1. Catchment Area Treatment

For SSP in Phase-I (directly draining sub-watersheds) a total of 143017 ha. area is treated against a total targeted area of 179180 ha. up to June, 2001.

An area of 13386 ha. of forest land was diverted by MOEF against the submergence. Party States have prepared the plans for plantation of 42155 ha. and against this, the progress up to June, 2001 is 42064 ha. The Compensatory Afforestation works also required  4200 ha. of forest land which was diverted for R&R work of PAFs . The progress achieved so far is 4198 ha. The map depicts the compensatory afforestation works.

The command area of the Project is fixed, based on the areas included by NWDT for irrigation in Gujarat. The gross command area is 3.43 million ha. The culturable command area is 2.12 ha. To safeguard development of irrigation in the vast command, mitigating measures have been determined requiring control and monitoring in the following areas.

• Drainage water logging and soil salinity
• Water quality
• Potential impacts on Flora and Fauna
• Effects on public health
• Socio economic aspects

A large number of studies have been carried out for assessment of the environmental impacts emanating from the submergence of the land by the SSP by  premier institutes, and, Action Plans have been developed by the Govt. of Gujarat based on recommendations of these study groups. Similar plans by the States of M.P. and Maharashtra are under formulation. However, corrective steps in form of increased carrying capacity of the degraded catchment through massive afforestation are already on the verge of completion. Gujarat have developed a sanctuary known as Shoolpaneshwar sanctuary to accommodate the wildlife moving out from the submergence area.

Steps have already been taken in designing of the project as per the recommendations of the dam safety panel and seismic designs have already been implemented. For monitoring reservoir induced seismicity, nine seismological monitoring stations have been established around the periphery of the reservoir.

6. Health

Baseline data on health have been generated through series of studies and epidemiological studies and impact assessment studies have been carried out by the State Health Departments, premier institutes like Topiwala National College, Mumbai, Gandhi Medical College, Bhopal in association with State Health Departments and plans have been drawn up with Action Plans prepared. These Action Plans are under implementation. A map showing the proposed health facilities around the periphery of the reservoir is given p below.

7. Archaeology

Detailed inventories and surveys have been carried out by the Archaeological Survey of India, Anthropological Survey of India, State Department of Archaeology & Museum, M.P., Maharashtra and Gujarat to ascertain the archaeological and anthropological remains in the valley.

Plans have been drawn up for the protection of identified monuments and these are under implementation.

Studies have been conducted by the premier institutes like Central Inland Capture Fisheries Research Institute and the Universities engaged in limnological research, Barkatulla University, Bhopal, Rani Durgawati University, Jabalpur, Vikram University, Ujjain in association with State Fisheries Developments to generate baseline data for conservation of aquatic eco-system, plans have already been drawn up for implementation.

Indira Sagar Project

1. Catchment Area Treatment
(Directly Draining)

Status as on March, 2001

Total Target   62975
Progress       51810

2. Compensatory Afforestation

Detailed studies were entrusted to the Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun in December 1989 and were completed by March 1994. The final study report is submitted.
Besides this, the Friends of Nature's Society, Bhopal, has completed the preparation of Wildlife Retrieval and Conservation Plan.
Actions have been taken by NVDA to implement the recommendation of the WLI regarding declaration of National Park & protected areas. Matter is under consideration by the State Govt.

5. Fisheries Development

The studies of certain aspects of fisheries have been included in the Limnological studies which is being conducted by  three Universities of the State. Studies in the Upper Narmada, (Bargi Reservoir) is being conducted by Rani Durgawati University, Jabalpur, studies in the Middle Narmada (Tawa, Barna and Kolar Reservoirs) by Barkatullah University, Bhopal, studies in the Lower Narmada by Vikram University, Ujjain. All the three Universities have completed the studies in their respective areas as per MOU and final report is available. Accordingly Action Plan has also been drawn up & is presently under scrutiny of NCA.

Aquatic fauna has also been covered under the studies completed by Friends of Nature Society, Bhopal. The draft report of FONS is also available. Action plan submitted earlier is being updated.

6. Seimicity and Rim Stability

The reservoir competency survey has been done by GSI and report is submitted. In the report, GSI suggested further studies for some patches of narrow water divide. However environment sub-group decided not to have further studies as experts were of the opinion that there was no water loss between Mandla and Rajghat.

7. Health Aspect

A note on health aspects of ISP prepared by NVDA was examined in the Ministry of E&F and comments were sent for modifying the report. NVDA has submitted the revised plan costing Rs.748.73 lacs for the preventive and curative aspects of health. Regarding preventive aspects, a MOU has been signed with the Department of Preventive and Social Medicine, Gandhi Medical College, Bhopal. Five half-yearly reports were received. For studies on health aspect in project impact areas of SSP and ISP, work is proposed through a cell of monitoring and evaluation under the Directorate of Health Services, Bhopal. The approved plan is being implemented.

8. Archaeological and Anthropological Survey Archaeology

A survey of the 254 villages is required for the identification of  archaeological monuments falling within the submergence area. The State Department of Archaeology and Museum, Bhopal was entrusted with the survey of these villages which has been completed. The state Department have already submitted an action plan for relocation of monuments of Archaeological significance. This plan is being implemented.

Archaeological Survey of India has also completed  survey of 167 villages for centrally protected monuments and for identification of  monuments which may be of significance. Implementation of the action plan is already initiated.

Only lower bastion in north of the Joga Fort is likely to be affected by scour action of water and action is being taken by the concerned agencies to ensure safety of monuments.

Excavation of the early historic mound in village Khedinama in Hoshangabad district is completed and report is available in NCA. Ancient tools & artifacts have been found. Recently, State Department has reviewed the action plan and has proposed shifting of 10 monuments and 5 excavation of sites in addition to the earlier proposal of collection of sculptures & excavation at Khedinama

Efforts are being made for the retrieval of bio-cultural material from  Narmada Basin. A lot of information has been gathered from the field which generated immense data of Socio-Anthropological significance.

Rashtriya Manav Sanghralaya has constituted a working group for the retrieval of bio-cultural material in Narmada Basin. Survey of tribal art and handicraft entrusted to M.P. Adivasi Kala Parishad is completed and report is available. Besides Anthropological Survey of India has covered these studies under its own project called "People of India", A Narmada Salvage plan was also launched by the Anthropological Survey of India recently and the entire area was  scanned and some ancient tools have been found.