The Sawalkote Project: A Test Case for National Security and Ecological Responsibility
UPSC Relevance
Prelims: Indian Geography (River Systems - Chenab); Environment & Ecology (Hydroelectric projects, Environmental Impact Assessment); International Relations (Indus Waters Treaty - IWT).
Mains:
General Studies Paper 2 (International Relations): India and its neighborhood- relations. The IWT is a core topic.
General Studies Paper 3 (Environment, Economy, Security): Infrastructure: Energy; Conservation, environmental impact assessment; Security challenges and their management in border areas. This article perfectly integrates Environment, Security, and International Relations.
Key Highlights from the News
The central government's approval for the Sawalkote Hydroelectric Project on the Chenab river in Jammu and Kashmir raises several environmental, economic, and diplomatic concerns.
This project is primarily seen as a geopolitical move following India's freezing of the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT).
Key Concerns Raised by the Author:
Environmental Risk: The Chenab river already has numerous dams like Dulhasti, Baglihar, and Salal. Studies on the cumulative impact of a new large project have not been conducted.
Misclassification: Although it is described as a "run-of-the-river" project, its large reservoir makes it equivalent to a storage dam. This may violate the provisions of the IWT.
Social Impact: Approximately 1,500 families will need to be displaced. However, only 0.6% of the project cost is allocated for rehabilitation costs.
Diplomatic Risk: Unilateral violation of treaties will affect India’s credibility as a trustworthy nation. This could lead to third-party scrutiny in future disputes.
The article strongly argues that national security and ecological responsibility are not mutually exclusive but rather mutually reinforcing.
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