Relevance:
According to the Study conducted by UN University Institute on Water, Environment and Health (UNU-INWEH) – UN’s think tank on water, 3,700 Indian dams will lose 26% of their total storage by 2050 due to accumulation of sediments.
Related Concerns –
- Reduction in hydro-electricity generation
- Reduction in water availability for irrigation due to less storage capacity
- Affects safety of dams and reduces discharge capacity and flood attenuation capabilities
- Increases loads on dam and gates, damages mechanical equipment and creates a wide range of environmental impacts.
Prelims Facts:
- India is 3rd largest dam-owning nation in world after US and China. India has 5334 completed and operational large dams while 411 large dams are under construction.
- Initiatives –
- Dam Rehabilitation and Improvement Project (DRIP) with financial assistance from World Bank.
- Dam safety act, 2021 for setting up empowered institutional framework for dam safety both at Central and State level.
- Dam Health and Rehabilitation Monitoring Application (DHARMA)
- Water and water storage is a State subject under 7th Schedule of the Constitution of India.
Reference: Economic Times
