Why in News
The High Court of Karnataka has banned all types of mining and quarrying activities within a 20-km radius of the historic Krishnarajasagar (KRS) dam in Mandya district.
The ban will apply even for those mining activities within a 20-km radius for which permissions/licences were already granted by the authorities, or already operating in the area, or were permitted on the orders of the court in earlier rounds of litigation.
Krishnarajasagar (KRS) dam – in which river & district
The Krishnarajasagar (KRS) dam is located on the Kaveri River in the Mandya district of Karnataka.
The dam is named after Krishnaraja Wodeyar IV, the Maharaja of Mysore who commissioned its construction in 1911.
It was completed in 1932 and is a gravity dam made of surki mortar, a traditional Indian hydraulic lime mortar.
The KRS dam is a vital source of water for Karnataka, providing irrigation for the districts of Mysore and Mandya,
This dam is also used for drinking water for Mysore, Mandya, and the capital city of Bengaluru.
It also plays a crucial role in regulating the flow of the Kaveri River, which is a source of contention between Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.
Dam Safety Act, 2021
The Dam Safety Act, 2021 aims,
To Prevent dam failures and their devastating consequences by ensuring proper surveillance, inspection, operation, and maintenance of dams.
Establish robust institutional mechanisms for dam safety across India.
Classification of dams: Based on vulnerability and hazard potential, requiring stricter measures for high-risk dams.
State Dam Safety Organizations (SDSOs): Established in each state to manage dam safety, conduct inspections, and issue safety instructions.
National Dam Safety Authority (NDSA): Apex body to provide technical guidance, set standards, and audit dam safety practices.
Improved monitoring and data collection: Regular inspections, logbooks for recording safety activities, and mandatory information sharing with NDSA.
Emergency preparedness: Development of emergency action plans and flood warning systems for high-risk dams.
Financial provisions: Allocation of funds for maintenance, repairs, and upgrading of dams.
Accountability: Penalties for non-compliance with the Act and negligence leading to dam safety issues.
What is the Need for Dam Safety?
The need for dam safety is multifaceted and crucial for protecting people, property, and the environment.
Protecting Human Life: Dam failures can have catastrophic consequences, leading to the loss of life downstream.
Floods caused by dam breaks can sweep away entire communities, leaving hundreds or even thousands dead.
Ensuring dam safety reduces this risk and safeguards precious lives.
Preventing Property Damage: Dam failures can cause widespread destruction of infrastructure,
homes, and agricultural land.
The economic cost of such disasters can be astronomical, running into billions of dollars.
By prioritizing dam safety, we can minimize these economic losses and prevent the displacement of families and communities.
Safeguarding Water Security: Dams often play a vital role in water management, providing irrigation for agriculture, drinking water for communities, and generating hydroelectric power.
Dam failures can disrupt these critical water supplies, leading to droughts, waterborne diseases, and power outages.
Ensuring dam safety protects vital water resources and their continued use.
Preserving Environmental Health: Dams can alter the natural flow of rivers and ecosystems, impacting fish populations, plant life, and water quality.
Dam failures can further exacerbate these environmental concerns, causing pollution, sedimentation, and habitat destruction.
Prioritizing dam safety helps mitigate these environmental risks and protect the ecological integrity of river systems.
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