Foundation stone laidfor Ken-Betwa River Linking Project

Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone for the Ken-Betwa River Linking Project on December 25, 2024.

This project aims to transfer water from the Ken River to the Betwa River, both tributaries of the Yamuna, to address water scarcity and enhance irrigation in the drought-prone Bundelkhand region.

Controversy: Opposition: 

Environmentalists and political leaders have raised concerns about the ecological impact and the potential alternatives that could minimize damage.

Key Details: 

 Project Overview: Components: Includes the construction of the Daudhan Dam, two tunnels, and a 221-km canal.

Phases: 

The project will be implemented in two phases, with Phase I involving the Daudhan Dam and Phase II including the Lower Orr Dam, Bina Complex Project, and Kotha Barrage.

Benefits: Irrigation:

 Expected to provide irrigation to over 10.62 lakh hectares of land. Drinking Water: Will supply drinking water to about 62 lakh people. Power Generation: Will generate 103 MW of hydropower and 27 MW of solar power.

Flora and Fauna: 

The reserve is home to a variety of wildlife, including Bengal tigers, Indian leopards, chital, chinkara, nilgai, Sambar deer, and sloth bears. It also hosts over 200 species of birds.

Conservation Success: 

Panna Tiger Reserve is a success story of tiger conservation. The reserve had lost all its tigers by 2009 due to poaching, but a successful tiger reintroduction program has since restored the tiger population.