ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE : NATURAL RESOURCES 49
(i) To maintain liason between the Participating Countries in order to ensure the most
effective joint efforts in maximizing the benefits from Common River System to
both Countries:
(ii) To formulate flood forecasting and cyclone warnings;
(iii) To study flood control works and so recommended implementation of Joint projects;
(iv) To formulate detailed proposal on advance flood warnings, flood control and Irrigation
Project so that the water resources of the region can be utilized on an equipment
basis for the mutual benefit of the people of the two countries;
(v) To formulate proposal for countries to co-ordinate research on problems of flood
control affecting both the countries.Indo-Nepal Sub-Commission on Water Resources
The Indo-Nepal, sub-commission on water resources was set-up in August 1988, to deal
with all aspects of Indo-Nepal Cooperation in the multiple uses of Water Resources for
mutual benefit. In additional to the matter already under discussion at secretary-level and
other meetings, the sub-commission shall identify new programes/Project for water resources
development for cooperation between India and Nepal in specific sectors viz. irrigation,
water-logging and drainage, hydro-electric power generation. Inland navigation, collection
of hydrological data, measures to prevent and reduce losses due to floods, flood forecasting
and flood warning, environment safeguard measures and transfer of technology suited to
the requirement of both the countries.
Note: Courtesy Research and Reference Division Ministry of Information and Broadcasting
Govt. of India.
DAMS: DESCRIPTION, BENEFITS AND PROBLEMS
A number of big, medium and minor dams have been envisaged under different river
valley projects. These dams have been undertaken for irrigation, power generation and
water supply. These dams, hailed as the Temples of Modern India by the country’s first
Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, have increased agricultural production, power generation
and reduced dependence on imports. A brief description of the dams and benefit accruing
form them is as under:
Farakka Barrage Project
The Farkka Barrage Project is designed to subserve the need for preservation and
maintenance of the Calcutta Port by improving the regime and navigability of the Bhagirathi-
Hooghly River System. The Bhagirathi, the feeder canal and the navigation lock at the
Farakka Barrage form part of the Haldi-Allahabad Inland Waterway for which an act has
been passed.
The principles components of the Farakka Barrage Project are:
(a) 2,240 metre-long barrage across the Ganga, designed to pass a flood discharge of
76,455 cumec or 27 lakh, with rail-cum-road bridge, the necessary river draining
works and a head regulator on the right side;
(b) 213 metre-long garrage across the Bhragirathi at Jangipur, designed to pass flood
discharge of 1,700 cusecs or 60,000 cusecs;