Wildlife experts apprehensive about Ken-Betwa Link Project

 

 

 

 

Though Ken-Betwa Link Project of Madhya Pradesh has got final approval of authorities after 18 years of battle, but the wildlife experts are raising question over the project. An independent committee of the Supreme Court of India has also said that the project is harmful for the environment. Experts said that the project would have its serious impact on biodiversity of Ken River and habitat of tigers, vultures and Ghariyal in Panna Tiger Reserve. Ken Betwa Link Project was in limbo for past 18 years. The project got approval on certain conditions. Local of Panna are also annoyed with the construction of dam on Ken River. A big portion of Panna is situated in lower area of Ken River (other side of the dam). Locals are scared that after construction of dam, larger amount of water would be sent to Bundelkhand through link channel. According to report, during year 2016, Supreme Court had formed a centre empowered committee (CEC). The committee suggested that any conserved or sensitive eco-system should not be destroy because of development projects especially in a significant tiger habitat.

 

The committee said such steps would not be in favour of human being or wildlife. The committee also asked about water availability in Ken River for further irrigation in various parts of Bundelkhand. In order to give clearance to the project, an expert appraisal committee was formed. There were five meetings from August 2015 to June 2016, but project could not get environment clearance. After that expert appraisal committee was dissolved. A new committee was formed in December 2016 and in its first meeting, the committee gave clearance to the project. Karan Rai, local resident of Panna, says, “In lower area of the river there will be only stones and our entire farms will be destroyed. Animals and human being will remain thirsty. Only locals of Panna will bear the loss due to the project.” Panna Tiger Reserve got notification of National Park due to significant contribution of former forest secretary M K Ranjeet Singh Jhala. Even he has important role to bring Cheetah in India after 70 years. He has given recognition to the beauty of Panna and now he is unhappy with the Ken-Betwa Link Project.

 

M K Ranjeet Singh Jhala, wildlife expert, says, “In wildlife board meeting I asked about the low pressure of water in lower area. I did not get satisfactory answer. The project would provide loss of water and park will also be destroy.”

Himanshu Thakkar, a petitioner against the project said, “Forest advisory committee raised concern over destruction of 46 lakh trees during forest clearance meeting but in response it was said that this is the only option to end up the dryness of Bundelkhand.” He further said that there is no proper assessment of Ken River water to check the water sufficiency for supply to the Betwa basin. Director General of NWDA Bhopal Singh says, “Ken River has water for only three months and after that river remain almost dry. We can store its water only during Monsoon. We would ensure to provide sufficient water to the people having first right on it.” Wildlife experts said that 53 per cent buffer area of Panna Tiger Reserve is not appropriate to the tigers. There are 7 species of vultures in PTR and they are around 1,500 in count. This is endangered species. There are 40 spots recorded in the reserve where vulture are setting up their nests. After the Ken Betwa Link project, their nests would be destroyed. In list of animals, tiger and vulture (bird list) and ghariyal (water aquatic animal) are on top of the food chain and their presence keep the balance in environment.