Latest news with #KalasaBanduriNala
Time of India
3 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
45 yrs on, Kalasa-Banduri remains distant dream for farmers
Dharwad: It has been 45 years since the farmers in Nargund and Navalgund taluks launched a fierce agitation for fulfilment of their demands but the issues for which they were agitating remain unsolved. It was on July 21, 1980 that four people, two farmers and two policemen, died in the agitation that turned violent and led to police firing at Nargund and Navalgund which were then in Dharwad district. Every year, July 21 is observed as Farmer Martyrs' Day, and farmers' leaders and leaders of political parties have made it customary to garland the Martyr Memorials and pay tributes to the farmers who have lost their lives. The occasion has also provided an opportunity to the opposition parties to attack the ruling party for "neglecting the farmers" while for the ruling party it has been an occasion to reiterate its commitment to the cause of farmers. In 1980, the farmers had revolted against the government protesting forcible collection of betterment levy at a time when they were reeling under severe drought. Their argument was that the benefits of the Malaprabha irrigation project had not reached majority of the farmers due to faulty planning and collection of levies from the non-beneficiaries was unjustified. The agitation had also paved the way for the first non-Congress government in Karnataka with Ramakrishna Hegde-led Janata Party taking over the reins. Karnataka decided to implement a project to divert its share of Mahadayi River water to Malaprabha River through Kalasa-Banduri Nala project to overcome the water woes and it has faced several legal hurdles with riparian states Goa and Maharashtra raising objections. What is the project The Kalasa Banduri Nala project envisages diverting water from Kalasa, Banduri, Halatar, Chorla, Potla, Korla and Gurki streams to Malaprabha and provide irrigation and supply of drinking water to Savadatti, Ramadurg taluks on Belgaum district, Navalgund in Dharwad district, Ron and Naragund in Gadag district and Badami in Bagalkot district. The water from Kalasa Banduri nalas flows into River Mahadayi which takes birth near Kanakumbi village in Khanapur taluk of Belagavi district in Karnataka. After flowing for 29km in Karnataka, it enters Goa where it is called Mandovi. After flowing across 54km in Goa territory, the river joins Arabian Sea. Solution soon Mahadayi Water Disputes Tribunal has given its verdict on sharing of Mahadayi water but it has been challenged by both Goa and Karnataka. Union minister Pralhad Joshi told TOI that the Goa Wildlife Board has issued an order not to take up any work on diverting Mahadayi water to Malaprabha and Karnataka has challenged this in Supreme Court. Legal experts have advised Karnataka to withdraw the petition filed in SC and challenge Goa Wildlife Board's order in High Court and get it quashed. "We will get the things cleared soon and ensure that the work on Kalasa-Banduri Project resumes," Joshi said.
The Hindu
11-06-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Dharwad farmers seek early implementation of Kalasa Banduri Nala project
Score of farmers and representatives of various organisations took out a huge protest march under the aegis of Mahadayi Maha Vedike in Dharwad on June 10 seeking early clearance of hurdles for Kalasa Banduri Nala project and early implementation of the project in Karnataka. The farmers marched from Kalabhavan in Dharwad to the office of the Deputy Commissioner in Dharwad. They allege that some vested interests are trying to stop the project, which is meant for providing drinking water to people. Farmers from nine taluks in four districts tookl part in the protest march that was led by Vedike president Shankranna Ambali, B.M. Hanasi, Rajashekhar Menasinakai, Srishailgouda Kamatar, Laxman Bakkai, and Babajan Mudhol. The leaders demanded that both the Union and State governments immediately take measures to resolve pending issues and give all clearances to the project so that the work could be taken up. The farmers warned that they would be forced to intensify the agitation if their long-pending demand was not met. They submitted a memorandum in this regard to the district authorities.
The Hindu
28-05-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Protest rally against Mahadayi basin projects in Belagavi on June 3
A protest rally will be held by members of various organisations in Belagavi on June 3 to oppose plans of the government of Karnataka to take up irrigation projects in the Mahadayi river basin. The rally will begin at Sardar's High School Ground and end at the Deputy Commissioner's office. Environmentalists like Sagar Dhara, S.R. Hiremath, Suresh Heblikar, and Shivaji Kagnikar are expected to participate. This was announced in a meeting in Belagavi on May 27. Environmentalists, farmers and leaders of various organisations launched the 'Our Water Our Right' campaign, and vowed to fight against projects that had the potential to damage the fragile ecosystem of the Western Ghats. Dilip Kamath, activist, spoke in detail about the possible negative impact of the Mahadayi basin projects on the Western Ghats in Belagavi. He said the extensive deforestation and submergence of forests in the Khanapur region could dry up the two rivers — Malaprabha and Mahadayi — and lead to the disastrous effect of desertification of northern Karnataka. Citing from the Gadgil Report and Kasturi Rangan Reports, he said that unchecked non-forest activities in the Western Ghats could threaten the existence of these forests that were considered ecological hot spots. 'The two reports had advised against deforestation and projects that could damage the forests. The reports were meticulously prepared and had documented the trees and wildlife in the region. They had called for concerted efforts to protect the biodiversity of the Western Ghats, including the Khanapur forests that are part of the region,' he said. 'The report highlighted the biodiversity of the Western Ghats and the immense benefits it brings to the country, providing a detailed report on the protection of the Western Ghats. However, the Kalasa Banduri Nala projects could damage the ecology of the Western Ghats. Therefore, everyone needs to join hands for the survival of the Western Ghats by abandoning the Kalasa Banduri project,' Mr. Kamat said. Sujit Mulgund, a social activist, said that unscientific projects had diverted water away from Belagavi to other districts. Drinking water from the Malaprabha river is being supplied from Belagavi district to Hubballi-Dharwad cities, and new projects are being planned to divert Ghataprabha water from Hidkal dam to Dharwad industrial area. 'But then, farmers in Bagalkot and Ramdurg taluks are using water from the Malaprabha reservoir to grow two crops, while farmers in Navalgund, Nargund, and Dharwad are using this water for more than two crops. The amount of water used from the Malaprabha reservoir has now increased, with claims that the downstream population has increased. But the water is being misused for non-native water guzzling crops,' he said. Shashikant Nayak, former minister and farmers' leader, said that the government of Karnataka had allowed industries in Dharwad to take water from Hidkal dam, without taking the farmers of Belagavi into confidence. 'This could lead to a shortage of drinking water in the Belagavi area,' he said. He said farmers would strongly oppose the Mahadayi river water diversion project and fight till it was abandoned, as it could harm the Western Ghats. Captain Nitin Dhond, environmentalist, said studies by IISc scientists and researchers from the Norway Institute for Water Research had highlighted the serious negative impact of the Mahadayi river basin projects. He said it could affect the Malaprabha river, the Western Ghats, the Bhimgad wildlife sanctuary and the Mahadayi river. Advocate Nitin Bolbandi, farmer leader Chunappa Poojeri, Sidagouda Modagi, Mallesh Chougale, Nyla Coelo, Geeta Sahu, Neeta Potdar, Sunita Patil, Colonel Ravindra Saini, ISKCON representatives, environmentalists, farmer leaders, and Dalit leaders were present.
