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September 10, 2004
River-linking in India
Will the Indian Government divert the Ganges?
One of the issues I have been monitoring this week besides the US presidential soap opera is the heavy rain in China and the strain it is putting on their mega-dam Three Gorges Project. Aside from the fact the project itself is an environmental catastrophe, matters are exacerbated somewhat by the fact surrounding landscapes have been denuded of flora which increases the amount of run-off. Hundreds of people have been killed in the mud slides and flash floods. Sadly, deaths caused by eco-terrorism don't seem to get the same amount of air-play on CNN and BBC World. Why some governments appear so intent on reshaping the forces of nature is a source of great puzzlement to me. I blogged some time ago on the Spanish government's hydrological hair-brained scheme, while the Indian government has an equally ludicrous idea in the shape of its River Linking Project. India's new PM, Dr. Manmohan Singh, formed a task force to review the project shortly after taking up office. I haven't heard anything since. With any luck, the idea might disappear deep into the bowels of the Indian bureaucracy never to see the light of day again.
Posted by jeremy at September 10, 2004 04:27 PM
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A young migrant worker shovels heavily polluted mud and water from an almost dried up river bed. Image source: AFP. http://english.epochtimes.com/news/4-2-5/19422.html On BBC World these last few days, I've been watching China Week with interest - a s... [Read More]
Tracked on March 11, 2005 11:55 AM
Comments
While I applaud the ecological stance taken in this blog, I wonder how the gap in polarity of ideology can be bridged? I agree that visionary thoughts need to be expressed, but in terms of offering a viable alternative, is there anything that can be offered? Preaching to the converted only places the righteous in a less tangible, and perhaps less relevant, quadrant of the debate. I wonder how one would go about persuading the Indian Government down a more ecologically sustainable route? I wonder what the death-toll would be taking this more ecologically palatable course, if that is a measure of success?
Posted by: Matthew at September 23, 2004 06:31 PM
Please see E13 in website updated Oct 1, 2004
http://balasainet.com/mngogate
a side issue about linking rivers in India
(also many other interesting articles)
Posted by: Madhukar N Gogate at October 5, 2004 11:55 PM
is good. but i want some more information from u.
Posted by: asaithambi at October 13, 2004 06:56 PM
Please send more information on River Linking Project in India.
Jayakumar AROCKIASAMY
Executive Director
Mother Theresa Development Research Institute
123, Mariyamman Koil Street, Ponmalaipatti
Trichy, Tamil Nadu, India - 620 004.
Posted by: Jayakumar Arockiasamy at June 22, 2005 12:06 PM
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