The Narmada canal network, a lifeline stretching 75,000 km through Gujarat’s remotest regions, has long struggled with unaddressed leakage. For years, water has quietly seeped from the system, creating a 65 km trail of water that now cuts through the fragile Little Rann of Kutch (LRK). This unintended waterway—about 500 meters wide and one foot deep—has raised alarms about its impact on the region’s delicate ecosystem.
Now, the Sardar Sarovar Narmada Nigam Ltd is entrusted with the task of tracing the water leaks towards the LRK, according to a report by a national daily.
The Gujarat State Human Rights Commission has called for remedial action. Over the past eight months, a special committee, including experts and local officials, has been working to address the issue.
This special committee comprises SSNNL superintending engineer, Saurashtra branch canal (Limdi); officials from the irrigation, agriculture, forest and the wildlife departments; district representatives from Surendranagar, Mehsana, Patan, and Morbi, along with environmental activist Rohit Prajapati; and Neha Sarwate, an environmental planner from the MS University, Baroda, according to the report.
They’ve called for the repair of canals, construction of check dams, and the creation of artificial lakes to better manage the water. A pilot drone survey has already been conducted to help pinpoint the areas most affected.
However, farmers in Patadi and Dhrangadhra urgently need Narmada water for irrigation, but the unregulated seepage during the dry season is only exacerbating the problem.
The solution, experts agree, lies in a systemic approach—one that not only focuses on immediate repairs but also implements continuous monitoring of the canal’s endpoints to prevent further wastage. The work is already underway, with a focus on repairing existing check dams and creating new ones. But with the LRK’s ecosystem at risk, and the needs of farmers in mind, the task ahead is vast. Still, for the first time in years, there’s hope that Gujarat’s water lifeline will no longer be a silent contributor to environmental degradation.
Also Read: Shattered Lives Around Chandola Lake: How Displaced Families Are Left With Nothing https://www.vibesofindia.com/shattered-lives-around-chandola-lake-how-displaced-families-are-left-with-nothing/
