BELAGAVI
Continuing Karnataka’s demand to implement the controversial Kalsa-Bhandura water diversion project, Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar on Wednesday appealed to the Centre to grant permission to complete the project.
Deputy CM Shivakumar, who also holds the charge of the Ministry for Water Resources and Irrigation, called on Union Forest Minister Bhupender Yadav on Wednesday, pressing the demand.
“The Union Minister should intervene in the matter of the Kalsa-Bhandura canal project and grant the necessary permission from the Forest and Wildlife Board,” said Shivakumar, submitting a letter of request in this regard.
The letter states that on October 9, the Standing Committee of the National Wildlife Board, in its 80th meeting, directed the state government to adjourn the hearing of Karnataka’s application and clarify the legal issues in this regard. Accordingly, Karnataka submitted the necessary clarifications through letters on October 10 and 16.
The project requires 10.6852 hectares of forest land in the Kali and Sahyadri Tiger Reserve. It covers the area of villages around Kanakumbi in Khanapur taluka of Belagavi district. A jack well, pump house, and electrical substation will be constructed as part of the project.
In its 80th meeting, the Standing Committee discussed the points raised by the Chief of the Wildlife Board of Goa, who objected to the project work by invoking Section 29 of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972. In response, Karnataka submitted relevant documents before the Supreme Court.
The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) had constituted a committee of experts. This team visited the project work site and submitted its report. In this report, the authority stated that the legal battle between Goa, Maharashtra, and Karnataka regarding the Mhadei Water Dispute Tribunal verdict is in the SC.
Karnataka’s Contention
The Additional Chief Secretary of the Forest and Environment Department of the Government of Karnataka clarified that the SC has not raised any objection to Karnataka regarding the implementation of this project. Furthermore, he said that work on this project was decided upon only after obtaining all the necessary permissions from the Central Government as per the law.
Although this project is not part of the sanctuary, it falls within the tiger corridor area. The water sources to be constructed as part of this project will provide the necessary water to wildlife. Therefore, the Karnataka Wildlife Conservation Board informed the Standing Committee that permission should be granted for the project.
After discussing all these issues, the Standing Committee sought clarification on the legal issues and directed the submission of the Authority’s opinion. Karnataka has followed all these guidelines of the Standing Committee. However, there has been a delay in granting permission for this project.
“Therefore, as the Union Minister of Forests, he should intervene in this matter, examine the Authority’s opinion on Karnataka’s written request, and grant permission for the project as soon as possible. The Regional Empowerment Committee, Integrated Regional Office, Environment and Forest Department should take necessary steps to grant the required permission for the Kalsa project,” Karnataka’s letter states.
In the letter, Karnataka further emphasised that the state has reduced the amount of forest land required for the Kalsa project from 258 hectares to just 26.92 hectares. The forest land required for the Bhandura project has been reduced from 243 hectares to just 28.44 hectares. “In this way, the state has demonstrated its commitment to environmental protection. The Central Government should grant permission for this project without delay to protect the interests of the state,” the letter requested.
