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Vulnerability to the Ganges Water Diversion: Adaptation and Coping Mechanisms

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The Ganges Water Diversion: Environmental Effects and Implications

Part of the book series: Water Science and Technology Library ((WSTL,volume 49))

Abstract

Diversion of water from the Ganges River through major engineering structures has caused significant environmental effects in the downstream and upstream parts of the basin. In Bangladesh, major impacts are observed in: water supply, river morphology and regulation, navigation, salinity, forestry and ecosystems, agriculture and land degradation and fishery. However, areas (upstream and downstream) adjacent to the Farakka Barrage are also impacted by the increased flood hazards, reduction in fisheries and erosion. Water diversion through the Farakka Feeder Canal to the Bhagirathi-Hooghly River (Figure 12.1) positively benefited Kolkata Port by increasing draft for vessels. Water supply to the Kolkata City has also improved. Table 12.1 summarizes the impacts of diversion on various sectors in the upstream and downstream areas of the Ganges River.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Adaptation and Impacts Research Group (AIRG), Institute for Environmental Studies (IES), University of Toronto, 33 Willcocks Street, Toronto, ON, M5S 3E8, Canada

    M. Monirul Qader Mirza

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  1. M. Monirul Qader Mirza
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  1. Adaptation and Impacts Research Group (AIRG), Environment Canada, c/o Institute for Environmental Studies (IES), University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada

    M. Monirul Qader Mirza

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Mirza, M.M.Q. (2004). Vulnerability to the Ganges Water Diversion: Adaptation and Coping Mechanisms. In: Mirza, M.M.Q. (eds) The Ganges Water Diversion: Environmental Effects and Implications. Water Science and Technology Library, vol 49. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4020-2792-5_12

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4020-2792-5_12

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht

  • Print ISBN: 978-90-481-6665-7

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4020-2792-5

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