Syllabus: GS 1/Geography

Why in News?

• Recently, Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone of the Ken-Betwa River Linking National Project in Madhya Pradesh’s Khajuraho district. It is expected to be completed within eight years. The project was envisioned in the 1980’s.

Aim of the Project

• The project aims to transport excess water from Madhya Pradesh's Ken River to the Betwa River. It is projected to bring wealth to the Bundelkhand area. The project is intended to benefit the Bundelkhand region, which spans 13 districts in Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh.

History and Phases

• Unresolved water-sharing disputes between two states caused delays in the project, which was first conceived in the 1980s. With a revised agreement in 2021, it gained momentum from its initial 2015 start date. To carry out the project, the governments of Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh signed a pact with the Ministry of Jal Shakti on March 22, 2021.

• Phase I: Includes powerhouses, the Ken-Betwa Link Canal, the Low-Level Tunnel, the high-level tunnel, and the Daudhan Dam.

• Phase II: Lower Orr Dam, Bina Complex, and Kotha Barrage are covered.

Significance of Ken-Betwa Link Project

An important turning point in India's river interlinking initiatives, the Ken-Betwa Link Project aims to alleviate water constraints and advance sustainable development. Important advantages include:

• Irrigation Support: Provides water to the Bundelkhand region, which is experiencing drought. 10.62 lakh hectares are irrigated annually (8.11 lakh ha in Madhya Pradesh and 2.51 lakh ha in Uttar Pradesh).

• Agricultural Productivity: Enhances agricultural productivity and fortifies rural economies through economic development.

• Hydro and solar power: This renewable energy source reduces dependency on fossil fuels by producing 103 MW of hydropower and solar power (27 MW).

• Safe drinking water: Supplies more than 62 lakh people with safe and clean drinking water.

• Climate adaptation Alleviates water shortages and promotes resilience to climate change.

  
  

Challenges and Concerns Associated

• Environmental Impacts: 2-3 million trees will be cut down, and approximately 98 sq km of Panna National Park will be inundated. 

• Wildlife Threats: The Daudhan Dam may disrupt gharials in the Ken Gharial Sanctuary, damage vulture nesting sites, and impair the tiger population in Panna National Park. Over 10% of the Panna Tiger Reserve's core area would be submerged as a result of the first project under the National Perspective Plan (NPP) for interlinking rivers.

• Hydrological Risks: Experts want transparency in Ken River's hydrological data, while IIT-Bombay warns of a 12% decrease in September rainfall as a result of a disruption in land-atmosphere feedback.

• Displacement: 5,228 families in Chhatarpur and 1,400 in Panna districts will be displaced by the project.

• Issues with Compensation: Protests draw attention to the impacted communities' limited benefits and insufficient recompense, particularly in Panna.

• Wildlife and Environmental Clearance: The Central Empowered Committee (CEC) of the Supreme Court has expressed concerns over the project's economic viability and wildlife clearance.

• Violation of Precedents: There has been a breach of precedent. A contentious precedent for extensive infrastructure in national parks and tiger reserves was established when the Union Environment Ministry authorized development inside the Panna Tiger Reserve's core.

Way Forward

The following actions ought to be given top priority in order to guarantee the Ken-Betwa Link Project's success while overcoming the challenges:

• Balancing Development and Conservation: The Panna Tiger Reserve's unaffected regions should be better protected, compensatory afforestation should be ensured under the CAMPA Act (2016), and habitat degradation should be minimized.

• Scientific Assessments: Carry out open hydrological research and enlist the help of impartial specialists to confirm results and suggest enhancements. By implementing these strategies, the Ken-Betwa Link Project may achieve a balance between environmental sustainability and developmental objectives, guaranteeing resilient and inclusive growth for the area.

• Wildlife Protection: Create habitat corridors, relocation projects, and monitoring systems to protect species like tigers, gharials, and vultures.

• Community Engagement and Compensation: Provide just compensation in accordance with the Right to Fair Compensation Act (2013), address concerns through consultations, and create long-term livelihood programs for impacted communities.

• Sustainable Water Management: Encourage equitable distribution and efficient use of water, and incorporate the project into larger water resource strategies for long-term sustainability.

• Policy and Legal Reforms: Tighten rules for infrastructure projects in ecologically sensitive areas and give conservation top priority in wildlife clearance procedures.

• Monitoring and Accountability: Create an independent oversight body, publish progress reports on a regular basis, and maintain transparency to preserve public confidence.

Conclusion

The Ken-Betwa project must serve as a model for future initiatives, demonstrating how adherence to environmental laws, proper planning, and equitable solutions can enable inclusive and sustainable development while safeguarding ecological and social interests.

UPSC Mains Model Question

Q. Ken-Betwa Link Project is a double-edged sword, offering solutions to water scarcity while posing ecological risks.” Critically analyze this statement in light of its environmental and social implications. (250 words)