The Environmental Impact of Dams

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Building of dams often leads to environmental problems. Local communities are forced to move to make way for a reservoir. The resettlement of these people causes social problems, especially in countries where land is scarce. The flooding of large areas means a loss of habitat for endangered species. Large reservoirs in tropical regions serve as breeding grounds for parasites and insects, leading to an increase in waterborne diseases. Dams also have a damaging effect on the river basin below. They prevent nutrient-rich river silt from fertilizing wetlands downriver. This leads to an increase in the use of chemical fertilizers by farmers. A reduction in silt deposits carried to the sea can cause increased coastal erosion around the river estuary. In most cases the dams are not managed properly. In the dry season when it is most required, no water is released to avoid over drying of the reservoir. In the rainy seasons, the dams release the stored water without caring about the flood due to the fear of excess hydraulic pressure causing damage to the dam. Dams have been shown to have long-term harmful effects on fish and other river life. Pesticides used to destroy the aquatic weeds that often invade reservoirs affect fish populations. Plants and soil underwater in a reservoir soon rot, reducing the amount of nutrient in the water, and eventually leading to a reduction in fish stocks. Some scientists believe that the huge weight of the water behind dams may trigger earthquakes. Smaller dams cause less ecological damage but governments and investors are often attracted by large-scale dam-building projects. The over enthusiasm and corruption in these projects, result in ill placed and weak dams. The failure of such dams has caused a number of floods leading to destruction of life and property. Let us take up a few examples so as to determine the extent of havoc

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