NGT on Bhakra Dam Mismanagement: UPSC Current Affairs

Description

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Picture Courtesy: THEHINDU

Context

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) raised concerns about the management of the Bhakra and Pong dams, directing the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) and various central and state government bodies to respond to allegations of gross mismanagement.

Read all about: DAM MANAGEMENT l CONSTRUCTION OF DAMS: ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES l DAMS AND RESERVOIRS IN INDIA l SAFETY OF DAMS

About Bhakra and Pong dams

Bhakra Dam

River: Sutlej
Type: Concrete Gravity Dam
Reservoir: Gobind Sagar
Significance: India's second tallest dam, major source of water and power.

Pong Dam

River: Beas
Type: Earth-fill Dam
Reservoir: Maharana Pratap Sagar (Pong Reservoir)
Significance: Declared a Wetland of National Importance and wildlife sanctuary.

Management of Bhakra and Pong dams

Beneficiaries: Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, Himachal Pradesh.
Functions: Hydro-power and irrigation.
Management: Regulated by the BBMB, with technical committees managing water release during monsoons for flood moderation.

Consequences of Dam Mismanagement

The Punjab Floods

The July-August 2025 Punjab floods, caused by heavy rainfall in Himachal Pradesh, were exacerbated by dam authorities being forced to release massive water volumes due to insufficient reservoir storage.

Ecological and Economic Impact

Environmental Degradation: Sudden and massive water releases (hydropeaking) cause severe riverbank erosion, destroy aquatic habitats, and degrade the entire riverine ecosystem.
Agricultural Loss: Floods deposited vast amounts of sand and silt over fertile agricultural lands, making them unproductive for several years and causing immense economic hardship for farmers.

India's Dam Safety Framework

India has a multi-tiered legal and institutional framework to ensure the safety and proper functioning of its dams.

Institution / Act	Key Mandate & Provisions
Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB)	A statutory body responsible for administering, operating, and maintaining the Bhakra and Beas projects. Regulates water and power supply to Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, and Himachal Pradesh.
Central Water Commission (CWC)	It provides guidelines on dam safety, inspection, and the formulation of emergency action plans.
The Dam Safety Act 2021	Provides for the surveillance, inspection, operation, and maintenance of all specified dams in India. Mandates the creation of a National Committee on Dam Safety (NCDS) for policy formulation. Establishes the National Dam Safety Authority (NDSA) as the central regulatory body for implementation and enforcement. Requires dam owners to conduct regular risk assessments and prepare comprehensive Emergency Action Plans (EAPs).

Way Forward

Review of Rule Curves

An independent expert body must urgently revise the rule curves for all major dams, incorporating the latest climate change projections and hydrological models.

Strict Enforcement of Dam Safety Act, 2021

The National Dam Safety Authority (NDSA) must be empowered to conduct independent safety audits and enforce strict compliance with all provisions of the Act.

Embrace Technology and Transparency

Dam operators need modern tools for real-time monitoring and decisions. Making operational data (reservoir levels, water flows) public to ensures accountability.

Integrated River Basin Management

Dam management requires a comprehensive strategy encompassing floodplain zoning, advanced downstream early warning systems, and catchment area treatment to mitigate erosion and siltation.

Source: THEHINDU

Attempt Daily Quiz

PRACTICE QUESTION

Q. What does the term "Rule Curve" signify in the context of Dam Management?

A) The architectural curve of a gravity dam's wall.

B) A graph showing the maximum possible height a dam can reach before breaching.

C) A predetermined schedule of reservoir levels to be maintained at different times of the year.

D) The trajectory of water release through spillway gates.

Answer: C

Explanation:

A "Rule Curve" in the context of dam management is a graphical representation or a set of guidelines that specifies the target reservoir water levels (or storage volumes) to be maintained on specific dates throughout the year.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Rule curves are operational guidelines that specify the ideal water level a dam's reservoir should maintain throughout the year. The 1990 rule curves are problematic because they are based on historical weather data that is no longer representative. They fail to incorporate climate change science and advanced weather forecasting, making them inadequate for preventing floods in today's volatile climate.

The Dam Safety Act, 2021, is a central law that provides a comprehensive framework for the surveillance, inspection, operation, and maintenance of specified dams across India. It mandates the creation of national and state-level bodies (like the National Dam Safety Authority) to ensure dam safety and requires dam owners to prepare emergency action plans and conduct regular risk assessments.

The BBMB is a statutory body created under the Punjab Reorganisation Act, 1966. Its primary role is to administer, operate, and maintain the Bhakra and Beas projects. It regulates the supply of water and power from these projects to the partner states: Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, and Himachal Pradesh.