The Hindu Editorial Analysis- 9th January 2025 | Current Affairs & Hindu Analysis: Daily, Weekly & Monthly - UPSC PDF Download

River interlinking, the fount of environmental disaster

Why in News?

• On December 25, 2024, Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone for the Ken-Betwa River Link Project.
• The project aims to address water scarcity in the Bundelkhand region, spanning parts of Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh.

Ken-Betwa River Link Project Overview

• Ecological Concerns: The project involves building a dam within the Panna Tiger Reserve, raising concerns about ecological submergence and the impact on local wildlife.
• Water Transfer: The aim is to link the surplus Ken River with the water-deficient Betwa River to alleviate water scarcity.

A Historical Perspective on River Interlinking

• Early Proposals: The concept of inter-basin water transfer was initially proposed by Sir Arthur Cotton 130 years ago and later refined by M. Visvesvaraya.
• National Water Grid: In the 1970s and 1980s, K.L. Rao and Captain Dinshaw J. Dastur expanded the idea, leading to the establishment of the ‘National Water Grid.’
• NWDA Formation: The National Water Development Agency (NWDA) was set up in 1982 to study the feasibility of interlinking 30 river systems.
• Cost Estimates: The estimated cost for river interlinking projects is ₹5.5 lakh crore, excluding additional social, environmental, and operational expenses.

Environmental and Economic Criticism

• Environmental Concerns: Experts criticize the Ken-Betwa project for its environmental costs and potential disruption of natural ecosystems.
• Ignoring Ecological Niches: Critics argue that such projects overlook the importance of ecological niches, deltaic regions, and the long-term impacts of climate change.
• Overlooking Eco-Services: Policymakers’ focus on surplus water neglects essential river eco-services like silt transport, land fertility, and groundwater recharge.
• Deltaic Ecosystem Impact: Diverting river water harms deltaic ecosystems crucial for biodiversity and local livelihoods.

Lessons from Global Examples

• Indus Delta: The degradation of Pakistan’s Indus Delta due to water diversion projects highlights the negative consequences of such actions.
• Sardar Sarovar Dam: The environmental impact of the Sardar Sarovar Dam on the Narmada River in India serves as a cautionary example.
• International Cases: The channelization of Florida’s Kissimmee River and the depletion of the Aral Sea illustrate the failures of geoengineering initiatives.

Root Causes of India’s Water Crisis

• Management Issues: The water crisis in India is primarily due to poor water management, inadequate environmental practices, legal ambiguities, and corruption.
• Need for Holistic Policy:. comprehensive national water policy focusing on watershed management and effective aquifer regulation is essential.
• Engaging Farmers: Involving farmers in efficient irrigation practices and promoting wastewater reuse programs can significantly alleviate the water crisis.

Lessons from Israel’s Water Management

• Drip Irrigation: Israel’s use of drip irrigation, which saves 25%-75% of pumped water, exemplifies efficient agricultural water use.
• Modern Irrigation Techniques: Adopting advanced irrigation methods in India can reduce water, fertilizer, and pesticide usage while preserving aquifer health.

Contradictions in Policy and Cultural Values

• Cultural Paradox: Despite the cultural reverence for rivers in India, projects like river interlinking pose a threat to their existence.
• Overexploitation: Rivers are being overexploited through excessive dam construction, industrial pollution, and commodification for religious purposes.

Conclusion

The Ken-Betwa project illustrates the difficulty of reconciling development needs with ecological sustainability. A multidisciplinary approach, drawing lessons from both global and local practices, is vital for effectively addressing India’s water crisis.

The right to food and the struggle with the PDS

Why in News?

Recent reports from Jharkhand, Odisha, and Bihar have raised serious concerns about the Public Distribution System (PDS).

• A large number of households have been removed from PDS lists, leaving them without access to necessary rations.

Impact on Marginalized Communities: Case Study

• The Musahar community in Bihar, one of the most disadvantaged caste groups, is experiencing significant difficulties with the PDS.
• Many Musahar families in Patna district either do not have active ration cards or face issues where not all family members are included on the cards.

Biometric Verification Challenges

• The requirement for biometric verification at Fair Price Shops (FPS) has led to increased exclusions from the PDS.
• When verification fails, names are removed from PDS lists, forcing individuals to reapply for new ration cards.

Corruption in the PDS System

• Corruption is rampant within the PDS, further compromising its effectiveness.
• Households with Priority Household (PHH) ration cards receive only four kilograms of food grain per person instead of the required five kilograms.
• The quality of rice distributed is often poor, and wheat is frequently not provided at all.

Documentation and Enrollment Hurdles

• Enrollment in the PDS is hindered by unnecessary documentation requirements.
• In Bihar, both paper-based and online applications are accepted, but officials improperly demand caste, income, and residence certificates, which are not legally required under the National Food Security Act (NFSA), 2013, and the PDS Control Order, 2015.
• Similar documentation issues are present in Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh, and Madhya Pradesh.
• These requirements are an oversight in digitized systems and create barriers for vulnerable populations.

Exploitation of the Marginalized

• Bureaucratic complexities have opened avenues for exploitation.
• Middlemen take advantage of applicants, charging over ₹3,000 to assist in obtaining ration cards, often without delivering results.

Delays in Ration Card Issuance

• The 2015 directive stipulates that ration cards should be issued within 30 days of application.
• However, many applications are pending for periods ranging from 4 to 18 months, depriving individuals of essential resources.

Governance and Welfare Disconnect

• The government’s emphasis on digitization and “smart cities” has resulted in a disconnection from citizen welfare.
• Systemic issues, bureaucratic hurdles, and official apathy worsen the challenges faced by marginalized communities.

Way Forward

• Universal enrollment in the PDS and reduction of documentation requirements can improve inclusivity.
• Tackling corruption, streamlining processes, and establishing grievance redressal mechanisms can enhance access to rations.
• Governments should prioritize the fundamental right to food, as affirmed in the case of People’s Union of Civil Liberties vs Union of India (1996), over bureaucratic procedures.