What objections have been raised against multi-purpose river valley projects? Explain any three.

(a) In recent years, multi-purpose projects and large dams have come under great scrutiny and opposition. Varions objections have been raised. The reasons for these are as given below:
(l) Regulating and damming of rivers affect their natural flow causing poor sediment flow and excessive sedimentation at the bottom of the reservoir.
(ii) lt results in rockier stream beds and poorer habitats for the rivers aquatics life.
(iii) Dams fragment rivers making it difficult for aquatic fauna to migrate especially for spawning.
(iv) The reservoir submerge the existing vegetation and soil leading to decomposition over a period of life.
(v) These projects have benefited the landowners, large farmers, industrialists and few urban centers.
(vi) Irrigation has changed the cropping pattern of many regions which has led to great ecological consequences like salinisation of the soil.
(vii) It has transformed the social landscape i.e., increasing the social gap between the richer landowners and the landless poor.
(viii) The projects have led to conflicts among people and among states too.
(b) The ‘Narmada Bachao Andolan’ and the ‘Tehri Dam Andolarr’ are associated with the multi-purpose projects.