Free Courses Sale ends Soon, Get It Now


Koyna Dam

30th October, 2023

Disclaimer: Copyright infringement not intended.

Context

  • The Koyna dam authorities, owing to the poor storage in dams across Satara district, have proposed cuts in water discharge for both irrigation and power generation.

About Koyna Dam

  • The Koyna Dam is Maharashtra's largest dam.
  • The dam is located in the Satara District's Koyana Nagar.
  • It is located on the state route between Chiplun and Karad in the Western Ghats.
  • The Koyna Dam is a rubble-concrete dam constructed on the Koyna River, which originates in Mahabaleshwar, a high resort in the Sahyadri mountain ranges.
  • The construction of the Koyna dam began in 1951, and the first turbine began operation in 1962.
  • Stage V of the Koyna Hydroelectric Power Project is currently under construction.
  • The dam's main aim is to supply hydroelectricity as well as irrigation facilities in nearby communities.
  • The Koyna dam provides water to Paschim Maharashtra as well as hydroelectric power to the surrounding districts.
  • During the monsoon season, the dam is critical for flood management.
  • The catchment region traps the Koyna River, resulting in the 50-kilometer-long Shivsagar Lake.
  • Koyna Wildlife Sanctuary, which covers an area of approximately 423.55 km2, was designated in 1985.
  • The National Tiger Conservation Authority designated Koyna Wildlife Sanctuary and Chandoli National Park as part of the Sahyadri Tiger Reserve in 2007.
  • It is one of the major civil engineering projects undertaken in India after independence. The Maharashtra State Electricity Board manages the Koyna hydroelectric project.

The Key Facts about the Koyna River

  • The Koyna River is a tributary of the Krishna River that flows from Mahabaleshwar in the Satara district of Western Maharashtra.
  • Unlike most other rivers in Maharashtra, which flow east to west, the Koyna River runs north to south.
  • It has a total size of 2,036 km2 and is located in the Deccan topography of the district of Satara in the state of Maharashtra.
  • It typically depicts a physiographic configuration characterized by the Deccan plateau in the Western Ghats region, with elevations ranging from 550 to 1,460 m above mean sea level.
  • The Shivsagar reservoir is formed when the Koyna Dam at Koynanagar dams it.
  • The Koyna River is fed by four tributaries. Kera, Wang, Morna, and Mahind are their names. Kera, Wang, and Morna rivers are among those dammed.

PRACTICE QUESTION

Analyze the factors that contribute to the success or failure of such projects, and suggest measures for sustainable and responsible dam development. Highlight the role of public participation and environmental regulations in this context."(250 words)