Interlinking of Indian Rivers

In our Indian culture, rivers are worshipped as life-giving mother. For an agricultural country like India, rivers are even more important. Based on a comprehensive research, the book explains the social, economic and commercial significance of linking of rivers in the country. The present book also discusses National Water Policy and disputes over distribution of water resources all over the sub-continent of India.

Water being a state subject according to the constitution of India, several measures for development and management of available water resources are undertaken by the respective state government, which include creation of storages, restoration of water bodies and regulating the water flow in the rivers. The concept of river linking is most important in this regard.

Radha Kant Bharati born at Nalanda, Bihar in 1939 has been a serious scholar of Geography. He has edited Bhagirath, a journal of water resources, for several years. He has written copiously on aspects related to geography, tourism, sociology etc. His documentaries on major rivers of India have been highly appreciated and won fellowship of Royal Geographical Society, London.

He has authored several popular books in Hindi and English namely Bharat ki Nadiyan (translated into English as Rivers of India) Modern Temples of India, Kahawaton ki kahaniyan, Bihar ka Adhunik Bhugol etc.

Transfer of surplus waters to the deficit areas and thereby improving the economy and quality of life equitably across the country has been a dream of the people of India since long. Such transfers have of late, been named as Interlinking of Rivers (ILR) programme.

After independence, considerable thought and planning effort has been devoted to the scheme. Dr. K.L.. Rao's, Ganga Cauvery link and Captain Dastur's garland canal proposals have captured the imagination of the people across the country and cutting across ages and generations as well as backgrounds, perhaps every knowledgeable citizen of the country is aware of such proposals and benefits that can accrue from them.

Government of India prepared a National Perspective Plan in 1980, which identified Inter basin transfers that can be implemented in Peninsular India and also transfers from Himalayan Rivers of Ganga and Brahmputra Basin Rivers. The national perspective plan has undergone further firming up through National Water Development Agency a society constituted under Ministry of Water Resources with states as members. Systematic efforts to study and plan the transfers have been in operation since 1982.

**Contents and Sample Pages**