DRP 230326: Small Hydro environment friendly and help community development?

March 23, 2026March 23, 2026 SANDRPLeave a comment

(Feature Image: Priyadarshini Small HEP on Manuni khad in Kangra, Himachal Pradesh damaged after flash flood in June 2025. At least 8 workers of the project were also killed in the disaster. Image Source: Gems of Himachal, post on X.)

The impression being given through the following PIB Press Release dated March 18 2026 that this scheme cleared by the Union Cabinet to promote small hydropower projects will promote environment friendly and socio-economically beneficial projects in North East and other hilly areas is incorrect and misleading.

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Dams, Rivers & People

DRP 160326: Urgent need for adaptive reservoir management in India

March 16, 2026March 16, 2026 SANDRPLeave a comment

(Feature Image: Vyasi dam on Yamuna river in Uttarakhand. Bhim Singh Rawat/SANDRP)

A detailed report this week in an international Water Power Magazine underlines the urgent need for India, as rest of the world to adopt adaptive reservoir management. This has become urgent as under changing climate, the Probable Maximum Precipitation figures are changing fast. In India, it has already increased by 35% in 84% of mainland. This makes the current reservoir operation models including rule curves and spillway capacities outdated. Human activities in the catchment and aging infrastructure are making the situation worse.

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Dams, Rivers & People

DRP 090326: Polavaram Dam Safety questioned

March 9, 2026 SANDRPLeave a comment

(Feature Image: Polavaram Dam. Source: The Hindu)

The safety issues related to Polavaram dam has been under focus for some weeks now. It has come under sharper focus last week due to some very specific questions about various aspects of the Dam, from CWC, Centre for Liberty and former MP Vundavalli Arun Kumar. The project has also been under scrutiny by a panel of experts from abroad. However, the work of the Panel of Experts has remained under wraps so far, which should not have been the case.

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Dams, Rivers & People

DRP 020326: NDMA Compendium on Disaster Case studies welcome, what about accountability?

March 2, 2026March 2, 2026 SANDRPLeave a comment

(Feature Image Cover Photo of NDMA Case Studies Compendium)

The National Disaster Management Authority has published “NDMA-Case Studies Compendium” in forward of this document, NDMA members and secretary state the following, which is worth quoting here:

“The NDMA – Case Studies Compendium represents a consolidated effort to capture ten significant disaster events across the country. Each case study provides a detailed analysis of causes, responses, challenges, and lessons learnt. Together, they form a repository of knowledge that not only serves as a record of past experiences but also as a guide for shaping future strategies. The document underscores the value of applying evidence- based learning to real-world scenarios, thereby enabling stakeholders to strengthen their capacities for prevention, mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery… The compendium also brings out recurring themes such as the indispensability of multi-agency coordination, the role of technology and innovation, the importance of community engagement, and the need for continuous institutional reforms… It is our firm belief that these documented experiences will empower senior administrators and disaster managers to make informed, timely, and effective decisions when confronted with emergencies… This… is presented with the hope that it will inspire reflection, strengthen institutional capacities, and promote a culture of continuous learning in disaster risk reduction and management.”

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Dams, Rivers & People

DRP 230226: Time for a Nationwide INDEPENDENT AUDIT of Dam Safety

February 23, 2026February 23, 2026 SANDRPLeave a comment

(Feature Image: Cracks in Medigadda barrage structure. Source: DC, Jan. 2024)

The recommendation of Nation-wide audit of Dam Safety in India in the editorial in Deccan Herald, following International Conference on Dam Safety in Bangalore on Feb 12-13 is very important and timely, the only added proviso required is that the audit must be independent. Dam Safety is essential for public safety and how can this objective be achieved if everything related to dam safety is shrouded in secrecy, with entry to all work and meetings restricted to what the government describes as experts, mostly govt officials, current and retired.

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Dams, Rivers & People

DRP 160226: National River Research Centre Welcome, will it help the cause of rivers?

February 16, 2026February 16, 2026 SANDRPLeave a comment

The news this week that the Union Ministry of Jal Shakti, not known for any concern for rivers, has set up the National River Research Centre (NRRC) is welcome with usual caveats. The fact that NRRC has been set up under the Wildlife Institute of India (WII), a body under Union Environment Ministry is not necessarily as positive sign since MoEF too is not known for any concern for rivers. Moreover, setting up of NRRC through NMCG and NRCD also does not provide any hopeful sign for the same reason. WII, where the NRRC has been situated for now itself has had at best mixed track record as far as rivers are concerned.

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Urban Water Bodies

Bengaluru Lakes 2025: Buffer Zone Amended, Pollution Rising

February 10, 2026 SANDRP1 Comment

(Feature Image: Garbage and untreated sewage have reduced Ulsoor Lake, a major water body in Bengaluru, to a sewage pond. Source)

Bengaluru’s lakes, once central to the city’s water security and flood control have been under stress due to rapid urbanization, rising pollution and weak governance. The year 2025 has seen no major change in the scenario. This overview presents top ten reports from the yearlong developments affecting the water bodies including proposed amendments which could reduce lake buffer zones, prevalent encroachments, delay in restoration projects and deteriorating water quality in most of the lakes.

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Dams, Rivers & People

DRP 090226: NGT Critiques Shoddy CGWA report

February 9, 2026February 9, 2026 SANDRPLeave a comment

The criticisms of the National Green Tribunal (NGT) on January 30 about the report of the Central Ground Water Authority (CGWA), set up under the Environment Protection Act 1986 in late 1990s is rather mild and seems symbolic, but it has the potential of open up a pandora’s box since CGWA has essentially totally failed in doing anything effective about groundwater regulation in India.

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Dams, Rivers & People

DRP 020226: Karnataka High Court Monitored Probe into sand mining menace?

February 2, 2026February 2, 2026 SANDRPLeave a comment

An interesting sequence of events in Karnataka has led to the High Court Chief Justice taking up a suo moto case and suggesting a court monitored probe into the illegal sand mining menace in the state. One hopes this leads to a proper independent investigation, monitored by the High Court, culminating in ensuring community have the key role in monitoring and compliance of sand mining in their respective area, since that is the most important missing link in governance of sand mining.

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Dams, Rivers & People

DRP 291225: Looking back on 2025, Looking forward to 2026

December 29, 2025December 29, 2025 SANDRPLeave a comment

(Feature Image: Ramganga river at Marchula on Nov. 03, 2025. SANDRP)

As the year 2025 ends, reflecting on the DRP related developments over the year and even in this last DRP of 2025, one cannot but see largely pessimistic situation for India’s Rivers, Water Bodies, Hills and Mountains, Floodplains, and for the environment in general. As we saw during South West Monsoon 2025, the flood disasters have been so severe that the number of deaths in South Ais are the highest among all climate disasters of 2025 according to the just released Christian Aid report. The spread, intensity and frequency of the disasters are only going to increase, but we, including the government and the society seems to show little sincerity in dealing with this.

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