Two environmental groups in Karnataka have criticized the Bedati and Varada river-linking project, calling it unscientific and a waste of public money.
Today Current Affairs
Bedati-Varda Project:
The Bedti-Varda project was envisaged in the year 1992 for the supply of drinking water.
The objective of the scheme is to connect the Bedati, a west-flowing river towards the Arabian Sea, with the Varada, a tributary of the Tungabhadra River, which joins the Krishna River and drains into the Bay of Bengal.
A huge dam will be built at Hierwadatti in Gadag district.
A second dam will be built on the Pattanahalla River at Menasagoda in Sirsi in Uttara Kannada district.
Both the dams will carry water through tunnels to Varda.
The water will reach to Kengre and then to Hakkalumane for 6.88 km. Ki will flow down the tunnel, where it will join the Varda. The Hindu Analysis
Thus the project envisages carrying water from Sirsi-Yelapura region of Uttara Kannada district to arid regions of Raichur, Gadag and Koppal districts.
A total of 302 million cubic meters of water will be drawn from the Pattanahalla and Shalmalahalla tributaries of the Bedati and Varada rivers, while 222 million cubic meters will be diverted from the Suremane barrage opposite the Bedati River.
The project will require 61 MW of electricity to draw water up to Gadag. Even after this, it is not known whether the water will reach Gadag or not.
Project related issues:
Difficulty in rescheduling the route : The Hindu Analysis
Redirecting a west flowing river to east flowing is a difficult task.
Rivers dependent on rain water : The Hindu Analysis
At the beginning of summer, the rivers Bedti and Varda start drying up.
It is a sad irony that government-appointed scientists are planning to interlink these rivers on the pretext of providing drinking water, knowing that they do not flow throughout the year.
Lack of proper project report : The Hindu Analysis
The Detailed Project Report (DPR) prepared by the Irrigation Department is not accurate as it does not assess the availability of water and the National Water Development Agency (NWDA) on the interconnection of rivers Bedati-Aghanashini and Varda ) was prepared without quoting the observation of the report.
Environmental effect : The Hindu Analysis
More than 500 acres of forest will be lost. Ultimately the result will be that there will also be a significant shortage of water.
This project will also harm the flora and fauna.
The Bedati Valley has been designated as an Active Biodiversity Area by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. The Hindu Analysis
The region is home to 1,741 types of flowering plants as well as 420 species of birds and animals.
The nutrients that accompany the river are responsible for maintaining the fish stock especially at the mouth of the Bedti in the Dedi.
The river valley acts as a corridor for about 35 different animal species. Bedati in the estuary is known as Gangavali.
Affected lives of thousands of people : The Hindu Analysis
In addition to fishing communities along the banks of the Bedati and Varada rivers, the Malenadu region at the foothills of the Western Ghats is the source of livelihood for thousands of farmers.
Here we mention all information about Bedti-Varda Project Today Current Affairs.
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