BELAGAVI
In what could be termed as a major setback to Karnataka and a huge victory for Goa in the Kalasa-Bhandura water diversion tangle, the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) has rejected the demand of Government of Karnataka for the diversion of 26.96 hectares of forest land for the implementation of the Kalasa-Bhandura water diversion project.
This decision was taken during the 77th meeting of the permanent committee of the authority chaired by Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Bhupendra Yadav on January 30.
Earlier, in January, the NTCA had constituted an expert committee to conduct on-site inspection of the Kalasa-Bhandura water diversion project in the forested areas of Khanapur taluka in Belagavi district of Karnataka on the tiger corridor and had submitted a report.
According to sources, a comprehensive discussion was held regarding the project's implementation and its impact during the meeting.
This matter will now be taken up in the judicial process (Sab Judicata). As per Section 38 of the Wildlife Protection Act of 1972, the permanent committee is empowered to make decisions on proposals submitted by the authority.
The proposal was submitted by the Karnataka government to the National Tiger Conservation Authority for approval. The proposal also included the need for the approval of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change for the use of 26.96 hectares of forest land required for the project. The proposal was also submitted to the Ministry for approval.
The project aims to provide drinking water to towns and villages around Hubballi-Dharwad. The proposal clarified that the project does not come under the purview of the Environmental Impact Assessment Notification-2006, as clarified by the Ministry of Environment and Forests in 2019.
It was also mentioned in the proposal that environmental clearance is not required for the project.
Additionally, as per the Environmental Management Plan of the project, it was stated that environmental conservation measures will be implemented.
However, the National Tiger Conservation Authority has rejected the approval for this project.
