A Simple Note on Dams in India

As the humans evolved and started settling, their needs kept growing. Soon, industrialisation led to urbanisation and modernisation in society. This modern society had several needs rather than just basic needs of food, clothing and shelter. The modern needs included electricity, and mechanisation, and several luxuries which primarily consisted of need for electricity. Thus, societies evolved and started constructing dams. India’s growth in rapid economic development can be credited to its several dams built in the past and several ongoing big dam construction projects. The construction of a dam not only provides electricity, but also helps in storing water which can be utilised for agricultural purposes as well as other usages.  

Primary Need for Constructing a Dam

Primarily, a dam is built on a river as a barrier to the flow of water. A dam obstructs the flow of water by storing the water which can be further utilised for daily consumption in households. The water stored by dams is greatly useful for flourishing local industries. In a situation where dams are not available, water availability becomes unpredictable. This becomes a deterrent for flourishing local industries. Apart from water storage, a dam helps in generating hydroelectricity and again aids in supporting local industries and communities with the way of supplying electricity. In places where flooding is rampant, constructing dams becomes helpful in controlling these floods.

Here is a quick list to know the need for constructing a dam in a region:

1. Water storage for daily household usage
2. Supplying water to industries
3. Electricity generation
4. Managing recurring floods in an area
5. Irrigation purposes for agriculture and farming

Impact of Dams on the Environment

Dams prove as a great benefit to humankind in various ways, but the construction of dams has a certain impact on local communities and the environment. Some of the disadvantages that are caused by the construction of the dams are listed below:

Deforestation

Constructing a dam involves the need for a large area of land. Often, this land is cultivated by cutting of several trees from and around local forests. For a short time span, dam construction causes the destruction of forests and deforestation. But in recent years, government bodies have become mindful of deforestation and are taking steps to replant the trees which had to be chopped down.

Displacement of animal and plant life

As we have studied above, a large area of land is required for constructing dams by way of deforestation. This leads to the displacement of a large number of wild animals losing their natural habitat.

Displacement of tribal and local communities

Many tribal communities live in the forest area and their lives depend upon the forest ecosystem. Whenever dams are built in such rural and tribal areas, indigenous people lose their means of livelihood. The government, in recent years, has implemented various schemes and policies to settle the tribal people who have lost their land and livelihood to the construction of dams. The government even compensates with money and gives land in another area so as to not disturb the tribal communities and means to their livelihood.

Different Types of Dams

There are many different types of Dams that are built as per the local geographic conditions and aims of constructing a dam.

1. Diversion Dam
2. Coffer Dam
3. Saddle Dam
4. Regulating Dam
5. Buttress Dam
6. Overflow Dam

Names of Some of the Biggest Dams in India

1. Kallanai Dam
2. Koyana Dam
3. Sardar Sarovar Dam
4. Bhakra Nangal Dam
5. Tungabhadra Dam
6. Mettur Dam
7. Ukai Dam

These are names of just some dams listed here. India is home to several dams across the country from east to west and north to south.

Sardar Sarovar Dam

Sardar Sarovar Dam is one of the largest dams in India. Sardar Sarovar dam is constructed on the river Narmada and provides water to three Indian states, viz. Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Gujarat. The construction of Sardar Sarovar dam was a dream project and the vision of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, the first deputy prime minister of India. But since then, the dam has been facing one or other controversy and its construction could only be completed in recent years. Sardar Sarovar dam became open to the public in the year 2017. On the sites of Sardar Sarovar dam, the statue of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel is constructed. which is known as the Statue of Unity. Sardar Sarovar Dam is also known as Narmada Dam as it is constructed on the river Narmada.

Conclusion

Dams are an important part of a modern-day infrastructure that provide water storage facilities, electricity generation, and regulation of floods in a river. A dam plays a huge role in the development of local industries and strengthening of the economy.