Context:
A team from the Progressive River Authority for Water and Harmony (PRAWAH), the central authority for the Mahadayi River, visited Belagavi district in Karnataka.
Mahadayi River Dispute
- River Details: The Mahadayi River, also known as Mandovi or Mhadei, has been the subject of a long-standing dispute between Karnataka and Goa.
- Conflict Origin: The dispute started in 1985 when Karnataka proposed a 350-megawatt hydroelectric project to divert over 50% of the river’s water for irrigation purposes.
- Opposition: Goa, the lower riparian state, has consistently opposed this water diversion plan.
- Tribunal Formation: The Mahadayi Water Tribunal was established under the Interstate River Water Disputes Act in 2010.
- Water Allocation: In 2018, the tribunal allocated water usage among the states: Goa (24 tmcft), Karnataka (5.4 tmcft), and Maharashtra (1.33 tmcft). Karnataka appealed this decision to the Supreme Court.
- Current Status: Despite the tribunal’s verdict allowing Karnataka to draw extra water for power generation, the state has not received any water due to the ongoing dispute.
Environmental Concerns and Project Revisions
- Deforestation Concerns: Goa has raised concerns about deforestation due to the project.
- Revised Project Report: Karnataka has maintained a revised project report that minimizes forest impact and ensures reforestation.
- Tiger Conservation: Goa claims the project would impact tiger conservation, but the National Tiger Conservation Authority has found no evidence of tigers in the Kanakumbi forest.
- PRAWAH Team’s Mission: The team’s visit aims to assess if Karnataka has started construction, gather information about natural water flow and distribution, and verify claims about tiger reserves.
Kalasa-Banduri Project
- Project Overview: The Kalasa-Banduri Project proposed by the Karnataka government aims to divert water from the Mandovi River through the Kalasa and Banduri canals into the Malaprabha River.
- Purpose: The project aims to provide drinking water to parts of four districts: Dharwad, Belagavi, Bagalkote, and Gadag.
- Construction Plan: The entire project involves constructing 11 dams on the Mandovi River.
- Goa’s Concerns:
- Environmental Impact: Goa argues the project threatens the Western Ghats, a mega biodiversity hotspot, by affecting the flow of macronutrients and impacting the flora and fauna in the Mahadayi Wildlife Sanctuary.
- Tidal and Water Source Issues: Goa contends that the diversion would increase tidal base water, affecting residents along the Surla River and depleting underground water sources.