While governments claim that dams provide clean, efficient and reliable form of energy, dams also cause flooding of large tracts of land, destroying local animals and their habitats, displacement of people in large scale and destruction of plant life. Environmentalists say that dams are lethal water bombs! The Narmada Bachao Andolan (NBA) is a social movement consisting of adivasis, farmers, environmentalists and human rights activists against a number of large dams being built across the Narmada River, which flows through the states of Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra.
The Sardar Sarovar Dam in Gujarat is one of the biggest dams on the river and was one of the first focal points of the movement. It is one of the many dams under the Narmada Dam Project. The main aim of the project is to provide irrigation and electricity to people in these states. However, these dams would displace people and destroy animal and plant diversity on a large scale.
Prominent leaders in the movement are Medha Patkar and Baba Amte. Although the campaign could not become completely successful, it was able to raise awareness among the public about the dangers of dams.
Picture Credit : Google