New Delhi: The Ken-Betwa River Interlinking Project (KBLP), India’s flagship water transfer initiative under the National Perspective Plan (NPP), is set to result in the felling of more than 17,000 trees in Madhya Pradesh, including over 12,000 trees within the Panna Tiger Reserve, the Ministry of Jal Shakti confirmed in a written reply to the Rajya Sabha on Monday.
The project is currently the only one among the 30 identified under the NPP to have entered the implementation phase.
Massive Environmental Impact on Panna Tiger Reserve
According to Minister of State for Jal Shakti, Raj Bhushan Choudhary, a total of 17,101 trees have been marked for removal to make way for the Daudhan Dam and other associated infrastructure works. Of these, 12,404 trees lie within the ecologically sensitive Panna Tiger Reserve, sparking concerns among environmentalists and conservationists.
However, the ministry maintained that no protests or objections had been recorded by the project authority, district administration, or forest department regarding the tree felling operations.
Displacement of Over 7,000 Families
The minister also revealed that the project is expected to affect 7,193 families, who will be displaced due to land acquisition. He assured that both the Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh governments are handling resettlement as per the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013 (RFCTLARR Act).
A special compensation and rehabilitation package was approved by the Madhya Pradesh government in September 2023 to address the impact on affected communities.
Nearly ₹4,000 Crore Already Spent
Out of a total allocation of ₹4,469.41 crore over the past three years, the Centre has already spent ₹3,969.79 crore on the project. The massive expenditure underscores the high priority status of the Ken-Betwa link in India’s river interlinking vision.
The Ken-Betwa link is the first among the 30 interlinking projects identified under the NPP to break ground. So far, detailed project reports (DPRs) have been prepared for 11 projects, while others remain at various stages of feasibility and planning.
The Bigger Picture: River Linking and Water Security
The Ken-Betwa link aims to transfer surplus water from the Ken River in Madhya Pradesh to the water-deficient Betwa basin in Uttar Pradesh. While the project promises irrigation, drinking water supply, and hydropower benefits, it has drawn criticism for its potential ecological cost, especially due to its impact on the Panna Tiger Reserve, a critical habitat for India’s endangered big cats.
Environmental groups have repeatedly warned that large-scale deforestation and displacement could disrupt ecosystems and tribal livelihoods unless stringent safeguards are enforced.
