Parbati-Kalisindh-Chambal-Eastern Rajasthan Canal Project will submerge 37 sq km of the Ranthambhore Tiger Reserve, effectively splitting it into two sections, raising ecological concerns.
About PKC-ERCP
- The PKC-ERCP, a flagship river-linking irrigation project, aims to provide water for irrigation, drinking, and industrial purposes to 23 districts in Rajasthan.
- The Modified Parbati-Kalisindh-Chambal-ERCP (PKC-ERCP) Link Project is an inter-state project between Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan that integrated the PKC link with the Eastern Rajasthan Canal Project (ERCP).
- Eastern Rajasthan Canal Project (ERCP) envisages intra-basin transfer of water within the Chambal Basin by utilising surplus monsoon water available in Kalisindh, Parvati, Mej and Chakan sub-basins and diverting it into water deficit sub-basins of Banas, Gambhiri, Banganga and Parbati to provide drinking and industrial water to 13 districts of eastern Rajasthan.
- Objective: Channel surplus water from the Chambal river basin to benefit 3.45 crore people in Rajasthan.
- Scale of Submergence:
- Of the total 408.86 sq km submergence area in Rajasthan, 227 sq km will be under the reservoir of a proposed dam on the Banas river.
- This includes 37.03 sq km from the Ranthambhore National Park and Keladevi Wildlife Sanctuary.
- Infrastructure:
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- The largest dam under the project is a 39-m-high and 1.6-km-long dam near Doongri village, 30 km from Sawai Madhopur.
- Phase One includes construction of the Doongri dam, five barrages (Ramgarh, Mahalpur, Navnera, Mej, Rathod), and a water conductor system.
- Timeline: The first phase is scheduled for completion by 2028.
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Concerns Regarding the Project
- Impact on Tiger Reserve: The submergence will fragment the Ranthambhore Tiger Reserve, home to 57 tigers, affecting their habitat connectivity and biological carrying capacity.
- High-Value Forests: Conservationists stress avoiding high-value forest areas, suggesting compensatory measures like notifying double the submerged area as forest land.
- Ecological Challenges: The dam’s submergence zone will disrupt the north-south dispersal routes of wildlife, raising concerns over long-term habitat sustainability.
About Ranthambhore Tiger Reserve
- Location: Situated at the junction of the Aravalis and Vindhyan ranges in Rajasthan.
- Composition: It includes Ranthambhore National Park, Sawai Mansingh Wildlife Sanctuary, and Keladevi Wildlife Sanctuary.
- Rivers: Drained by the Chambal river in the south and the Banas river in the north.
- Ecology:
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- Features tropical dry deciduous forests, dominated by grasslands and drought-resistant Dhok trees.
- Hosts diverse fauna, including tigers, leopards, and sloth bears.
Significance of PKC-ERCP
- Economic Benefits: Provides water for irrigation, drinking, and industrial use across 23 districts in Rajasthan, benefiting 3.45 crore people.
- Supports water supply to Malwa and Chambal regions of Madhya Pradesh.
- Strategic Importance: Enhances agricultural productivity and addresses water scarcity issues in drought-prone regions.
- Development Potential: Includes renovation of the Isarda dam and construction of additional dams in Madhya Pradesh, such as the Kumbhraj dam on Parbati.
Environmental Concerns
- Wildlife Impact: Submergence will reduce the habitat area for tigers and other species in the reserve.
- Potential water shortages during summers could stress the reserve further.
- Recommendations: Conservationists suggest compensatory forest land adjacent to the reserve or creating buffer zones to mitigate damage.
Way Forward
- Ecological Assessments: Conduct detailed studies on the environmental impact of the submergence.
- Avoid High-Value Forests: Design dams and infrastructure to minimize impacts on critical tiger habitats.
- Compensatory Measures: Implement compensatory afforestation or notify additional forest areas.
- Stakeholder Collaboration: Engage local communities, wildlife experts, and policymakers for sustainable implementation.
- Strict Monitoring: Regular monitoring of the project’s ecological and socio-economic effects to ensure balance between development and conservation.
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About Chambal River Basin
- Location and Origin:
- Originates from the Singar Chouri peak in the Vindhya mountains (Mhow, Indore, Madhya Pradesh).
 It flows through Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh before merging with the Yamuna River in Etawah district.
- River Course and Tributaries:
- Total length: 960 km.
- Tributaries: Parbati, Kali Sindh, Banas.
- Geography:
- Covers 31,239 sq. km in Rajasthan, with semi-arid to sub-humid climatic conditions.
- Topography includes hills, plateaus, ravines, and plains with elevations ranging from 111 m to 605 m.
- Vegetation: Dry Deciduous Forest and sparse xerophytic vegetation dominates the region.
- Significance:
- It houses the National Chambal Sanctuary, protecting endangered species like gharial, red-crowned roof turtle, and Ganges river dolphin.
- Supports agriculture and power generation with major dams: Gandhi Sagar, Rana Pratap Sagar, Jawahar Sagar, and Kota Barrage.
- Provides water for irrigation and drinking purposes.
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Additional Reading: River Interlinking Projects
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