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Narmada River Valley Development
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# : |
18273 |
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Section : |
CULTURE
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| Issue
Date : |
10 / 1990 |
3,089 Words |
| Author
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Lalit Gambhir
Lalit Gambhir is a free-lance photojournalist affiliated with
The World & I Photo Agency. Based in New Delhi, he engaged in
field research in Manipur during September and October 1990. |
The Western Indian state of Gujarat is today recognized as one of the fastest-growing states in India. However, it is highly susceptible to drought and, consequently, famine. Therefore, the development of successful irrigation system has emerged as perhaps the state's highest priority.
Gujarat is bordered by Pakistan to the northwest, Rajasthan to the northeast, Madhya Pradesh to the east, Maharashtra to the southeast, and the Arabian Sea to the west and south. The state has an area of 19,600 square kilometers and a population of thirty-six million. Of the total population, 31 percent is urbanized, and the industrial and trade sectors enjoy comparative prosperity. An additional 60 percent of the working population is engaged in agriculture, thereby contributing to 35 percent of the state's income. But without an adequate fresh water supply, the state's future remains somewhat precarious.
The greatest available natural resource is the Narmada River. From its mouth into the Gulf of Cambay, the Narmada is the largest westward-flowing river in central India. Narmada traverses 1,312 kilometers and has forty-one tributaries. With an annual average discharge of forty-two billion cubic meters, it has a catchment area of about 98,000 square kilometers. Dense forest - teak, sal (Shorea robusta, a local hardwood), and bamboo are its most prominent species - covers 32 percent of the Narmada basin.
Consequently, the state governments of Madhya Pradesh, and Gujarat have planned to build two large dams - which are central to a much larger development plan comprising 30 major public works projects, 125 medium projects and over 3,000 minor
... (1995 of 18706 Characters)
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