MAHADAYI
ISSUES – RIVER WATER DISPUTE
News:
BJP has resolved the
Mahadayi issue, while Cong. and JD(S) were fooling people: Amit Shah
What's
in the news?
●
The BJP government at the Centre has
resolved the Mahadayi river water issue and cleared the project plan by
Karnataka, which will benefit farmers in several districts.
Kalasa-Banduri
Nala Project:
●
The Kalasa Banduri Nala project aims to divert water from Mahadayi to satisfy the
drinking water needs of Belagavi, Dharwad, Bagalkot and Gadag districts.
Dispute:
●
Though the project was first proposed in
the early 1980s, it has remained on paper owing to a dispute between Karnataka, Goa and Maharashtra. As per
plans, barrages are to be built against Kalasa and Banduri streams -
tributaries of Mahadayi and water diverted towards Karnataka’s parched
districts.
●
The project has been a long-standing
demand of Karnataka residents set to benefit from it. With Assembly elections
due this year, the state government, despite the petitions pending in the SC,
has decided to go ahead with the project, after securing a go-ahead from the
Central Water Commission (CWC).
●
A clearance from the Ministry of
Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF) is still awaited.
Mahadayi
River:
●
Mahadayi originates inside the Bhimgad Wildlife Sanctuary in the Belagavi
district of Karnataka and flows into the Arabian Sea in Goa.
●
The tributaries of Mandovi or Mhadei
include Nerul River, St Inez Creek, Rio de Ourém, Mapusa River, Valvanti River,
Udnai River, Dudhsagar River, Ragada River and Kotrachi Nadi.
●
River Basin Distribution: Karnataka, Goa
and parts of Maharashtra.
Goa's
stake:
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The Mahadayi/Mandovi River is described as
the lifeline of the Indian state of Goa.
●
The Mandovi
and the Zuari are the two primary rivers in the state of Goa.
●
Mandovi joins with the Zuari at a common
creek at Cabo Aguada, forming the Mormugao.
●
Panaji,
the state capital and Old Goa, the former capital of Goa, are both situated on
the left bank of the Mandovi.