(ii) Inter basin transfer projects have also been planned and implemented in China and former USSR. A
notable scheme executed in the USSR is Irtysh Karaganda scheme in the central Kazakistan. The link
canal is about 450 Km long with a maximum capacity of 75 cumecs. Lift involved is 14 to 22 m. other
proposals include partial redistribution of water resources of northern rivers and lakes of European part to
the Caspian sea basin involving 2 M.ha-m of water.
(iii) In china recently completed inter basin transfer include Biliuha-Daliah inter basin water supply system,
trans basin transfer of Luhana river to Tiajian river and Tengshan. Diversion of yellow river surpluses and
south to north transfer project.
Promises Pitfalls
Transfer 173 billion cubic metres of water to More inter state water disputes; Diplomatic
water-stressed regions row with Bangladesh &Nepal
The foreign schemes give confidence for planning inter-basin water transfer schemes in India. At
the same time, lessons have to be learnt from their actual performance, economic viability and
environmental suitability.
The envisaged benefits to water-deficit regions of the country through interlinking of rivers and
also solution for problems such as flood as seen from case study of Bihar should be assessed and
analysed in terms of economic, environmental and ecological as well as social cost involved and finding
options and alternatives in the context.
at 6:59 AM 19 comments
(2) They are likely to cause substantial displacement of people giving rise to problems of resettlement and
rehabilitation. As the people to be displaced will be far from being beneficiaries, there is bound to be
resistance on their part.
(3) As these long link channels may pass through dense forest and habitats of wildlife, their ecological
consequences may be serious and substantive.
(4) Import of vast amount of water in arid or semi-arid areas may adversely affect their dry land ecology.