I recently came across an article about an Iraqi Dam termed the most dangerous in the world, on the verge of destruction.. The dam break would not only kill hundreds but also inundate one of the world's most famous historic sites, ?Mosul?.

Dams were once believed to be an epitome of man made creations. But as time progressed, humans soon began to discover its varied implicit impacts socio- economically as well as environmentally.

They directly impact the physical, chemical and biological impacts of river environments and is responsible for the massive displacement for local tribes.

The dam wall blocks fish migration and traps sediments which can lead to the degradation in fertility of deltas, flood plains and wetlands ideal for agricultural.

Changes in temperature, chemical comp., dissolved oxygen levels etc., due to damming of a river are often not suitable to the aquatic plants and animals that evolved with a given river system and can lead to undermining of the river's natural flora and fauna.

Moreover damming lowers groundwater tables along a river, lowering the ground water accessible to plant roots and to human communities.

Infact these dams have led to the extinction of many aquatic species, reduced migration of birds, huge losses of forest and farmland, and many other unmitigable impacts. On the contrary we cannot deny the equal number of benefits we derive out of dams.

Destruction of dams does not help solve the problem either as it can cause a loss of upto 200 million dollars. As much as 60% of the worlds dams are under a deteriorating condition.

Only regular check ups, reconstructions and policy changes can help combat this problem.

Iraq's Mosul Dam, Photograph Allesandro Rota, Nat Geo