The mighty Narmada in dire straits in Gujarat

River Narmada has become thin, ugly and weak, without vigour and beauty.

The continuous increase in human needs put pressure on natural resources.

The enormity of the occasion only dawns on you when you stand on top of the Sardar Sarovar Dam.

The Narmada river is drained now and it is dying of thirst itself.

People claim that dam will boost tourism but this is what tourists will see when they will visit Gujarat, "The dying Narmada".

The Narmada which used to appear like a long white giant serpent now looks like white thread.

Green submerged tops of erstwhile hills jutting out of the water and making their presence felt.

A lot of water was wasted when the Narmada gushed into the ocean freely.

But now only a trickle reaches the sea.

Serene view from the vantage point.

Narmada river flows through a long, terrific gorge.

This gorge extends into Gujarat where the river is tapped by the Sardar Sarovar dam.

The Sardar Sarovar Dam is a gravity dam on the Narmada river near Navagam, Gujarat.

Various debates on its environmental impact, net costs and benefits make this dam highly controversial.

The enormous electricity, created in the bowels of the mighty structure, is felt through the trr trr of the wires hanging above the head.

The project is meant to irrigate more than 18,000 sq.km. Most of it in drought-prone areas of Kutch and Saurashtra, here where rainwater is scarce.