Agreements & MOUs - The Ganga: Water Use in the Indian Subcontinent - page 164

Fig. 10.5 Salinity level of Hooghly water at Palta
following decrease in water-level. The Super Thermal Plant near Farakka had to be
partly shut down, every year, in March and April.
The 1977 Agreement also adversely affected the environment and ecology of
the entire region. Aquatic life, commerce and transport, day and night temperature,
humidity and water supply to industries etc. were all affected. Thus, the adverse
effects are summarized as under:-
i) Agriculture activities hampered owing to reduced discharge and intrusion of
saline water.
ii) Drinking and industrial water supply affected owing to increased salinity.
iii) Navigation hampered and trade and commerce affected owing to reduction in
water level.
iv) Quantum of dredging increased substantially in the lower reach owing to
siltation in the riverbed.