Now Reading: Centre says no Mahadayi EC proposal, Karnataka argues it is not needed
-
01
Centre says no Mahadayi EC proposal, Karnataka argues it is not needed
The Centre told the Lok Sabha that no proposal from Karnataka seeking an Environmental Clearance (EC) for diversion of the Mahadayi river is pending before the Union government. Union Minister Kirti Vardhan…
The Story in Brief
The Centre told the Lok Sabha that no proposal from Karnataka seeking an Environmental Clearance (EC) for diversion of the Mahadayi river is pending before the Union government. Union Minister Kirti Vardhan Singh, replying to a question from Goa MP Captain Viriato Fernandes, said no river diversion project involving the Mahadayi/Mandovi is currently under consideration in the Ministry.
Karnataka officials counter that EC is not required for the Kalasa and Banduri nala projects because they are drinking water schemes, not hydroelectric or irrigation projects. The National Board for Wildlife has not approved Karnataka's use of forest land for the Kalala Nala Diversion Scheme in a tiger corridor. Goa's MP had cited concerns over drinking water security and potential saline ingress.
The Indian Opinion
The Goan MP's question frames Karnataka's Mahadayi plan as an environmental threat, but the Karnataka government's rebuttal has legal weight: drinking water projects are indeed exempt from EC. The real test is not ministerial statements but the pending forest and wildlife clearances, which Karnataka has challenged. Will the National Board for Wildlife's rejection hold up in court, and can the Kaveri-like dispute be resolved before another summer of water wars? The answer lies in the tribunals, not Parliament.
Source: thehindu.com
This story was synthesised by AI from the source linked above.
