Gujarat Minister defends Narmada dam in Sweden

Sardar Sarovar Narmada Nigam Ltd chairman Bhupendrasinh Chudasama also attended the meet, co-sponsored by the University of Kalmar, Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm, Stockholm International Water Institute and third world centre for water management.

The Booker Prize-winning author Arundhati Roy, who was a member of the jury at Cannes this year, had sought international pressure against building the big dam, which she said would lead to socio-economic and environmental disaster.

Hydrologists, UN office-bearers and educationists from more than 30 countries, including Denmark, Israel, Somalia, Brazil, Argentina, Turkey, China and Australia, took part in the recently-held workshop.

During his speech, Vyas highlighted the regional socio-economic disparities within Gujarat and alarming trends of migration due to water scarcity.

Answering the criticism of Narmada Bachao Andolan activists on alleged displacement of tribals, he said adequate housing, education and health services are being extended to them, in addition to sustainable income generating packages.

A large number of tribal families have welcomed the development opportunities offered to them in the rehabilitation package of the Sardar Sarovar project, he claimed.

The Minister also sought to allay the fears on environmental destruction saying extensive environmental protection measures are being taken in catchment areas.

Chudasama said rainfall in the region was erratic and unevenly distributed. Pointing out that three to four years in a cycle of ten years are drought years, he said the extreme water scarcity in western India could only be solved by inter-basin transfer of water by the Sardar Sarovar project to water scarce areas.

The chairman of the third world water management centre, who summed up the discussions, praised the Gujarat Government for presenting the facts about Sardar Sarovar before an international forum after the Second World Water Forum held at The Hague recently.