Rediscovering Narmada Valley (H.B)

Narmada, the fifth longest river of the Indian subcontinent, has been the lifeline of its Valley since time immemorial. The river winds its way through four states of Maharashtra, Gujarat, Rajasthan, and Madhya Pradesh. Post independence, government of India proposed to build several dam projects on the Narmada with the aim of providing drinking water, irrigation, and power for the increasing population. However, the Narmada has always remained a conflict Zone, be it for disputes between the states for water share, the raising of concerns by social activists and environmentalists for the ecological degradation caused by the projects, or the arresting issue of displacement and rehabilitation. Narmada Valley has been a subject of wider discussion at the national and international level. Rediscovering Narmada Valley is the authors dexterous presentation of the past and the present-day Narmada Valley in a comprehensive, systematic, and chronological manner. The author has judiciously displayed an unbiased account of the Inter-State disputes, the politics of Narmada water, and public opposition against Narmada Valley’s large dam projects.