IMPACTS OF WATER RESOURCE PROJECTS ON RURAL LIVELIHOODS IN THE BUNDELKHAND REGION

Sunandu Sudhakaran

Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Roorkee, India

Abstract

Bundelkhand is the name of cultural- geographic region in central India which is bounded by Vindhyan Ranges in the south, Yamuna River in the north, Ken River in the east and the rivers Betwa and Pahuj in the west. Once well known for its rich historical and cultural heritage, this region has now reduced to the status of backward areas staggering for the single drop of water. Most of the natural resources of this region have been depleted due to the erratic and indiscriminate behavior of the monsoon coupled with degraded and infertile land. Low Income level of the inhabitants portray the reality of the abject poverty of this ill fated region. It has been in the news for its drought conditions that have plagued it. This region has lost its past legendary glory, as it is crippled with the mass migration, starvation deaths and farmer’s suicides and even the “mortgaging” of the women over the years. The state government and the central government have initiated plethora of water resource projects and schemes to improve the aching and distressful physical and socio economic condition of this region focusing their livelihoods. This paper makes an attempt to examine the potential impacts of the water resource projects on the rural livelihoods of this region.

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