - Mechi link

Kosi - Ghaghara link

Gandak - Ganga link

Ghaghara - Yamuna link

Sarda - Yamuna link

Yamuna - Rajasthan link

Rajasthan - Sabarmati link

Chunar - Sone Barrage link

Sone dam - Southern tributaries of Ganga link

Manas - Sankosh - Tista - Ganga link

Jogighopa - Tista - Farakka link

Farakka - Sunderbans link

Ganga - Damodar - Subernarekha link

Subernarekha - Mahanadi link

Peninsular Development

The main part of the project would send water from the eastern part of India to the south and west. The southern development project would consist of four main parts. First, the Mahanadi,Godavari. Krishna and Kaveri rivers would all be linked by canals. Extra water storage dams would be built along the course of these rivers. The purpose of this would be to transfer surplus water from the Mahanadi and Godavari rivers to the south of India. Second, those rivers that flow west to the north of Mumbai and the south of Tapi would be linked. Due to the irregular fluctuations in water levels in the region, as much storage capacity would be built as possible. The water would be used by the urban areas of Bombay and also to provide irrigation in the coastal areas of Maharashtra. Third the Ken and Chambal rivers would be linked in order to provide better water facilities for Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh. Finally a number of west-flowing rivers along theWestern Ghats simply discharge into the Arabian Sea. As many of these as possible would be diverted for irrigation purposes. The Peninsular part of the project would provide additional irrigation to 130,000 square kilometres and generation an additional 4 gigawatts of power.

Peninsular Component

Mahanadi - Godavari Link

Inchampalli - Nagarjunasagar Link

Inchampalli - Pulichintala Link

Polavaram - Vijayawada Link

Almatti - Pennar Link

Srisailam - Pennar Link

Nagarjunasagar - Somasila Link

Somasila - Grand Anicut Link

Kattalai – Vaigai - Gundar Link

Ken - Betwa Link

Parbati - Kalisindh - Chambal Link

Par - Tapi - Narmada Link

Damanganga - Pinjal Link

Bedti - Varada Link

Netravati - Hemavati Link

Pamba – Anchankovil - Vaippar Link

CRITICISM

·        Critics also point to the enormous costs conservatively estimated at some US$ 140b which India cannot afford to spend.

·        The change in elevation (a minimum of 100 m, generally increases towards the south) from the plains of northern India to the Vindhya and Satpura ranges and the Deccan Plateau beyond them, pose a major challenge to the project; as the water would have to travel upwards in order to reach Maharashtra and southern India.

STATED BENEFITS

• Alleviating droughts and flood control.
• Cheap water for irrigation.
• Availability of drinking water.
• Generation of hydroelectric power.
• Allowing more inland navigation.
• Employment generation.
• Fostering a spirit of national integration.

INTERLINKING : SALVATION OR FOLLY

• Riparian rights: conflict between states (as- kauveri and Mahanadi issue) have to be resolved. In addition worry of Bangladesh and Nepal have to be taken into account.
• Financing: Raising 5.6 lakh crores of rupees is a tough task and if created maintenance of huge asset is a problem. Fear of privatization of water resources.
• Flood period: Idea of networking flood water to the deficient basin does not consider the surplus period of donor area and deficient period of recipient area.

• Desertification: Prevention of natural flooding may led to desertification as there will be loss of fertile soil.
• River pollution: Reducing the flow of river by diversion will increase the concentration of pollutants in the river.
• Security: Security of network will be an enormous load on security forces of central and state governments. As canal can be easily breached by manual or natural activities.
• Land acquisition and displacement: Misery and injustice to the displaced people in obtaining compensation due to systemic corruption.

• Technical feasibility: The slope, altitude and other topographical aspects have to be considered. (e.g. for Ganga, Patna is diversible surplus but for raising water to Vindhya chain i.e. 2860 ft. high enormous amount of power is required).

PRICE TAG

Financial cost :

1.      5.6 L Crores Rs :

2.      250% of India’s tax revenue in 2002

3.      1/4^th of India’s annual GDP

4.      Twice the entire irrigation budget of India since 1950

Rehabilitation Cost :

      1. Estimated that 8,000 sq. km. of land affecting the thousands of villages and towns

    2.  33 mn of people have been displaced in India during the last 50 years most have not been rehabilitated and ILR will also displace million of people from the most needy section.

Environmental Cost :

  1.    50,000 ha of forest to be submerged only by peninsular link.

   2.      Intensive irrigation in unsuitable soils will lead to water logging and salinity.

   3.   Highly polluted rivers will spread toxicity to other rivers.

4.     River system will be altered catastrophically creating droughts and desert.

     Doubtful Role of Government Agencies :

1. Claimed that 35 mn ha of dry land regions will be brought under irrigation but the areas not clearly identified.
2. No clear answer to the issue of displacement and resettlement.
3. The reports regarding the feasibility of the  interlinking not made public.

• KEN BETAWA LINK:

1. Not yet clear, which is surplus basin and which is deficit.
2. 1991 census data used for the implementation in 2005.
3. No proper assessment of the ecological and social aspects.
4. Only 3 dams figured in the report out of 10.

Alternatives to ILR :

1. Rainwater harvesting and conservation of water resources : Changes in topography, soil system and runoff flow pattern in a changing climatic environment is considered. Not only stored rain water but soil erosion is also prevented.
2. Recharging ground water reservoir : Skills have to be developed for arresting rain water where it falls and allowing it to recharge these ground water reservoirs.
3. Large scale utilization of ground water in deltas : practically feasible and initiatives for borewell development and irrigation needed with responsibility lying .
4. Community participation: Approaches of reducing water consumption by the affluent in the cities and reducing the wastage of water by the farmers in their field can be attempted.

Source: 1. Wilipedia
             2. http://www.downtoearth.org.in

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MANGROVES OF INDIA

The word "Mangrove" is considered to be a combination of the Portuguese word "Mangue" and the English word "grove". Mangroves are salt-tolerant plants of tropical and subtropical intertidal regions of the world. The specific regions where these plants occur are termed as 'mangrove ecosystem'. These are highly productive but extremely sensitive and fragile. Besides mangroves, the ecosystem also harbours other plant and animal species.

Anthropological pressures and natural calamities are the enemies of the ecosystem. Growing industrial areas along the coastlines and discharge of domestic and industrial sewage are polluting these areas. Many studies have highlighted these problems and the conservation efforts are being considered.

Experiences have proved that the presence of mangrove ecosystems on coastline save lives and property during natural hazards such as cyclones, storm surges and erosion. These ecosystems are also well known for their economic importance. They are breeding, feeding and nursery grounds for many estuarine and marine organisms. Hence, these areas are used for captive and culture fisheries. The ecosystem has a very large unexplored potential for natural products useful for medicinal purposes and also for salt production, apiculture, fuel and fodder, etc.

The distribution of mangrove ecosystem on Indian coastlines indicates that the Sundarban mangroves occupy very large area followed by Andaman-Nicobar Islands and Gulf of Kachch in Gujarat. Rest of the mangrove ecosystems is comparatively smaller. However, good number of studies has been carried out in almost all ecosystems. Over 1600 plant and 3700 animal species have been identified from these areas.

THREATS TO MANGROVE ECOSYSTEM

The threats to the mangrove ecosystem could be broadly grouped into two: Natural and Anthropogenic. These factors may affect the system as a whole or any one entity within the system, etc. The natural threats include: Climatic changes, Cyclones and Physical processes. Diseases, deterioration, pollution, grazing, agriculture, aquaculture and human encroachment (including reclamation), etc., are considered as the anthropogenic threats to the ecosystem.

MANGROVE IN INDIA 

According to a status report of the Government of India publication, the total area of the mangroves in India, was reckoned at about 6,740 km2. This covered about 7% of the world mangroves (Krishnamurthy, 1987) and 8% of the Indian coastline (Untawale, 1987). But a recent Indian Remote Sensing Data (Nayak, 1993) showed that the total area of the mangroves decreased to 4,474 km2 (Table. 1). The values shown by satellite data shows a decrease in the mangrove area, which may be due to several reasons such as

a.     grazing by domestic cattles and exploitation of mangrove woods for fuel and timber

b.     the neo-tectonietc movement of river courses

c.  abatement of upstream freshwater discharges due to construction of dams and reservoir

d.  rapid trend of reclamation of mangrove forests for habitations

e.     pollutant discharges from cities and industries etc.

Source : http://agritech.tnau.ac.in

For more info, refer roport by Central Water Commission on Mangrove forest in India. To get this, click on following link.

http://cwc.gov.in/CPDAC/Paper_Research_Work/Paper%20Research%20Work%20.pdf 

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Unsustainable And illegal Wildlife Trade

Second-biggest direct threat to species after habitat destruction

What is wildlife trade?

Whenever people sell or exchange wild animal and plant resources, this is wildlife trade. It can involve live animals and plants or all kinds of wild animal and plant products. Wildlife trade is easiest to track when it is from one country to another because it must be checked, and often recorded, at Customs checkpoints.

Why do people trade wildlife?

People trade wildlife for cash or exchange it for other useful objects - for example, utensils in exchange for wild animal skins. Driving the trade is the end-consumer who has a need or desire for wildlife products, whether for food, construction or clothing.

What is wildlife trade worth financially?

This is a difficult estimate to make. As a guideline, TRAFFIC has calculated that wildlife products worth about 160 US billion dollars were imported around the globe each year in the early 1990s. In addition to this, there is a large and profitable illegal wildlife trade, but because it is conducted covertly no-one can judge with any accuracy what this may be worth.

What is the scale of wildlife trade?

The trade involves hundreds of millions of wild plants and animals from tens of thousands of species. To provide a glimpse of the scale of wildlife trafficking, there are records of over 100 million tonnes of fish, 1.5 million live birds and 440,000 tonnes of medicinal plants in trade in just one year. 

Why is wildlife trade a problem?

Wildlife trade is by no means always a problem and most wildlife trade is legal. However, it has the potential to be very damaging. Populations of species on earth declined by an average 40% between 1970 and 2000 - and the second-biggest direct threat to species survival, after habitat destruction, is wildlife trade.

Perhaps the most obvious problem associated with wildlife trade is that it can cause overexploitation to the point where the survival of a species hangs in the balance. Historically, such overexploitation has caused extinctions or severely threatened species and, as human populations have expanded, demand for wildlife has only increased.

Recent overexploitation of wildlife for trade has affected countless species. This has been well-publicized in the cases of tigers, rhinoceroses, elephants and others, but many other species are affected.

This overexploitation should concern us all...

·        ...because it harms human livelihoods. 

Wildlife is vital to the lives of a high proportion of the world's population, often the poorest. Some rural households depend on local wild animals for their meat protein and on local trees for fuel, and both wild animals and plants provide components of traditional medicines used by the majority of people in the world. While many people in developed countries are cushioned from any effects caused by a reduced supply of a particular household item, many people in the developing world depend entirely on the continued availability of local wildlife resources.
 

·        ...because it harms the balance of nature. 

In addition to the impact on human livelihoods caused by the over-harvesting of animals and plants is the harm caused by overexploitation of species to the living planet in a wider way. For example, overfishing does not only affect individual fishing communities and threaten certain fish species, but causes imbalances in the whole marine system. As human life depends on the existence of a functioning planet Earth, careful and thoughtful use of wildlife species and their habitats is required to avoid not only extinctions, but serious disturbances to the complex web of life.

Particular problems are associated with illegal wildlife trade, which is usually driven by a demand for rare, protected species which need to be smuggled and/or by a desire to avoid paying duties. In illegal wildlife trade, some species involved are highly endangered, conditions of transport for live animals are likely to be worse and wildlife is more likely to have been obtained in an environmentally damaging way. The existence of illegal trade is also worrying because it undermines countries' efforts to protect their natural resources.

Wildlife trade can also cause indirect harm through:

Introducing invasive species which then prey on, or compete with, native species. Invasive species are as big a threat to the balance of nature as the direct overexploitation by humans of some species. Many invasive species have been purposely introduced by wildlife traders; examples include the American Mink, the Red-eared Terrapin and countless plant species.

Incidental killing of non-target species, such as dolphins and seabirds, when they are caught in fishing gear. It is estimated that over a quarter of the global marine fisheries catch is incidental, unwanted, and discarded. Incidental killing of animals also happens on land when crude traps are set (for example, for musk deer or duikers). These cause damage and death to a variety of animals besides the intended ones. 

Finally...while wildlife trade alone is a major threat to some species, it is important to remember that its impact is frequently made worse by habitat loss and other pressures.

Source: wwf.panda.org

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Importance of Rare Earth Elements in Global Economics and Politics

As defined by IUPAC, rare earth elements ("REEs") or rare earth metals are a set of seventeen chemical elements in the periodic table, specifically the fifteen lanthanides plus scandium and yttrium. Scandium and yttrium are considered rare earth elements since they tend to occur in the sameore deposits as the lanthanides and exhibit similar chemical properties

Terms like "rare metals" and "rare elements" have no clear definition, and often include REEs. What makes these metals them vitally important to our economy is that they enable modern technologies. For example, rare earth magnets are much more powerful than ferrite ones of similar sizes, which enables miniaturization of things like motors.

Source: US Consumer Product Safety Commission

These magnets are used in hard drives, cd players, cell phone vibrating alerts, and headphones. More interesting is their uses in energy and defence applications. Wind turbines use around 1000kg of neodymium per megawatt; smart missiles use them for steering; and they provide the motors for electric cars. Rare earth phosphors are used in low-energy lighting to provide more natural illumination.

Source: planbeconomics.com

Lithium is another important metal, which traditionally has been used in glass and ceramics, and as a lubricant. Lithium demand is skyrocketing because of its use in rechargeable batteries for both transportation and electric grid enhancement. These uses are also driving increased demand in other associated materials, like cobalt, vanadium and more.

I like to use the analogy that these metals are like yeast in bread. In terms of quantity and cost, they often contribute very little, but if you don't have them, you get crackers.

Source: US Department of Energy

Rare Metals and REE are difficult to extract in an economically-viable and environmentally-sound manner. Furthermore there are major differences between heavy and light REE.  Comment ???

Mining rare earths is very different from other metals. It is a multistep process that, if not executed properly, can have significant externalities. Rare earths are often found along with radioactive elements like thorium, which requires appropriate handling and storage. Interestingly, thorium can also be used as an excellent nuclear power fuel. Modern extraction processes like the ones being developed in the US and Australia are carried out in an environmentally responsible manner. China, which produces the lion's share of these metals, has historically had poor enforcement of its environmental regulations. This is changing as China consolidates its control over the rare earth industry.

Light rare earths are those found to the "left" of Europium or Gadolinium (depending on who you ask), while the "heavies" are found to the right (along with Yttrium). The rare earths are found all together, but with different concentrations. Lights are more common, and heavies are more rare. However, heavies, like Dysprosium are of great importance.

Light rare earths are those found to the "left" of Europium or Gadolinium (depending on who you ask), while the "heavies" are found to the right (along with Yttrium). The rare earths are found all together, but with different concentrations. Lights are more common, and heavies are more rare. However, heavies, like Dysprosium are of great importance

The US used to be a major producer of REE though now most of these resources are produced in China. How did that happen and what has been the effect of this shift in production? Are there countries other than China that benefit from the importance of REE? Will we see new cartels like OPEC form to maintain prices and supply?

While China produces nearly all the world's rare earths, it has only a third of the reserves. Early on, the Chinese government at the highest levels recognized the strategic importance of rare earths, and used various methods to support the domestic industry. The former premier, Deng Xiaoping is famously quoted as saying that "The Middle East has oil, and China has rare earths." They achieved their dominance through poor environmental stewardship, trade intervention, and the fact that the largest source of rare earths is not a rare earth mine, but rather an iron mine that produces rare earths as a by-product.

Source: energydispatches.com

The effect has been that, until now, producing elsewhere has not been feasible. However, demand has been growing within China, and so export restrictions have been put in place. As a result, prices of the rare earths have fluctuated wildly, and the world is waking up to the fact that dependence on a single source of economically critical materials is a dangerous situation. Currently, no other country benefits as much as China, which has created tens of thousands of rare earth scientists.

As the US brings on renewed production of rare earths, and other mines in Australia, Canada and elsewhere begin operating, we will see a shift towards a more diverse supply. However, China will continue to be a major player. It has attempted to purchase international companies with reserves, and is a major consumer of these materials. The Chinese government has also started a "Trade Association" which will set production quotas and help to control pricing, which is quite reminiscent of OPEC's activities.

China has had a quota on rare earths for a number of years, despite the practice not being allowed under their accession to the World Trade Organization. However, what caught the world's attention in 2010 was the geopolitical aspect of resource control. China has long standing territorial disputes with Japan over the East China Sea, and with Southeast Asia over the South China Sea, largely because of oil reserves.

In 2010, the Japanese arrested a Chinese fishing crew for entering disputed territory, and reports emerged about shipments of rare earths no longer leaving China for Japan which depends on these materials for its technology industry. Subsequent statements were released by US Secretary of State Hilary Clinton over America's support of Southeast Asia in the South China Sea. Soon, rare earths stopped being shipped to the US. This situation, which the Chinese government officially denied influencing, lasted for a couple of weeks, until Japan relented and sent the captain of the fishing trawler home.

Source : 1. wikipedia

              2. kwrintl.com 

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National Flood Commission of India ( Rashtriya Barh Ayog )

The National Flood Control Programme was launched in 1954 for the first time, in the country. Since then, sizeable progress has been made in the flood protection measures. Nearly one third of the flood prone area had been afforded reasonable protection by 1976. During the period of two decades, considerable experience had also been gained in planning, implementation and performance of the flood protection and control measures. Advancement in technology had taken place not only in India but also in the world over. It, therefore, became necessary to conduct an in depth study of the country’s approach and programmes of flood control measures and formulation of a flood control policy. It required detailed study of various problems concerned with flood control measures and aspects like soil conservation and afforestation. The Government of India, therefore, decided to set up the Rashtriya Barh Ayog (National Flood Commission) in 1976 to evolve a coordinated, integrated and scientific approach to the flood control problems in the country and to draw out a national plan fixing priorities for implementation in the future. The composition of the Commission was as follows:

1.  Shri Jaisukhlal Hathi  - Chairman (Part-time)

2.  Two experts in flood control from States  - Members

3. One Economist - Member

4.  One Agronomist - Member

5. Representative of the Central Water Commission, Ganga Flood Control Commission, and Brahmaputra Flood Control Commission - Members

6.  One Member - Secretary.

The terms of reference of the Commission was as follows:-

1.  To review the flood protection measures undertaken since 1954 and to make an evaluation of the benefits and effectiveness of the measures undertaken so far with special reference to embankments in reducing the damage

 2.  To identify the areas where a large number of Zamindari and/or unauthorized embankments, bunds and spurs etc., exist; to assess the effect of such constructions on the flood problem; and suggest remedial measures

 3.  To identify the areas where construction of roads, highways, railways etc., and other encroachments into drains have aggravated flood problems and to suggest measures for improvements including legislative action, if any

 4. To analyze the damage caused by floods in recent years and to identify areas requiring immediate flood protection measures

 5. To evolve a comprehensive approach to the problem of floods in the country keeping in view the need for optimum and multi-purpose utilization of water resources as also the role of soil conservation and afforestation in flood control

 6. To make an analysis of the cost and benefits of flood protection measures

 7. To suggest criteria for taking up flood protection measures and means of mobilizing resources therefore

 8. To recommend proper land use in the flood plains with a view to minimize damage and to ensure overall increase in agriculture production

 9. To examine the existing arrangements for maintenance of flood protection works and recommend measures for improving the same

 10. To review the existing administrative and organizational set up for flood control at the Centre and in the States and suggest improvements where necessary, flood control to include flood forecasting and warning, flood fighting, formulation and implementation of flood protection measures

 11. To examine the present procedure of assessing flood damage and suggest improvements

 12. To examine any other matter related to floods and flood control and make suitable recommendations.

 Though the RBA report was submitted in 1980 and accepted by Government, not much progress has been made in the implementation of its recommendations. As such, Ministry of Water Resources , Govt. of India vide their order No. F.No.22/15/2001-ER/4480-4500 dt. 19.10.2001   set up an Expert Committee to review the Implementation of recommendations of Rashtriya Barh Ayog (RBA). The Committee which was  to identify the bottlenecks faced by the State Govt. in its implementation and to examine and suggest measures for implementation of RBA recommendations for effective Flood Management in the country, has since submitted its report. The report of the committee is under examination in the Ministry of Water Resources.

Source: Ministry of water resources, India

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