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Ken-Betwa River Linking Project: Balancing Development and Conservation

Why in News?: Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone of the Ken- Betwa River Linking National Project on Wednesday (December 25), on the 100th birth anniversary of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee.

About Ken-Betwa River:

The Ken-Betwa River Linking Project (KBLP) is a flagship initiative under India’s National Perspective Plan (1980) to interlink rivers. It aims to address water scarcity, boost irrigation, and foster socio-economic growth in the drought-prone Bundelkhand region, covering parts of Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh. While the project promises transformative benefits, it also raises significant environmental and social concerns.

Key Features of the Project

• Objective: Transfer surplus water from the Ken River (Madhya Pradesh) to the Betwa River (Uttar Pradesh).
  • Provide sustainable irrigation, drinking water supply, and hydroelectric power for the Bundelkhand region.
• Components:
  • Construction of the Daudhan Dam on the Ken River.
  • A 221-kilometre canal connects the two rivers.
  • Installation of hydroelectric power plants (103 MW) and solar power facilities (27 MW).
• Cost and Funding:
  • Approved project cost: ₹44,605 crore (as of 2021).
  • Allocations under Union Budget 2022-23: ₹1,400 crore.
  • Estimated completion timeline: 8 years.
• Expected Benefits:
  • Irrigation for 9 lakh hectares of farmland.
  • Drinking water supply for 62 lakh people.
  • Renewable energy generation for regional development.

Dr. B.R. Ambedkar’s Vision for Water Resource Management

• Water Policy Architect: Dr. Ambedkar, as Chairman of the Central Waterways, Irrigation, and Navigation Commission (CWINC), emphasized efficient use and equitable distribution of water for national development. He proposed interlinking rivers to address droughts and regional disparities.
• Framing Water Laws: Ambedkar played a key role in drafting laws on irrigation and dam construction, shaping India’s water infrastructure. His efforts led to projects like the Damodar Valley Corporation (DVC) and multipurpose river valley systems.
• Social Justice Focus: He viewed equitable water distribution as a tool to reduce social and economic inequalities, benefiting marginalized communities and drought-prone areas.
• Support for River Interlinking: Ambedkar advocated river interlinking to balance water availability, particularly in arid regions. The Ken-Betwa Link Project (KBLP) reflects this vision by improving water access in Bundelkhand.

Ken-Betwa Project and Ambedkar’s Legacy

• Realizing Ambedkar’s Vision: The KBLP embodies Ambedkar’s ideas on river interlinking, tackling water scarcity, food insecurity, and poverty, especially in Bundelkhand.
  • Reduces dependence on rainfall, stabilizing irrigation and drinking water supply.
• Regional Development: The project boosts irrigation and drinking water supply in disadvantaged areas, promoting inclusive growth as Ambedkar envisioned.
• National Water Vision: It underscores India’s focus on sustainable water management, echoing Ambedkar’s belief in water as a driver of progress and equity.

• Agricultural Growth: Irrigation expansion to 9 lakh hectares boosts productivity and supports over 2 million farmers.
  • Reduces crop failure risks and enhances rural livelihoods.
• Energy Generation: Produces 103 MW of hydroelectric power and 27 MW of solar power, contributing to regional energy needs.
• Flood and Drought Management: Regulates water flow between rivers, mitigating floods and droughts.

Environmental and Social Concerns

• Impact on Panna Tiger Reserve: Submerges 6,017 hectares of forest land, including 4,141 hectares in the Panna Tiger Reserve, home to tigers, vultures, and ghariyals. It may threaten biodiversity and wildlife habitats.
• Deforestation and Ecosystem Disruption: Large-scale deforestation may disturb wildlife corridors and lead to human-animal conflicts.
• Displacement of Communities: Thousands face displacement due to the submergence of villages, raising concerns about inadequate resettlement.
• Hydrological Concerns: Questions about the Ken River’s surplus water availability, especially during dry years, may impact the project’s feasibility.
• Climate Change Risks: Unpredictable rainfall and rising temperatures may reduce the reliability of surplus water.

Alternatives and Mitigation Measures

• Rainwater Harvesting: Promote localized water conservation to address scarcity without large-scale infrastructure.
• Watershed Development: Implement integrated watershed programs to recharge groundwater and enhance soil moisture.
• Efficient Water Use: Encourage practices like drip irrigation and crop diversification for sustainable farming.
• Environmental Safeguards: Offset biodiversity loss through afforestation and habitat restoration in non-affected areas.
  • Establish wildlife corridors to mitigate disruptions to animal migration.
• Resettlement and Compensation: Ensure adequate rehabilitation for displaced communities with sustainable livelihood options.

Conclusion

The Ken-Betwa River Linking Project represents a transformative effort to resolve Bundelkhand’s water crisis and boost agricultural productivity. However, its ecological and social costs cannot be ignored. A balanced approach, integrating sustainable development, stakeholder participation, and robust environmental safeguards, is crucial to ensuring that the project achieves its objectives while preserving the region’s ecological integrity.

The End of the Blog: Ken-Betwa River Linking Project: Balancing Development and Conservation