QUESTION 8
GS3
10 marks
Not many years ago, river linking was a concept but it is becoming a reality in the country. Discuss the advantages of river linking and its possible impact on the environment.
WRITE IN
7 min
150 words
What the examiner wants
Discuss the benefits of interlinking rivers and their environmental effects.
DiscussExplain the different sides of the issue, use evidence, and finish with a balanced view.
Demand-wise check
- 1Concept: National Perspective Plan (1980); 30 links (16 peninsular, 14 Himalayan); Ken–Betwa is the first being built≈30 words
- 2Advantages: transfer from surplus to deficit basins, irrigation, drought and flood reduction, hydropower, navigation, drinking water≈30 words
- 3Environmental impacts: forest and wildlife loss (Panna Tiger Reserve), reduced sediment to deltas, saline intrusion, changed river ecology, displacement≈30 words
- 4Balance: basin-level EIA, local water harvesting alternatives≈30 words
Open in about 20 words and close in about 20.
Answer plan
Concept and statusAdvantagesEnvironmental impactsBalanced approachConclusion
Where marks usually go
- Only advantages
- No mention of Ken–Betwa as a real case
Draw this
- Map of proposed Himalayan and peninsular links
Value addition
- ProjectKen–Betwa link approved in December 2021 at ₹44,605 crore; it submerges part of Panna Tiger Reserve.Union Cabinet, 2021
- CaseIn re: Networking of Rivers (2012), the Supreme Court asked the government to implement the programme through a special committee.Supreme Court, 2012
Mapped topper copies
Reviewed public-source references related to this PYQ. Same-syllabus references are labelled separately.
- Shakti Dubey · AIR 1 · Page 17 ↗Reviewed PYQ reference
- Aniket Ranjan · AIR 48 · Page 15 ↗Same syllabus reference
- Shakti Dubey · AIR 1 · Page 41 ↗Same syllabus reference
- Aniket Ranjan · AIR 48 · Page 41 ↗Same syllabus reference
Links open original public sources. MainsBuddy does not host these answer sheets.
Next: plan for one minute, write it in 7 minutes, then get it checked.