Context:
As Assembly elections in Madhya Pradesh is nearby Government is pushing Ken-Betwa Link Project (KBLP) to secure the final forest clearance, six years after it got the provisional nod.
- In 2021, Union Cabinet approved the implementation of KBLP – 1st interlinking of rivers project under National Perspective Plan (NPP).
About Ken-Betwa Link Project (KBLP):
- Aim – To transfer surplus water from the Ken river in MP to Betwa in UP to irrigate the drought-prone Bundelkhand region.
- Bundelkhand – A drought-prone region, which spreads across 13 districts of Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh.
- 2 phases –
- Phase I: Daudhan Dam complex and its subsidiary units such as Low Level Tunnel, High Level Tunnel, Ken-Betwa Link Canal and power houses.
- Phase II: Lower Orr dam, Bina Complex project, and Kotha Barrage.
- Implementing Agency: Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) – Ken-Betwa Link Project Authority (KBLPA) set up by National Interlinking of Rivers Authority (NIRA)
About Ken and Betwa Rivers:
- Origin of Ken – Barner Range (Bundelkhand region)
- Origin of Betwa – Vindhya Range
- Both the rivers are the tributaries of Yamuna.
- Ken meets with Yamuna in Banda district of UP and with Betwa in Hamirpur district of UP.
- Rajghat, Paricha and Matatila dams are over Betwa river.
- Ken River passes through Panna tiger reserve.
Panna Tiger Reserve:
- National park was declared under Project Tiger Reserve in the year 1994.
- Location: Madhya Pradesh
- UNESCO designated the Panna Tiger Reserve as a Biosphere Reserve in 2011.
- Madhya Pradesh is considered as world’s Tiger Capital.
National Perspective Plan:
- National River Linking Project (NRLP) formally known as the National Perspective Plan
- Formulated by – then Ministry of Irrigation (now Ministry of Jal Shakti)
- It envisages the transfer of water from water ‘surplus’ basins where there is flooding, to water ‘deficit’ basins where there is drought/scarcity, through inter-basin water transfer projects.
- Under NPP, the National Water Development Agency (NWDA), has identified 30 links (16 under the Peninsular Component and 14 under the Himalayan Component) for the preparation of feasibility reports (FRs).
Source: Indian Express
Previous Year Question
Consider the following statements:
1. Jhelum River passes through Wular Lake.
2. Krishna River directly feeds Kolleru Lake.
3. Meandering of the Gandak River formed Kanwar Lake.
How many of the statements given above are correct?
[UPSC Civil Services Exam – 2023 Prelims]
(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) All three
(d) None
Answer: (b)
Explanation:
Kolleru Lake is fed directly by the seasonal Budameru and Tammileru rivers. Hence, Statement 2 is not correct. [There can be changes after release of UPSC official answer key]
