India’s first river interlinking project caught in U.P.-M.P. tussle

India’s first river interlinking project caught in U.P.-M.P. tussle

News:

1. Number of issues has been hindering the Ken-Betwa Project- the first river-interlinking project in India

Important facts:

2. The project will transfer surplus water from Ken River to Betwa Basin

2. Two phases:

• 1^st phase involves the building of Dhaudhan dam, and a 230km long canal for transferring water from the Ken River to Bundelkhand region of Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh.
• 2^nd Phase: local water management projects- the Kotha barrage, Lower Orr and Bina complex

4. Benefits:

• Irrigate drought-prone areas of Bundelkhand Region and adjoining areas
• Meeting drinking water needs

5. Major Issues:

• The dispute over water sharing
• The dispute over water sharing between Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh during the Rabi season
• Madhya Pradesh declined the assumptions of 2005 agreement between U.P and M.P on water sharing
• Madhya Pradesh has demanded inclusion of local water management projects to meet the water needs. These projects are included in the 2^nd phase and inclusion in the 1^st phase would require fresh environmental appraisals.
• Acquiring non-forest land; environmental concerns
• The project involves deforesting a large portion of the Panna Tiger reserve