Mekedatu breeds another storm: Medha Patkar to meet activists, campaign against submergence of forest land

Shilpa P | NT

Mysuru: If the Congress party took up a padayatra to press for early impementation of the Mekedatu balancing resevoir project, social activist Medha Patkar who led the Narmada Bachao Andolan is reportedly planning to oppose the project to safeguard the 5051.40 hectares of forest wealth which will be submerged if it is implemented.

A movement to oppose the project is already taking shape with actor and social activist, Chetan Ahimsa raising concerns regarding the loss of forest wealth. He and several other environmentalists and organizations are coming together under the banner, “Karnataka Nela Jala Parisara Rakshana Samithi” to fight the Mekedatu project with the slogan “#SaveMekedatu, Mekdatu Beku Dam Beda”.

Mr Chetan informed News Trail that Ms Patkar will be coming to Bengaluru, and would be participating in a discussion in this regard on Friday.

According to sources, as per the DPR (Detailed Project Report), the Mekedatu project requires 5252.40 hectares between Kanakapura in Ramanagar district, Kollegal in Chamarajnagar district and Malavalli taluk in Mandya district. As high as 4996 hectares of wild life, forest and revenue land will be submerged, and 256.40 hectares is required for other construction activities.

The land which would be submerged includes 3181.9 hectares of the Cauvery wild life sanctuary , 1869.5 hectares of reserve forest land, and 201 hectares of revenue land. Cauvery wild life reserve is part of Mysore elephant reserve, and it includes Basavanabetta, Chilandwadi and Chavarkal State Forests , Chikkayaldur, Mugguru, Dhanaguru Reserve forests, Bheemeshwari and Galibore fishing camps.

As many as five villages including Madivala, Kongedoddi, Sangama, Bommasandra and Muthathi villages of Kanakapura taluk of Ramanagar district with over 250 houses/buildings will be submerged, where tribal people like the Iruligas reside, sources said.

According to sources, officials of the forest and revenue departments of all three districts, have already identified alternate land for compensatory afforestation (to create forest area), and also for rehabilitating people of these villages, and have submitted the details it to government. Mekedaatu project is awaiting forest and wild life clearance.

The balancing reservoir and drinking water project is proposed to be taken up at a cost of Rs 9000 Crores, near Sangama (confluence of Cauvery and Arkavathi rivers) in Kanakapura taluk in Ramanagar district. The dam with a full reservoir level of 440m would be built with gross capacity to store 67.16 TMC of excess water which flows downstream of Cauvery basin after releasing 177.25 TMC of water to Tamil Nadu as per the final order of the Cauvery water dispute tribunal and after meeting drinking water needs of Bengaluru and surrounding areas. It aims at utilizing 4.75 tmc of water to provide drinking water to Bengaluru metropolitan region and adjoining areas. The project also aims at harnessing 400 MW hydroelectric power annually.