Future Trends in Water Resource Development in India to Strengthen Rural Economy through Development of Irrigated Agriculture

Large reservoir based multi purpose irrigation projects became a reality in India only after Independence. Besides providing the much needed water input to agriculture it facilitated hydroelectricity generation that led to extensive use of pump sets in agriculture. Opposition against large dams started when people evicted from dam area could not be properly rehabilitated and the height of the dams posed a threat to the environment and increased the probability of earthquakes etc. A report on Dams and Development prepared by World Commission on Dams and released in 2000 came out heavily against the construction of large dams. In the present paper the author argues that large dams are a necessity in India and they have to be continued. Small dams and micro irrigation schemes should also be given a try.