Inter Basin Water Transfer Linkages in India to Projected Climate Change: The Case of the Sankh-South Koel-Subarnarekha link.

English Abstract:

The Sankh-South Koel-Subarnarekha (S-SK-Sr) link is part of ambitious inter-basin water transfer (IBWT) project of Government of India. It is an intra-state IBWT project proposed by State Government of Jharkhand, India. The core idea of the proposal is an engineering oriented project that transfers excess water available in one water-rich basin to another water-poor basin. Proponents claimed IBWT will resolve water scarcity issues; however critics raised several concerns regarding the impacts and feasibility of the scheme. Some early results of feasibility studies, being carried out by the National Water Development Agency, India have been questioned by scholars on the basis of lack of transparency in the data, methodology and techniques used (Prabhu, 2008). In particular the NWDA studies overlooked the resilience of IBWT projects to projected climate change (Bharati et al. 2011). Gupta and Zaag (2008) advocated for independent research on IBWT projects by highlighting the ‘engineering, science and politics interlock’ (p.31). The present research study is part of such independent research (an on-going PhD) and makes an effort to evaluate the Sankh-South Koel-Subarnarekha link and its catchments under projected climate change. The research study area covers two basins of S-SK-Sr link, the Brahmani basin (donor) and the Subarnarekha basin (receiver) in Jharkhand, India. Most notably, the study makes effort to use publically available datasets and models (either free or with minimal cost). It examines, catchment hydrology at a range of scales using historical information and models water availability for the two basins without and with the proposed S-SK-Sr link. It produces two baselines- Catchments with and without IBWT link which facilitate the analysis and comparison of water availability in the basins under present climate conditions. It enables the analysis of the impact of IBWT link on catchments. Then model incorporates regional climate model (RCM) outputs to predict the percentage change in baseline scenarios both with and without the link in place. The research enables guidelines and recommendations for the S-SK-Sr link to be developed which could also be considered for other such projects.