Will decide future course of action once Javdekar sends communication to State: MBA

PANJIM: Under pressure from Goa, Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) Prakash Javdekar has assured that if Karnataka indulges in impounding of even 01tmc of water by constructing the dam for its Kalsa-Banduri drinking water project then the Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) Notification 2006 would be made applicable.

The assurance was given to all-party delegation led by Chief Minister Pramod Sawant that called on Javdekar on Monday seeking immediate withdrawal of the consent granted to Karnataka’s Kalsa-Banduri project. The delegation also included members of Mhadei Bachao Abhiyan (MBA). 

Speaking to HERALD, MBA convenor Rajendra Kerkar, who was part of the delegation, said that Ministry has kept Kalsa-Banduri project out of EIA Notification 2006 stating that the “instant project is purely a drinking water supply scheme”. “However, we brought to the notice of the Minister that this is unrealistic as the project falls within the ecologically sensitive areas,” he said. 

“After much discussion and deliberation, Union Minister assured that if Karnataka indulges in impounding of even 01tmc of water by constructing dam for its drinking water project then the EIA Notification 2006 would be made applicable,” Kerkar added. 

MoEF&CC director Dr S Kerketta in the Ministry’s  communication to the Chief Engineer of Kalsa-Banduri Drinking Water Project, last month, had said that “the proposal was deliberated in the Ministry and noted that instant project does not proposes any hydroelectric power generation component nor any irrigation component and thus has no command are. It is noted that the instant project is purely a drinking water supply scheme and does not attract the provisions of EIA notification 2006 and its subsequent amendments.” 

The Kalsa-Banduri drinking water supply scheme involves diversion of west flowing streams in Mhadei basin to water deficit Malaprabha basin by construction of three diversion dams across Haltara nullah, Kalsa nullah and Bhandura nullah. 

Further speaking about MBA future course of action, Kerkar said that they will wait for Javdekar’s communication to the State government, which is expected within nine days as promised. “Based on that, we will decide on our future action. Simultaneously, we will also explore possibilities of legal battle,” he said.