Analysis of Large Dam Storage Capacity and Its Effect on Water Demand Management in India

Abstract

Dams are considered to be temples of modern India as they serve monumental purposes like water conservation, drought and flood control, irrigation, energy requirements, and food security; however, they also have major socioeconomic and environmental drawbacks. Currently, significant parts of India suffer from agricultural drought, and we need to combat this through critically analyzing our water resource management policies. Our policies are centered on large dams. However, the study shows that large dams are not fulfilling the irrigation requirements of different states in India. We need to change our path that is a large dam-driven and should implement cost-effective, environment-friendly, and socially acceptable measures to conserve water and alleviate water scarcity.