The direct impacts of delta subsidence and effective seas level rise abetted by dams include inundation of coastal areas, saltwater intrusion into coastal aquifers, increased rates of coastal erosion, an increased exposure to storm surges, etc, in addition to the threat to food security, livelihood security, water security to millions and huge l

The CAG issued a press release on Aug 31, 2012 for its “Performance Audit Report No. 10 of 2012-13 of hydropower projects for the 11th 5-year plan ending on March 31, 2012. This CAG audit is an extremely weak and inadequate work of the CAG. In fact it does not really audit the performance of hydropower projects at all.

Unfortunately, Indian rivers have been viewed at as only providers of water and receivers of waste water and effluents. The ecosystemic links between upstream, mid stream, floodplains and riparian areas have not been the focus of any river improvement schemes or developmental projects.