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Mahadayi Project
Context:
The long-standing Mahadayi water project, aimed at addressing chronic water scarcity in three districts of north Karnataka (Belagavi, Dharwad, and Gadag), may soon receive crucial approval from the National Board for Wildlife (NBWL).
More on News:
Reports suggest that the NBWL is set to reconsider its earlier decision to deny wildlife clearance for the project, which plans to divert water from the Mahadayi River through the Kalasa-Banduri canal.
Project Overview
- The Mahadayi project seeks to provide drinking water to arid regions of Karnataka by utilising water from the Mahadayi River.
- This initiative has been contentious, particularly among the states of Karnataka, Goa, and Maharashtra.
- Goa has expressed strong opposition, citing potential environmental impacts on the river’s ecosystem, coastal areas, and ongoing tiger conservation efforts.
- The Karnataka government has criticised the NBWL for withholding permission to use 10.68 hectares of land within the Kali and Sahyadri Tiger Reserves, crucial for infrastructure components such as a Jack Well Pump House, an electrical substation, and pipelines.
- To resolve the dispute, the Mahadayi Water Disputes Tribunal was established in 2010. The tribunal awarded a portion of the river’s water to Karnataka while imposing conditions to protect Goa’s interests.
Key Highlights:
- The central government approved the project in 2022, but it requires over 26 hectares of forest land, including the critical 10.68 hectares in the tiger reserves.
- The NBWL, responsible for wildlife protection, has withheld permission due to concerns over the impact on the tiger corridor and other ecological issues.
- The Karnataka government has announced plans to take an all-party delegation to the central government to seek intervention.
- The project is essential for ensuring water security in North Karnataka, with delays affecting residents in the region.
- Environmentalists warn that construction in this protected area could disrupt wildlife habitats, particularly for the endangered tiger population.
- In response, the Karnataka government has proposed mitigation measures such as compensatory afforestation and strict environmental monitoring during construction.
About Mahadayi River:
- The Mahadayi River, also known as the Mandovi River in Goa, is a significant waterway in India that traverses the states of Karnataka, Maharashtra, and Goa.
- It originates in the Western Ghats from the Bhimgad Wildlife Sanctuary in Karnataka’s Belagavi district and flows approximately 111 kilometres before emptying into the Arabian Sea at Panaji, Goa.
- The river is crucial for the region, providing drinking water to nearly half of Goa’s population and supporting various ecosystems along its course.
- The river is fed by several tributaries, including Kalasa Nala, Surla Nala, Haltar Nala, and Poti Nala.
- The river is not only vital for irrigation and drinking water but also enriches the cultural heritage of the regions it flows through.