Water Resources and Dams PDF

harvesting system channelling the flood Multi-purpose projects, launched after water of the river Ganga. Independence with their integrated water During the time of Chandragupta Maurya, resources management approach, were though...

harvesting system channelling the flood Multi-purpose projects, launched after water of the river Ganga. Independence with their integrated water During the time of Chandragupta Maurya, resources management approach, were thought dams, lakes and irrigation systems were of as the vehicle that would lead the nation to extensively built. development and progress, overcoming the Evidences of sophisticated irrigation works have also been found in Kalinga, A dam is a barrier across flowing water that (Odisha), Nagarjunakonda (Andhra obstructs, directs or retards the flow, often Pradesh), Bennur (Karnataka), Kolhapur creating a reservoir, lake or impoundment. (Maharashtra), etc. “Dam” refers to the reservoir rather than the structure. Most dams have a section called a In the 11th Century, Bhopal Lake, one of the spillway or weir over which or through which largest artificial lakes of its time was built. it is intended that water will flow either In the 14th Century, the tank in Hauz Khas, intermittently or continuously. Dams are Delhi was constructed by Iltutmish for classified according to structure, intended supplying water to Siri Fort area. purpose or height. Based on structure and Source: Dying Wisdom, CSE, 1997. the materials used, dams are classified as timber dams, embankment dams or masonry dams, with several subtypes. According to the height, dams can be categorised as large dams and major dams or alternatively as low dams, medium height dams and high dams. handicap of its colonial past. Jawaharlal Nehru proudly proclaimed the dams as the ‘temples of modern India’; the reason being that it would integrate development of agriculture and the village economy with rapid industrialisation and growth of the urban economy. Fig. 3.2: Hirakud Dam Find out more about any one traditional What are dams and how do they help us method of building dams and irrigation works. in conserving and managing water? Dams were traditionally built to impound rivers and rainwater that could be used later to irrigate We have sown the crops in Asar agricultural fields. Today, dams are built not We will bring Bhadu in Bhadra just for irrigation but for electricity generation, water supply for domestic and industrial Floods have swollen the Damodar uses, flood control, recreation, inland The sailing boats cannot sail navigation and fish breeding. Hence, dams are Oh! Damodar, we fall at your feet now referred to as multi-purpose projects where the many uses of the impounded water Reduce the floods a little are integrated with one another. For example, Bhadu will come a year later in the Sutluj-Beas river basin, the Bhakra – Nangal project water is being used both for Let the boats sail on your surface hydel power production and irrigation. (This popular Bhadu song in the Damodar valley Similarly, the Hirakud project in the region narrates the troubles faced by people Mahanadi basin integrates conservation of owing to the flooding of Damodar river known as the river of sorrow.) water with flood control. 22 CONTEMPORARY INDIA – II Reprint 2024-25