Question

essay on dams .......​

Answer 1

Answer:

A dam may be defined as a solid barrier constructed at a suitable location across a river valley with a view of impounding water flowing through that river.

Dams are constructed for achieving any one or more of the following objectives:

(i) Generation of hydropower energy;

(ii) Providing water for irrigation facilities;

(iii) Providing water supply for domestic consumption and industrial uses;

(iv) Fighting droughts and controlling of floods;

(v) Providing navigational facilities;

Additional benefits coming from dams are development of fisheries and recreation facilities in the reservoirs created by them and also the overall greenery effect all along the reservoirs.

In a country like India where rainfall is erratic and depends considerably on the vagaries of seasonal winds – the monsoons, importance of dams can hardly be overemphasized. Hundreds of thousands kilometer long irrigational canals being fed by reservoirs created by around four thousand minor and major dams spread throughout the country have been responsible, to a great extent, for making India self-sufficient in food production.