This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-india-28520899

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Are India's big dams safe? Are India's big dams safe?
(1 day later)
A recent survey by the Indian government has found out that more than 600 large dams in the country are located in high-intensity seismic zones - areas which are considered to be most vulnerable and prone to earthquakes.A recent survey by the Indian government has found out that more than 600 large dams in the country are located in high-intensity seismic zones - areas which are considered to be most vulnerable and prone to earthquakes.
India has more than 30 river basins, each with a catchment area exceeding several thousand square miles. Some 5,000 large dams have been built in 22 of its 29 states. At least 3,000 of these dams have been built in the last 50 years.India has more than 30 river basins, each with a catchment area exceeding several thousand square miles. Some 5,000 large dams have been built in 22 of its 29 states. At least 3,000 of these dams have been built in the last 50 years.
In a country where more than half the population is engaged in agriculture, the majority of these dams provide irrigation to some 90 million hectares of farmland. A miniscule 3% of these dams are used as a source for generating hydro-electricity. In a country where more than half the population is engaged in agriculture, the majority of these dams provide irrigation to some 90 million hectares of farmland. A minuscule 3% of these dams are used as a source for generating hydro-electricity.
Questions, however, have been raised over the safety of these dams after Japan's Fukushima nuclear power plant was devastated by the March 2011 earthquake and tsunami. More than 1,000 people were killed in the region.Questions, however, have been raised over the safety of these dams after Japan's Fukushima nuclear power plant was devastated by the March 2011 earthquake and tsunami. More than 1,000 people were killed in the region.
'Absolutely safe''Absolutely safe'
Successive Indian governments have maintained that almost all the dams in the seismic zones can withstand any high-intensity earthquake or tsunami and safety reviews have been done on a regular basis.Successive Indian governments have maintained that almost all the dams in the seismic zones can withstand any high-intensity earthquake or tsunami and safety reviews have been done on a regular basis.
India's Earth Science Minister Jitendra Singh recently assured the parliament that "not only dams but all nuclear power plants were inspected following the Fukushima incident and they are absolutely safe".India's Earth Science Minister Jitendra Singh recently assured the parliament that "not only dams but all nuclear power plants were inspected following the Fukushima incident and they are absolutely safe".
But many experts believe that several Indian dams are too old and becoming increasingly unsafe. They say these dams should be pulled down and replaced by new ones.But many experts believe that several Indian dams are too old and becoming increasingly unsafe. They say these dams should be pulled down and replaced by new ones.
They point out that the US, with more than 65,000 small and large dams - some built as early as the 19th Century - has led the world in pulling down old dams and building new ones.They point out that the US, with more than 65,000 small and large dams - some built as early as the 19th Century - has led the world in pulling down old dams and building new ones.
"At least 100 large dams in India were built more than a century ago. Most of these are vulnerable," says Himanshu Thakkar, coordinator of the South Asia Network on Dams, Rivers and People."At least 100 large dams in India were built more than a century ago. Most of these are vulnerable," says Himanshu Thakkar, coordinator of the South Asia Network on Dams, Rivers and People.
Dam disasters are not uncommon in India:Dam disasters are not uncommon in India:
Water officials in India say decommissioning dams is a long process and involves building alternative dams in advance - an expensive exercise.Water officials in India say decommissioning dams is a long process and involves building alternative dams in advance - an expensive exercise.
Safety reviewSafety review
Ashwin Pandya, head of India's Central Water Commission, feels India is a developing economy with increasing population pressure and demands for irrigation and electricity.Ashwin Pandya, head of India's Central Water Commission, feels India is a developing economy with increasing population pressure and demands for irrigation and electricity.
"Millions in India depend on agriculture only because the dams are in place. Indeed, their safety needs to be reviewed periodically, but if you bring down the old structures what will happen to people dependent on them for survival?" he says."Millions in India depend on agriculture only because the dams are in place. Indeed, their safety needs to be reviewed periodically, but if you bring down the old structures what will happen to people dependent on them for survival?" he says.
A proposed law to provide for surveillance, inspection, operation and maintenance of all dams is yet to be passed by the parliament.A proposed law to provide for surveillance, inspection, operation and maintenance of all dams is yet to be passed by the parliament.
Experts like Ramaswamy Aiyyar say there is not enough research in India before building dams.Experts like Ramaswamy Aiyyar say there is not enough research in India before building dams.
"Several dams are in flood prone, landslide prone and geologically weak areas, especially the Himalayan and western Indian region. Since most are man-made and not natural they become hotbeds of dam induced seismicity which means large accumulation of water affecting the movement of earth beneath the surface."Several dams are in flood prone, landslide prone and geologically weak areas, especially the Himalayan and western Indian region. Since most are man-made and not natural they become hotbeds of dam induced seismicity which means large accumulation of water affecting the movement of earth beneath the surface.
"This leads to frequent high or low tremors in the affected regions," he explains."This leads to frequent high or low tremors in the affected regions," he explains.