Ken-Betwa river linking project: Govt’s ambitious project, what is it and how it can impact environment?

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Ken-Betwa River Linking National Project on Wednesday. The project, though the first of its kind in water management, is surrounded by many concerns and criticisms.  

The main aim of the Ken-Betwa Link Project (KBLP) aims to transfer water from the Ken River to the Betwa River. Both the rivers are tributaries of the Yamuna. The transfer would take place via a 221-km canal which consists of a 2-km tunnel. The project is said to be completed in eight years with an expected cost of Rs 44,605 crore. 

The river linking project is the first under the National Perspective Plan for interlinking rivers started in 1980 at Khajuraho in Madhya Pradesh. 

Govt’s ambitious project 

The Jal Shakti ministry hails the potential of the Ken Betwa river linking project as being capable of eradicating the issue of chronic water scarcity of the Bundelkhand region, including parts of Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh.  

One of the most important pieces of infrastructure is the Daudhan Dam, which will be 2,031 meters long and 77 meters high. The dam would affect ten villages and sink around 9,000 hectares of land, but it will also allow for the storage and movement of water. 

“Nearly 44 lakh people in 10 districts of Madhya Pradesh and 21 lakh in Uttar Pradesh will get drinking water under the project, which is estimated to cost Rs 44,605 crore. Nearly 7.18 lakh farmer families of 2,000 villages will benefit from the project, which will also generate 103 MW of hydropower and 27 MW of solar energy,” Madhya Pradesh chief minister Mohan Yadav told PTI. 

According to the government, the project has the potential to irrigate 10.62 lakh hectares of land every year, which includes 8.11 lakh hectares in MP and 2.51 lakh hectares in UP. It has the capacity to supply drinking water to around 62 lakh people and generate 103 MW of hydropower and 27 MW of solar power. 

Controversies surrounding the project 

The project is facing objections from all sides. The Congress has criticised the project coming at the cost of environment as it can affect the Panna Tiger Reserve which has more than 90 tigers.  

Because of the submersion of forested area, conservationists warn of habitat fragmentation and biodiversity loss. 

The project will submerge over 10 per cent of the core area of the tiger reserve, pointed out the former environment minister who had said no to the project In 2011. 

"Not only prime tiger habitats – but also those of other species like vultures – will be lost. The ecosystem will be bifurcated. More than 23 lakh trees are to be felled. Construction activities will be a severe disturbance," Congress’ Jairam Ramesh said. 

Environmental activists and other experts suggest loss of environment and habitat.  

Himanshu Thakkar from the South Asia Network on Dams, Rivers and People told The Telegraph Online that due to the project around 46 lakh trees are expected to be fell resulting in the loss of habitat.  

A former director of the Panna Tiger Reserve in its report detailed the impact of the river project on the tiger habitat. However, the government transferred him to another reserve in May 2015.  

“Forest advisory committee said this project should not be cleared. Destroying trees would lead to a decrease in rainfall. Floods will increase. There will be erosion after monsoon. Ken basin will remain backward,” Thakkar said. He also explained that there was no water shortage in the Bundelkhand region 60 years ago and that the government was destroying the environment in the name of development. Ensuring proper ground water recharge, and rainwater harvesting would be more cost-effective.” 

However, the Jal Shakti Ministry has continued to defend the project emphasising more on its benefits and rejecting the adverse impact. “The project will transform Bundelkhand, ensuring water scarcity does not hinder development in the region,” the ministry stated.