Mysore: the union government is planning to implement a project linking the two rivers in the core of Western Ghats of Karnataka amid rising concerns over deforestation, landslides and extreme weather events.
Minister of Water Resources Bishweswar Tudu told the Lok Sabha recently that it has been proposed to connect the river Netravati and Hemavati in Hassan district and Chikkamagalur and Bedti and Varda in Shivamogga and Uttara Kannada district.
The people of the region and activists of countries have expressed opposition to the proposal twin, fearing they could release sensitive Ghats disaster zone.
According to the Minister, the report prefisiasi on Netravati-Hemavati project has been completed.
It is estimated that nearly 0.34 lakh hectares of land could be irrigated every year and there is no availability of water for drinking, industrial purposes or power plant under the project.
Draft report on Bedti-Varda Project Report is ready.
Appropriate estimates, this project will help irrigate one lakh hectares of land.
At least 3 million cubic meters of water (cubic meter equals 1,000 liters of water) can be used for drinking and industrial purposes, besides helping in the production of nearly 400 MW power.
‘River Linking is not recommended in Ghats’Ananth Ashisara Hegde, chairman of the Council of State of Karnataka Biodiversity, told TOI that the previous studies and experts suggest that the projects that connect the river is not recommended in the Western Ghat region ecologically sensitive.
“However, I do not know the detailed project proposals or reports related to this plan,” he added.
Dinesh Holla, an activist, said the project Hemavati-netravati will ring the death of death in Dakshina Kannada and Hassan district.
“In the last eight years, nothing is achieved through Yetinahole in Sakleshpur Taluk project.
Now, the center is planning to connect children with Hemavati Netravati river.
It will cause great damage to the environment,” he said.
A environmentalists say they have been opposing the project that connects bedti-Varda for more than two decades because it would lead to an environmental disaster in Shivamogga and Uttara Kannada district.
“We will not let the government implement the project,” he added.
Ajay Kumar Sharma, an activist of Shivamogga, said Varda River does not have enough water.
In addition, the Western Ghats face of extreme weather events, which are likely to increase if the project is connecting the river is taken.
“Failure yetinahol project should be an eye opener for all those who propose a project like this,” he said.