Karnataka State Board of Wildlife approves Kalasa Nala Scheme for drinking water supply

The Karnataka State Board of Wildlife has granted approval for the use of forest land for the implementation of the Kalasa Nala Scheme. This project, initiated by the Government of Karnataka, aims to enhance the provision of drinking water to the districts of Belgavi, Bagalkot, Dharwad, and Gadag. The scheme involves the diversion of water from one river to another to meet the drinking water needs of the aforementioned districts. The project had been stalled for the past four years.
To achieve this goal, the project includes the construction of dams and a canal system that will redirect water from the Mahadayi River in Goa to the Malaprabha River in Karnataka. The designated area for this drinking water project spans 67.146 hectares of wildlife habitat.
The Karnataka government has decided to build a dam and divert the waters of Kalasa, Surla, and Haltara nullahs, which naturally flow into the Mahadayi River. Additionally, a canal will be constructed to connect Jackwell and Kalasa, with motorized pumps connected to a power supply line for water pumping.
The Central Water Commission has approved the construction of a diversion dam across the Kalasa nullah, including its erection, testing, and commissioning. Given the project's proximity to a wildlife sanctuary and its status as an ecologically sensitive area, the Chief Wildlife Warden of the Karnataka Forest Department was required to provide recommendations and mitigation measures. To reduce the need for forest land, underground transmission lines are being considered instead of overhead lines.
Initially, the government had planned to divert 33.05 hectares of forest land in Kankumbi and areas in Khanapur taluk in the Belgavi District for the construction of the diversion weir, jackwell, pump house, electrical substation, pipeline, and power line. However, a new proposal has reduced the forest land diversion to 26.9 hectares from the initial 33.05 hectares. As the water will be directed to the Malaprabha dam, which serves multiple purposes, including irrigation and drinking water supply, environmental clearance is required.
The Kalasa project is expected to be completed within a year, as per the tender. Given that it involves two different states, Goa and Karnataka, all necessary approvals and permissions must be obtained from both ends to complete the drinking water project. Although the Central Water Commission has granted approval at all project stages, the Supreme Court will hear Goa's petition regarding Karnataka's access to water for the Kalasa Nala Scheme. The Supreme Court has mandated that Karnataka can proceed with construction only after obtaining all the necessary permissions to complete the work. Once completed, this construction will address the drinking water challenges in the State of Karnataka.

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Karnataka State Board of Wildlife approves Kalasa Nala Scheme for drinking water supply

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