Ecology, Environment and Conservation Paper

CRITICAL ANALYSIS OF RIVER LINKING PROJECTS-BENEFITS TOGUJARAT STATE, INDIA

Jain R.K., Gokhale Chandrakant S., Dulal Golder and Goyal Rajesh4

Abstract

The Interlinking of Rivers (ILR) is a vast program of country which shall provide additional irrigationpotential of 35 Mha over and above conventional means of irrigation potential of 140 Mha. Undoubtedly itwill have positive impact on mitigation of adverse impact of climate change. The study is a part of reviewof ILR program and its likely benefits to various region of country. As we are aware that eastern region ofcountry has abundant water while States like Rajasthan, Saurashtra and Kutch region of Gujarat havingnearly arid zone. Present study has been done to critically examine and visualize the ILR Projects benefittingSaurashtra and Kutch regions of Gujarat. The average availability of rainfall varies from 200 cm plus inSouth Gujarat to less than 10 cm in Kutch region of Gujarat. One of the priority link under ILR viz. Par-Tapi-Narmada envisages transfer of surplus water in water surplus region of South Gujarat to northernregion of Gujarat having acute shortage or no water. The study also confirms that Par-Tapi-Narmada Linkonce implemented with introduction of micro irrigation and introduction of solar power to optimize costand maximum benefits. The analysis confirms that economic impact of link in the region.