Storage Dams for Sustainable Development “Need for Storage Dams for Future Water Security” with Reference to Development of Proposed Water Resources Projects in Indravati Sub Basin

Water resources engineers and planners have realized the importance of integrated water resources planning, development and its management at basin and state levels in order to optimize the use of renewable water resources potential available for sustainable development. In the Indian subcontinent the maximum concentrated runoff is available during the month of June-September. Indian summer monsoon contributes about 80% of the annual precipitation during June-September and remaining 20% during October-May. This rainfall pattern is mostly erratic and unevenly distributed in different parts of the country. Sometimes, non monsoon rains also defers and create acute water scarcity in many parts of India resulting crop failure and also fail to support the increasing water requirement. The suitable sites for construction of Dams and Reservoirs are gift of nature and can not be created. Indravati sub basin in the state of chhattisgarh and Maharashtra offers excellent suitable sites for creation of reservoirs supported by abundant water availability. Indravati sub basin is a part of the Godavari Basin. The Godavari Basin is the 2nd largest river basin in India after Ganga basin and it accounts for approximately 10% of the geographical area of the country. The Godavari Water dispute Tribunal Award allocated utilization of Water available in Godavari basin between the beneficiary states. nearly 4 decades have been passed, since the Godavari Water dispute Tribunal Award (GWdTA) came in force in the year 1980. In the present paper authors have highlighted the importance of the construction of Storage Dams across proposed suitable sites in Indravati Sub-Basin to ensure future water security and consequently play a key role in poverty elimination.