HomeBloggingBig Dams - What Are The Benefits And Problems?

Big Dams – What Are The Benefits And Problems?

Big dams are often regarded as a symbol of national development. However, there are several other issues and problems related to these.

BENEFITS :

 benefits of big dams

River valley projects with big dams have usually been considered to play a key role in the development process due to their multiple uses. India has the distinction of having the largest number of river – valley projects. The tribals living in the area pin big hopes on these projects as they aim at providing employment and raising the standard and quality of life. The dams have tremendous potential for economic upliftment and growth. They can help in checking floods and famines, generate electricity and educe water and power shortage, provide irrigation water to lower areas, provide drinking water in remote areas and promote navigation, fishery etc.

ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMS :

Image result for environmental problems of big dams

The environmental impacts of big dams are also too many due to which very often the big dams become a subject of controversy. The impacts can be at the upstream as well as downstream levels.

The upstream problems include the following :

  • Displacement of tribal people
  • Loss of forests, flora and fauna
  • Changes in fisheries and the spawning grounds
  • Siltation and sedimentation of reservoirs
  • Loss of non forest land
  • Stagnation and waterlogging near reservoir
  • Breeding of vectors and spread of water borne diseases
  • RIS causing earthquakes
  • Growth of aquatic weeds

The downstream impacts include the following :

  • Water logging and salinity due to over irrigation
  • Micro-climatic changes
  • Reduced water flow and slit deposition in river
  • Flash floods
  • Salt water intrusion at river mouth
  • Loss of land fertility along the river since the sediments carrying nutrients get deposited in the reservoir
  • Outbreak of vector – borne diseases like malaria

Thus, although the dams are built to serve the society with multiple uses, but it has several serious side effects. That is why, now there is a a shift towards construction of small dams or mini-hydel projects.

Hot this week

The Benefits of Using Proposal Management Software for Small Businesses

Proposals are the lifeblood of small businesses seeking to...

20 Incredible Tamil Novel Writers

Tamil literature is known for its elegance, diversity and...

23 Most Beautiful Beaches to visit at least once in life

Are you a beach person? And all you do...

Artificial intelligence In Everyday Life

Humans are the foremost intelligent species within the world....

Stretch Marks Cream: Does It Really Work? What Experts and Real Users Say

Stretch marks are something almost all of us have...

Topics

The Benefits of Using Proposal Management Software for Small Businesses

Proposals are the lifeblood of small businesses seeking to...

20 Incredible Tamil Novel Writers

Tamil literature is known for its elegance, diversity and...

23 Most Beautiful Beaches to visit at least once in life

Are you a beach person? And all you do...

Artificial intelligence In Everyday Life

Humans are the foremost intelligent species within the world....

Stretch Marks Cream: Does It Really Work? What Experts and Real Users Say

Stretch marks are something almost all of us have...

Hemp Hearts, Hemp Seeds, and Hemp Protein: A Complete Guide

The seeds of hemp plants are known as hemp...

What is Activism: 15 Popular Types of Activism

We are motivated to speak out against harmful practices...

Miley Cyrus Flowers: The New Heartbeat of GenZs

Miley Cyrus, an iconic pop star, everyone’s childhood and...

Related Articles

Popular Categories