The valleys of River Narmada are not only historically important, but also economically important. In present days, these valleys are the foundations for the various handicraft works and other small-scale industries. In Indian history, Chalukya emperor Pulakeshin II defeated emperor Harshavardhana of Kannauj on the banks of Narmada. The valley of the river Narmada has been the seat of continuous flow of human civilization dating from pre-historic times.

Attractions of Valleys of Narmada
The valley is famous for stunning Maheshwari sarees, which are hand-woven and comfortable in both humid weather and cold weather. These sarees are not only elegant but also light and easily manageable. These sarees have been very popular among the Indian women. The lower Narmada River Valley and the surroundings cover an area of 169,900 kilometres which covers the dry deciduous forests. The eco region lies between moister forests which are found within the routes like the northeast, southeast and southwest. These parts receive greater rainfall from the southeast monsoon and the drier forests with the scrublands of the Deccan to the south, Malwa, and Gujarat to the west and northwest.

Narmada Valley Project
The Narmada Valley Project intends to connect the stream of the economic wealth for the concerned areas. The whole project includes the construction of 30 major, 135 medium and 3,000 minor dams on the river. The full curves of the Narmada Valley Development Plan emerged only towards the late 1980s. It is a grand plan which imagines the building of 30 big dams. The struggle of the people of the Narmada valley against the large dams began when people displaced by Sardar Sarovar Project began while organizing it in 1985-86. Since then, the struggle spread to cover other major dams in various stages of planning and construction mainly the Maheshwar, Maan, Narmada Sagar, Goi and Jobat. Tawa and Bargi Dams were completed in the year of 1973 and 1989 respectively. Of the 30 big dams proposed in the Narmada River valley, Sardar Sarovar Project (SSP) and Narmada Sagar Project (NSP) are the largest dams. The Maheshwar and Omkareshwar dams along with Sardar Sarovar Project and Narmada Sagar Project are to form a complex which would finally cater to the requirements of SSP.