Question

Write short note.

Narmada Bachao Andolan

Answer 1

1. Narmada is the largest west-flowing river. The construction of the Sardar Sarovar Dam on the river would have benefited Maharashtra, Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh.
2. The need to mobilise and protest against such a venture was perceived when the building of a dam implied taking away the livelihood of local inhabitants and displacing them.
3. In 1985, the Narmada Bachao Andolan (NBA) emerged as one of the powerful resistance movements under the leadership of Medha Patkar.
4. It became an international movement and thousands of activists from India and abroad joined hands against the construction of this dam. 
5. In October 1994, Medha Patkar went on an indefinite dharna to pressurise the three state governments.
6. The movement suggested the use of alternative methods for generation of electricity and adequate rehabilitation of the displaced.
7. The NBA has brought issues of sustainable development to the forefront. It has questioned the validity of policy decisions about development and the utility of the same.