Narmada Bachao Andolan is one of the most well-known social movements in India. It began in 1985 when local tribals, farmers, environmentalists, and human rights activists joined hands to protest against the construction of large dams on the Narmada River.

The government planned several dam projects, including the Sardar Sarovar Dam, to provide water, electricity, and irrigation. However, the projects would submerge thousands of villages, displacing over 2.5 lakh people and destroying forests, farmland, and wildlife. This led to the birth of the movement, which focused on protecting people’s rights, biodiversity, and natural resources.

What is the purpose of Narmada Bachao Andolan?

Narmada Bachao Andolan is to protect the rights of people affected by dam projects while ensuring environmental conservation. The movement raised awareness about the social and ecological consequences of large-scale development projects.

Main Objectives

• To secure proper rehabilitation and fair compensation for displaced families
• To safeguard forests, wildlife, and agricultural land from destruction
• To encourage sustainable development models
• To stop unplanned construction that harms local communities
• To make government and international agencies accountable for environmental impacts

The activists strongly believed that development should not happen at the cost of human lives, cultural heritage, and natural ecosystems.

Narmada Bachao Andolan History 

The movement started as Narmada Dharangrast Samiti in 1985, later renamed Narmada Bachao Andolan in 1989. It emerged when the government planned the Narmada Valley Development Project, which included 30 large dams, 135 medium dams, and over 3,000 small dams along the river.

People living in the valley feared losing their homes, farms, and forests. Led by Medha Patkar, the movement brought together thousands of affected families, NGOs, and activists who demanded justice, rehabilitation, and environmental protection.

 

Sardar Sarovar Dam About 

Sardar Sarovar Dam aimed to bring progress through irrigation, electricity, and water supply, the large-scale displacement of people along with environmental damage became the driving force behind the Narmada Bachao Andolan protests.

Feature	Details
Location	Narmada River, Kevadiya, Gujarat
Project Visionary	Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel
Foundation Laid	Jawaharlal Nehru (1961)
Type	Concrete Gravity Dam
Height	163 meters (India’s third tallest)
Purpose	Irrigation, electricity, drinking water supply

The dam promised development but caused massive displacement and environmental concerns. This became the central reason for the protests.

Narmada Bachao Andolan Formation Movement

Narmada Bachao Andolan was formed through the efforts of several regional groups working for the rights of displaced people affected by the construction of large dams on the Narmada River. These groups came together with a common goal of ensuring justice and fair rehabilitation:

• Narmada Asargrastha Samiti (Gujarat): Fought for the rights of dam-affected families in Gujarat.
• Narmada Ghati Nav Nirman Samiti (Madhya Pradesh): Worked towards protecting livelihoods and opposing forced displacement in Madhya Pradesh.
  Narmada Dharangrastha Samiti (Maharashtra): Advocated for proper resettlement and compensation for affected people in Maharashtra.

These regional groups later united under the banner of Narmada Bachao Andolan to fight against unjust displacement and demand fair resettlement policies for thousands of families. The movement strictly followed non-violent methods inspired by Mahatma Gandhi, focusing on peaceful protests, long marches, hunger strikes, and legal actions.

Narmada Bachao Andolan Leaders 

These leaders played a crucial role in spreading awareness and mobilizing people, which helped the Narmada Bachao Andolan gain national as well as international attention.

Leader	Contribution
Medha Patkar	Led the movement, organized hunger strikes, peaceful protests, and legal petitions.
Baba Amte	Supported the campaign and wrote “Cry O Beloved Narmada” in 1989.
Ali Kazimi	Documented the struggle in his film “Narmada: A Valley Rises”.
Anand Patwardhan	Directed the award-winning documentary “A Narmada Diary”.
Alok Agarwal	Played an active role in awareness campaigns and protests.
Nitish Kumar	Participated in a rally supporting the movement in 2016.

What Was Main Aim of Narmada Bachao Andolan?

The main aim of the movement was to protect displaced families while ensuring environmental sustainability. The activists believed that development should include people, not displace them. The Narmada Bachao Andolan worked to highlight issues such as:

• Loss of livelihood for tribal and farming communities
• Submergence of agricultural and forest lands
• Threats to biodiversity
• Lack of proper resettlement and rehabilitation measures

Narmada Bachao Andolan Protests and Activities

Narmada Bachao Andolan adopted peaceful and non-violent methods to highlight the struggles of displaced people and protect the environment. Its activities gained nationwide and international attention:

• Hunger Strikes: Led by Medha Patkar, these strikes demanded proper rehabilitation and fair compensation for affected families.
• Awareness Marches: The famous Narmada Jan Vikas Sangharsh Yatra mobilized thousands of people and spread awareness about the negative impact of large dams.
• Legal Battles: Multiple petitions were filed in the Supreme Court challenging inadequate rehabilitation policies and seeking justice for displaced communities.
• Cultural Campaigns: Several artists, writers, and filmmakers supported the movement by documenting stories and raising awareness through films and literature.
• Public Demonstrations: Massive sit-ins and rallies were organized in Delhi and other major cities to pressure the government and attract media attention.

Narmada Bachao Andolan vs Union of India 2020

The case of Narmada Bachao Andolan vs Union of India 2020 highlighted the continuing struggle of displaced families. The activists challenged the government over incomplete rehabilitation, inadequate compensation, and lack of environmental safeguards. This case brought national attention to the rights of affected communities.

Role of World Bank and Morse Commission

In 1985, the World Bank approved a loan of $450 million for the construction of the Sardar Sarovar Dam.

• Activists opposed this decision because proper environmental and social assessments were not conducted before providing the funds.
• In 1991, the Morse Commission was formed to investigate the social as well as environmental impacts of the project.
• After reviewing the findings, the commission highlighted serious issues related to displacement, rehabilitation, and ecological damage. Based on this report, the World Bank withdrew its support in 1993, which became a significant victory for the Narmada Bachao Andolan.

Narmada Bachao Andolan Achievements of Movement

Narmada Bachao Andolan achieved several significant milestones that brought social, environmental, and legal changes:

• Forced the World Bank to withdraw funding in 1993 – After the Morse Commission exposed serious flaws in planning, the movement’s continuous protests compelled the World Bank to cancel its financial support for the Sardar Sarovar Dam.
• Raised awareness about displacement and environmental destruction – It highlighted the hardships faced by thousands of displaced families and the irreversible damage to forests, rivers, and biodiversity.
• Gained global recognition for grassroots struggles – The movement became internationally known as a powerful example of how people’s collective efforts can influence development decisions.
• Secured Supreme Court orders ensuring better compensation – Due to continuous legal battles, the Supreme Court ordered improved rehabilitation packages and better compensation for displaced families.
• Slowed down some dam projects and influenced government policies – Persistent protests forced authorities to review certain dam projects and adopt more environment-friendly and people-centered policies

Narmada Bachao Andolan Challenges Faced

Despite its achievements, the Narmada Bachao Andolan faced several major challenges that slowed down its progress and made the struggle more difficult:

• Repression by authorities, including arrests and police action – Protesters were often detained, and peaceful demonstrations faced heavy police crackdowns, making it difficult to sustain the movement.
• Limited political support for rehabilitation policies – Many political leaders failed to back the demands for proper rehabilitation, leaving thousands of displaced families without adequate help.
• Divisions within the movement on strategies – Differences among leaders and activists about protest methods sometimes weakened the unity of the campaign.
• Conflict between development goals and environmental concerns – The government prioritized rapid industrial growth, which often clashed with the movement’s demands for environmental protection and social justice.
• Strong lobbying by pro-dam groups – Powerful industrial and political groups supporting dam construction created additional hurdles, influencing decisions in favor of the project.
• These challenges tested the strength of the movement, yet the persistence of its leaders and supporters kept the fight alive for justice and environmental protection.

Narmada Bachao Andolan Importance

Narmada Bachao Andolan is regarded as a landmark in India’s environmental and social justice history. Its importance can be understood through the following points:

• Protecting people’s rights and livelihoods – The movement safeguarded the interests of thousands of families who faced displacement due to dam construction, ensuring their struggles were heard at national and international levels.
• Preserving forests, wildlife, and agricultural land – By opposing uncontrolled dam projects, it helped protect natural habitats, fertile lands, and biodiversity along the Narmada River basin.
• Promoting sustainable development alternatives – The movement highlighted the need for development models that balance economic progress with environmental conservation and social welfare.
• Empowering local communities to raise their voices – It encouraged villagers, farmers, and tribal communities to fight for their rights and actively participate in decisions affecting their lives.
• Inspiring future environmental movements – The success and impact of this campaign motivated several other grassroots movements across India focused on environmental protection and human rights.

Narmada Bachao Andolan not only reshaped policies on rehabilitation and development but also became a symbol of people’s power in defending their land, environment, and rights.

Conclusion

Narmada Bachao Andolan represents the fight of ordinary people to protect their homes, forests, and rivers. It teaches that true development must balance economic progress, environmental sustainability, and human rights. The movement continues to inspire social and environmental campaigns across India.

 

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