Mahadayi River

Why in News?

• The Karnataka government recently received clearance from the Central government for two Detailed Project Reports (DPR) on the Kalasa-Banduri water diversion project on the Mahadayi River.

About Mahadayi River:

• Origin: Mahadayi river 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, Andher Nala.

What is the 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 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. 
• The project was proposed by the Karnataka Government in the 1980s, but faced opposition from the state of Goa.

Q1) Where is Bhimgad Wildlife Sanctuary?

Bhimgad Wildlife Sanctuary is located in Khanapur taluk, Karnataka-Goa border in Belagavi district, and is spread over an area of around 190 sq km.

Source: Goa seeks early Supreme Court hearing on river water dispute with Karnataka