The National River Linking Project (NRLP) was proposed as the solution to water-related problems in India. It envisages transferring the waters of the water surplus basins to the water deficient basins in the south and the west. Today, India coping with annual floods and droughts, both occurring at the same time in different regions, has been a major concern for India. These concerns are more acute today as the growing population and the resultant increase in water demand place a heavy burden on the unevenly distributed water resources, and also cause huge economic losses to the financially vulnerable groups of the population. This ambitious project was initiated at a time when there was strong opposition to large dams. Environmentalists questioned the ecological cost of large dams, while NGOs and civil society probed the social cost of people displacement. Interlinking of Rivers in India provides an essential guide to researchers, it offers various aspects of the present scenario for the National River Linking Project and brings together diverse viewpoints from opponents and state agencies and regulators.
Dr. Hemant Pathak held positions as Assistant Professor in the department of chemistry, Govt. Indira Gandhi Engineering College, Sagar, MP, India. He had extensive experience in teaching, research and administrative management. Dr. Pathak received his Ph.D. degree in chemistry from Dr. Hari Singh Gour Central University, Sagar, India and M.Sc. Gold medalist from Jiwaji University, Gwalior. He has published 23 books and more than 50 research papers in reputed International and National journals and received several awards. He is a member of editorial boards and reviewer boards of several international journals and societies. His area of specialization includes engineering chemistry, energy audits and environmental pollution management.