ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE : NATURAL RESOURCES 53
(iii) Bodhaghat Project, M.P.
(iv) Tehri Dam Project in U.P.
Though these have been given environment clearance, pressure is being exercised on
the Govt. to drop these projects. A reader of newpapers could go through the headlines as
“Losses exceed Tehri Dam benefits,” “Govt. forced to rivew dam projects”. “Big dams spell
doom”, “How green was my valley”, “The displacement factor” etc. A brief description of
these dams is as under:
(1) Sardar Sarovar (SS)
Project near Navagam in Bharuch district of Gujarat is one of the costliest projects
project affecting village in three states- M.P. Maharashtra and Gujarat. It is estimated that
nearly 245 villagers will be submerged, of which about 193 in M.P. alone. As such, over
75,000 (nearly 50,000 in M.P. alone) people will be evicted.
Besides, additional displacement is likely to be caused during social and environmental
rehabilitation work undertaken to repair the dislocation and damages caused by the project.
Likewise, compensatory afforestation and setting of wildlife sanctuary will displace other
villagers in the area. It is officially admitted that nearly 43,000 ha of land will be needed
for rehabilitation of SS outees.
(2) Narmada Valley Project (NVP)
It claims to be the world’s largest river valley project. The 30 big dams and over 3,000
medium dams are envisaged. It is estimated that it would displace over one million people,
mostly tribals, submerge 56,000 ha of fertile agriculture land. Total forest are of nearly 60,000
ha will be destroyed. As a result, nearly 25 species of birds will be deprived of their habitats.
(3) Bodhghat Project
Bodhaghat Project on Indaravati river in M.P. is in Bastar district. It is feared that the
project will destroy teak and sal forests, and spell doom for the last surviving wild buffaloes.
The criticism of the project was so high and widespread that it forced the Govt. and the
World Bank to reconsider it.
(4) Tehri Dam
Tehri Dam is on the Bhagirathi river in U.P. at the foothhills aof Himalayas; it is
Soviet-financed and challenged in the Supreme Court. It is feared that it will displace over
85,000 people. It will totally immerse the Tehri town and completely or partly submerge
nearly 100 villages. The site is prone to intense seismic activity. It is also held the 3,200
million ton of water that the Dam would impound could cause a major earth tremor. In case
a disaster takes place the entire religious townships of Deoprayag, Hardwar and Rishikesh
would be devastated. Thousand of hectares of rich, agricultural land will be drowned. The
fear is not imaginary. In July/August 2004 the midable position took place.
DAM SAFETY ORGANIZATION (DSO)
There are about 1600 large dams in the country of which over 100 Dams are 30 metres
in height and above. While these dams provide much needed water for irrigation and
development of power, they also pose the potential hazard in the event of failure.