Environmental Administration of Dams in the Idukki District: An Analysis

Abstract

Environmental administration can be defined as the process of directing and managing public policies and activities in the area of environmental affairs. (UNEP, 1984).  Obligation to the future generations from the governmental and private players lay on the advancement of small-scale hydroelectric plants. The development of hydroelectric projects is amenable with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) seven. The dams and water stored in dams have become a matter of dispute between the different states. The water, food, energy of a particular area can be satisfied with establishment of new multi-purpose power plants which will lead to irrigation of crops, drinking water for consumption by the population, energy generation as well as employment for many people in the form of dam administration staffs as well as the economics of tourism involved. Ongoing debate on the feasibility studies on dam from the views on harms it can cause to environment and social development it can bring out needs an extensive study based on the available data on dams from a historical perspective. The need for emphasizing environmental impacts and economic virtues of a dam from a sustainable point of view are a need. The present paper intends to portray the need for environmental administration based dam protection and the major effects of dam in the Idukki region. The paper further elaborates on the need for interventions to solve the disputes related to water resources actively by stakeholders.