Changing Landscape And Ecotourism Development in a Large Dam Site

INTRODUCTION
1.1 General:
Dam construction is a good idea with lots of advantages. On the other hand, we need
to look at the impacts on social, ecological, natural and cultural habitats. Anyways we
cannot avoid the construction keeping in mind the impacts the construction need to be
done. Till now lots of megaprojects are constructed. Only a few constructions have
made compensation to losses. We can carry out recreation in many ways by providing
compensation, by the relocation of people, by developing ecological balance, by
exploring new ideas to benefit the livelihood. Here we focus on along with the
compensation, relocation, culturing of flora and fauna "eco-tourism development" as
the major key of concern by changing landscape

1.2Changing Landscape
The landscape is the visible feature of an area of land, its landforms, and how they
integrate with natural or man-made features. The Growth of technology has increased
our ability to change a natural landscape. Many human activities increase the rate at
which natural processes, such as weathering and erosion, shape the landscape.
Landscapes change over time and the study of such changes has been a focus of
geographers. Megaprojects, however, may induce drastic changes in the local
landscape. Most of the hydroelectric projects in the world are introduced in
mountainous areas where large dam reservoirs impound enormous land that
encompasses natural and cultural habitats, infrastructure, biodiversity, and
architectural heritage. Moreover, with the loss of place, a whole way of life disappears.
Therefore, despite being offered compensation and resettlement opportunities, these
projects face fierce opposition from residents.

1.3Ecotourism Development
Ecotourism is a form of tourism involving responsible travel to natural areas,
conserving the environment and improving the well-being of the local people.
Ecotourism development can be achieved by improving tourism activities thereby
improving the livelihood of the residents. Ecotourism is a sub-component of the field
of sustainable tourism. Ecotourism's perceived tool for sustainable development is the

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 Changing Landscape And Ecotourism Development in a Large Dam Site
main reason why developing countries are embracing it in their economic development
and conservation strategies. It focuses primarily on experiencing and learning about
nature, its landscape, flora, fauna and their habitats, as well as cultural artifacts from
the locality.

A symbiotic and complex relationship between the environment and tourist activities is
possible when this philosophy can be translated into appropriate policy, careful
planning and tactful practicum. Carefully planned and operated ecotourism sites,
especially if it is village-based and includes local participation, can provide direct
benefits that might offset pressure from other less sustainable activities that make use
of natural and cultural resources.

1.4Advantages of Construction of Dams

1) Hydropower and irrigation are the greatest output after construction of a dam
as both benefit lot of population this is one of the main purposes to construct
the dam.
2) Hydropower is a clean, renewable low-cost alternative. Hydroelectricity is
responsible for 19% of the world's energy supply offering over 3000 terawatts
each year.
3) Dams help us to retain our water supply when there is a dam for river water
will pool to form a reservoir behind the structure. This outcome allows the
population in that region to collect freshwater during periods of heavy
precipitation
4) This technology provides us with critical recreational opportunities. Dams can
provide us with a wide range of economic, environmental, and social benefits.
These destinations can be the perfect place to have a picnic, go hiking, and
spend time with your family.
5) Supports various kind of aesthetic and recreation activities.
6) A well-constructed dam provides several flood control benefits and irrigates
croplands that may not receive enough moisture. Tens of thousands of jobs are
directly tied to crop production and other agricultural activities that happen
because of this benefit. Our food distribution networks remain active and
consistent because of this advantage, and it allows us to do more with our
growing efforts than if we relied on seasonal precipitation patterns alone.

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 Changing Landscape And Ecotourism Development in a Large Dam Site
7) A dam can provide a stable system of navigation. We can use dams on rivers to
provide a stable system of inland water transportation. Installing a system of
locks with this technology creates a safe place for us to transport goods and a
variety of additional benefits.
8) In some situations, dams can even provide enhanced environmental protection.
This technology has the capability of delivering hazardous materials retention
or reducing the influence of sedimentation on vulnerable rivers.
9) Reservoirs can serve as a source of drinking water. Because the water stored
behind a dam in a reservoir is fresh, we can use it as a source of drinking water
for nearby towns and cities. It is not unusual for communities to obtain their
entire supply for streams or rivers that are close. We can use large canals,
pipes, and other methods of transportation to ensure that every home has access
to safe and clean drinking water.

1.5Impacts of Construction of Dam

1) Social impact: Dams can displace a significant number of people and also
damages lots of livelihoods attached to an area. An estimated 500 million
people have been displaced by dams in the last two centuries because of the
reservoirs that form behind each structure. as the surrounding dry areas get
flooded, we no longer have the option to use land that was previously
accessible for a variety of purposes. That means local agricultural activities go
through a disruption process, even though the eventual increase in available
water supports more irrigation.
2) Environmental impact: This technology disrupts local ecosystems and
wildlife habitats that exist. Not only does this disrupt human activities, but it
also destroys the existing wildlife habits that exist. This issue can disrupt entire
ecosystems, which can harm a whole regional biome. Marine life that relies on
an unobstructed flow of a river, such as migratory fish can be adversely
affected by the decision to dam the water.
3) Geological impact: Dams can have an adverse impact on the groundwater
table. When riverbeds experience deepening, this problem creates a lower
groundwater table along the river. That means it is more challenging for plant
roots to reach what is required for survival. Homeowners in the vicinity must
also dig deeper water for their households. This issue can even change the

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 Changing Landscape And Ecotourism Development in a Large Dam Site
mineral content and found in the fluid, creating damage to soil structures along
the way.
4) Financial impact: The construction of a dam is a costly investment. A large
dam is defined as a structure that is higher than 15 meters. This definition
means there are 57,000 structures around the world. Major dams are over 150m
tall, and there are over 300 of these. China has the most, with over 23,000
operational facilities. The cost of a large dam today can be over $20 billion,
and it may take between 7 to 10 years to complete its construction. Those are
resources that many communities could put to better use.
5) Dams can block water progression to different states, provinces, and
countries: When a dam gets built at or near a border between two states,
provinces, or countries, then it might also block the progress of water in one of
those areas. That means the supply from the same river in the neighboring
country is no longer under their direct control. This disadvantage can result in
severe issues between neighbors, creating a constant source of conflict that can
sometimes even lead to war.
6) Reservoirs can be challenging to maintain: when drought is a significant
issue for a community, then a reservoir that's behind a dam can be a vital
resource. Maintaining this new body of water comes with a set of its challenges
because evaporation can happen during dry times and result in an increase in
environmental problems. There also tends to be a significant buildup of organic
matter in the sediment with this disadvantage, resulting in potentially
carcinogenic trihalomethanes when the water gets chlorinated for drinking
purposes.

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 Changing Landscape And Ecotourism Development in a Large Dam Site

CASE STUDY

2.1 Tehri Dam

Figure 1. Tehri dam location and interview sites

The Tehri Dam is the tallest dam in India. It is a multi-purpose rock and earth-
fill embankment dam on the Bhagirathi River near Tehri in Uttarakhand, India. It is the
primary dam of the THDC India Ltd. and the Tehri hydroelectric complex. Phase 1
was completed in 2006.

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 Changing Landscape And Ecotourism Development in a Large Dam Site
The Dam withholds a reservoir for irrigation, municipal water supply and the
generation of 1,000 megawatts (1,300,000 hp) of hydroelectricity. The dam's
1,000 MW variable-speed pumped-storage scheme is currently under construction with
expected commissioning in 2022. A preliminary investigation for the Tehri Dam
Project was completed in 1961 and its design was completed in 1972 with a 600 MW
capacity power plant based on the study. Construction began in 1978 after feasibility
studies but was delayed due to financial, environmental and social impacts.

In 1986, technical and financial assistance was provided by the USSR, but this was
interrupted years later with political instability. India was forced to take control of the
project and at the first, it was placed under the direction of the Irrigation Department
of Uttar Pradesh. However, in 1988 the Tehri Hydro Development Corporation was
formed to manage the dam and 75% of the funding would be provided by the federal
government, 25% by the state. Uttar Pradesh would finance the entire irrigation
portion of the project.

Tehri Dam is a 260.5 m (855 ft) high rock and earth-fill embankment dam. Its length is
575 m (1,886 ft), crest width 20 m (66 ft), and base width 1,128 m (3,701 ft). The dam
creates a reservoir of 4.0 cubic kilometers (3,200,000 acre-ft) with a surface area of
52 km2 (20 sq mi). The installed hydro capacity is 1,000 MW along with an additional
1,000 MW of pumped-storage hydroelectricity. The lower reservoir for the pumped-
storage plant is created by the Koteshwar Dam.

The Tehri Dam and the Tehri Pumped Storage Hydroelectric Power Plant are part of
the Tehri Hydropower Complex which also includes the 400 MW Koteshwar Dam.
Tehri pumped storage plant (4 X 250 MW) has variable speed features which can
optimize the round trip efficiency under varying water levels in its reservoirs. Power is
distributed to Utthara Pradesh, Uttharakhand, Haryana, Rajasthan, Punjab, Delhi,
Jammu and Kashmir, Chandigarh, Rajasthan and Himachal Pradesh. The complex will
afford irrigation to an area of 270,000 hectares (670,000 acres), irrigation stabilization
to an area of 600,000 hectares (1,500,000 acres), and a supply of 270 million imperial
gallons (1.2×106 m3) of drinking water per day to the industrialized areas
of Delhi, Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand. The total expenditure of this project was
USD 1 billion.

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 Changing Landscape And Ecotourism Development in a Large Dam Site

Figure 2. Tehri hydroelectric plant Figure 3. Old Tehri dam

Figure 4. New Tehri dam

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 Changing Landscape And Ecotourism Development in a Large Dam Site

2.2 Tehri Dam Characteristics

Type of dam Embankment, earth and rock-fill
Impounds Bhagirathi River
Height 260.5 m (855 ft)
Length 575 m (1,886 ft)
Width (crest) 20 m (66 ft)
Width (base) 1,128 m (3,701 ft)
Spillways 2
Spillway type Gate controlled
Spillway capacity 15,540 m3/s (549,000 cu ft/s)
RESERVOIR
Total capacity 4.0 km3 (3,200,000 acre⋅ft)
Surface area 52) km2 (20 sq mi)

2.3 Tehri Dam Benefits

 Final installed capacity 2000 MW and additional irrigation of 270000 hectares.
 Increase in tourism sector, fish irrigation projects and other Govt. projects in
Uttarakhand.
 270 million gallons of drinking water to Uttaranchal, Uttar Pradesh and Delhi.
 All-round development of the region through better infrastructure and easy
availability of electricity and development of pisciculture.
 To develop greater awareness and understanding of the significant
contributions that adventure tourism can provide to the environment and the
economy.
 Rs 2400 crores profit to the central government every year.
 To maintain the quality of the environment on which the foregoing objectives
depend.
 Less flooding in low-lying areas of Uttara Pradesh, West Bengal and Bihar.

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 Changing Landscape And Ecotourism Development in a Large Dam Site

2.4 Tehri Dam Impacts

 Change in the water chemistry, especially for dissolved oxygen and turbidity of
water.
 Impact on the biodiversity i.e flora and fauna of the area.
 Obstruction of movements of migrating fish species during the breeding
season.
 Reduction in the capacity life of reservoirs was studied.

2.5 Environmental Issues

 The protest was against the displacement of town inhabitants and the
environmental consequence of the weak ecosystems.
 In addition to the human rights concerns, the project has spurred concerns
about the environmental consequences of locating such a large dam in the
fragile ecosystem of the Himalayan foothills.
 There are further concerns regarding the dam's geological stability.
 The Tehri dam is located in the central Himalayan seismic gap, a major
geological fault zone. This region was the site of a 6.8 magnitude earthquake in
October 1991, with an epicenter 53 kilometer’s(33mi) from the location of the
dam.
 Dam proponents claim that the complex is designed to withstand an earthquake
of 8.4 magnitudes, but some seismologists say that earthquakes with a
magnitude of 8.5 or more could occur in this region. Were such a catastrophe
to occur, the potentially resulting dam break would submerge numerous towns
downstream, whose populations total near half a million.
 The relocation of more than 1,00,000 people from the area has led to protracted
legal battles over resettlement rights and ultimately resulted in the project's
delayed completion.

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 Changing Landscape And Ecotourism Development in a Large Dam Site

2.6 Measures Taken To Ecotourism Development

1) Construction of lake: As a measure of tourism “TEHRI LAKE” Asia’s
largest manmade lake, which is 260 meters deep. The lake has tremendous
potential to become a national hub for eco-tourism and adventure tourism
including water sports activities.
2) Flora and Fauna: Botanical garden (14.28ha) to preserve important flora and
Mahseer fish hatchery and fish farm.
3) Command area development: To mitigate waterlogging and sanity and the
network of field and drains were developed.
4) Compensatory Afforestation: afforestation in an area of 4586.07ha. In
Lalitpur and Jhansi district.
5) Catchment area treatment: To reduce soil erosion 52.204ha of land was
treated.
6) Water quality maintenance: No adverse effect on the water quality and 5
monitoring stations upstream and downstream.

Figure 5. Newly developed lake tourism activities

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 Changing Landscape And Ecotourism Development in a Large Dam Site

Figure 6. Newly developed lake tourism activities

2.7 Model of Evolution

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 Changing Landscape And Ecotourism Development in a Large Dam Site

RESULTS OF ECOTOURISM DEVELOPMENT

I. Changes in the physical landscape of the region:

Physical landscape as explored here comprises visual landscape and climate.
Significant changes that came forth from interviews were in settlement pattern,
transport and connectivity, surface concretization and lack of conveniently accessible
facilities.

II. Visual landscape and settlement morphology:

From the interviewees’ reflections on Old Tehri, it emerged to be a densely populated
valley town located near the confluence of the Bhagirathi and Bhilangana rivers. It
played the role of a central place for nearby villages located on hills and was also
situated on the Char Dham Yatra route. Residents cited change from a compact
settlement with a single market to a new planned township where the morphology of
settlements restricted the accessibility of facilities as noted by an elderly male. Ex.
There was a single straight market in Old Tehri, while in New Tehri market has got
divided into three or four parts like one in Bauradi, then in B. Puram, in Koti, in New
Tehri; without vehicle any person is limp. All important government departments,
State Bank, treasury, Sub-Divisional Magistrate Court, District Magistrate Court were
in one place.

III. Transport and connectivity:

Connectivity, of across the lake villages changed dramatically as highlighted by a
resident of Pratap Nagar, “Earlier we used to travel between Tehri and Pratap Nagar on
our feet and now we have to spend 200 rupees and a whole day.” He has noted that
about Mawa dam that disruption of existing roads and bridges negatively impacts
connectivity, despite a general betterment of roads. Interviewees admitted that new
developmental activities, roads, and spacious housing were a commendable
achievement, but were distressed by how translocation from valley to a hill-top town
reduced the connectivity of New Tehri making it nearly isolated on the terrain.

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 Changing Landscape And Ecotourism Development in a Large Dam Site
IV. Climate:
The majority of respondents found New Tehri’s climate to be a positive change, "no
climate is good here as compared to old Tehri. It was very hot in Old Tehri." The
elderly and female population's (responsible for household chores) experiences of cold
winter weather contradicted with this, observing, “here it is good for summers but very
cool for winters”.

V. Surface concretization and loss of natural resource base:

Lack of natural touch owing to the different natural environment and excessive human
interference at the new town was noted by respondents. Surface concretization of New
Tehri (to make it safe for human habitation) was conspicuous in remarks of two
residents, “here are only concrete structures in New Tehri and no trees" and "they have
given lots of masonry patching walls. in fact, whole Tehri is stable due to them."
Interviewees acknowledged the regular supply of drinking water and electricity in the
new city, however, stressed the comparative lack of natural water sources.

VI. Changes in the economic landscape:

On the economic landscape, noteworthy changes that surfaced were in the structure of
the local economy, economic disparities, and livelihood opportunities.

VII. New livelihood opportunities:

Loss of traditional livelihood sources and initial set back to businesses in the new town
were juxtaposed by the provision of new job opportunities in a dam and allied
industries. Residents reported the creation of temporary and permanent jobs due to the
dam. They admitted availing job preference in THDC and support for buying water
sports boats. Hotel-owner remarks, "people have worked here in Thapar and JP
companies for 20 years.

The companies coming for Tehri dam and Kota dam have given employment to local
people. Be it apparent or unapparent, people have benefited from Tehri Dam.” Some
argued that new livelihood opportunities can be generated by the very project that has
displaced people. Tour and travels agent at New Tehri informed that initially the travel
businesses came to standstill after shifting to New Tehri, but revived after coming up
with hydro-engineering college and water sports. Another probable livelihood
opportunity for displaced people is the reservoir-based fisheries. Local people

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 Changing Landscape And Ecotourism Development in a Large Dam Site
displaced by Bargi Dam (on Narmada River) got the fishing rights after a long struggle
and the provision came as a big financial relief.

VIII. Changes in the social landscape:

Involuntary displacement is an upsetting experience at the start as it uproots people
from places of their physical and emotional attachment and disrupts existing
livelihoods and resource base. Most development-induced resettlement policies focus
on monetary compensation and housing provision with a little emphasis on social
costs. Involuntary re-settlers may be at risk of highly neglected but difficult to tackle
“psycho-socio-cultural impact”. Relocation to a new town and differential monetary
gains led to decreased social cohesion, the emergence of service culture and status
boundaries, behavioral changes, loss of shared cultural heritage, and a sense of
belonging to lost places.

IX. Growth of tourism:

The project manager at the site near Koti Colony asserted that tourism infrastructure
grew gradually and they had now amassed eco-lodges (hotels or vacation spots) for
lake view and floating eco-lodges, floating boat restaurant, barge boat, sewage
treatment plant, sports adventure training center and hostels as a crucial infrastructure.
But all this is yet to be made operational. Once operational this would lead to training
in water sports, carrying buses and other vehicles across the lake, and provide facilities
for stay and enjoyment of tourists. The people working in small businesses around
tourist spots informed that in peak season the spot registers 800–1000 tourists per day
on weekends (May to July). A hotelier in New Tehri claimed, "I have been in the
region for three years and every year the volume of tourists increases. This increase is
solely owing to adventure sports activities in the lake.

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 Changing Landscape And Ecotourism Development in a Large Dam Site

SUMMARY

1) In summary, ecotourism can be seen as one way by which communities can resume
or strengthen traditional stewardship roles in natural areas, a role that has largely
been compromised by unfavorable economic conditions imposed upon rural
communities in tropical countries.
2) Recognizing the crucial role rural and coastal communities play in conserving
biodiversity they must be incorporated as stakeholders into protected area planning
and management processes. At the same time, given the added value that
community participation brings to ecotourism products and the benefits of
participation for sustainable community development, active community
participation in ecotourism is good for business and good for conservation.
3) Tehri dam project a prestigious hydropower cum irrigation project is the first major
attempt to harness the vast hydro potential of the Bhagirath river which is fed by
Gangotri Glacier.
4) The storage project in the Bhagirathi valley in Uttharakhand, Himalaya envisages
impounding surplus monsoon water of the river for utilizing it in a regulated
manner for hydropower generation and irrigation.
5) The Tehri dam has served almost all the purposes for which it has been built.
6) Dams like this need to be constructed more as it serves various purposes and
requirements.
7) Still, more focus to be given to the livelihood lost and more tourist activities should
be explored as it can result in overall development.

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