Kalasa-Banduri Project

About Kalasa-Banduri Project

• The project involves the construction of dams and a canal system to divert water from the Mahadayi River, located in Goa, to the Malaprabha River (a tributary of the Krishna River) basin in Karnataka.
• The main goal of the project is to meet the drinking water needs of the districts of Belagavi, Dharwad, Bagalkot, and Gadag in Karnataka.
• 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.

Key facts about Mahadayi River

• Origin: It rises in the Western Ghats from the Bhimgad Wildlife Sanctuary in Khanapur taluk of Karnataka’s Belagavi district.
• The river travels 35 km in Karnataka, 82 km in Goa before joining the Arabian Sea at Panji (North-Goa).
• Also called Mandovi in Goa, Mahadayi is a rain-fed river that is shared between Karnataka and Goa for their water needs.
• The Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary is located on the island of Chorao in the Mandovi River.
• Major Tributaries: Kalasa Nala, Banduri Nala, Surla Nala, Haltar Nala, Poti Nala, Mahadayi Nala, Pansheer Nala, Bail Nala and Andher Nala.

Q1) What is the National Board for Wildlife (NBWL)?

NBWL is a statutory body as it has been constituted under Section 5 A the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972. It is the apex body to review all wildlife-related matters and approve projects in and around national parks and sanctuaries i.e. Protected Areas. It is a 47-member board (including the chairman) which usually meets once a year. It is chaired by the Prime minister. 

Source: National Wildlife Board defers decision on Karnataka’s Kalasa-Bhanduri project

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