The Biju Janata Dal (BJD) has intensified its opposition to the Polavaram Project, highlighting its potential adverse effects on tribal communities in Odisha’s Malkangiri district.
About the Polavaram Project
- The Polavaram Irrigation Project is being built on the Godavari River.
- It has been accorded national project status by the union government in 2014.
- It was conceived as part of the Godavari Water Disputes Tribunal (GWDT) recommendations and declared a national project under the Andhra Pradesh State Reorganization Act, 2014.
- Initially agreed upon in an interstate agreement (1980) between Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and Odisha, the project is being executed by Andhra Pradesh.
- The Reservoir also spreads to Telangana, Odisha, and Chhattisgarh.
- The Union government has allocated ₹15,000 crore for its completion in the 2024 budget.
- Purpose: To provide irrigation benefits, generate hydropower, and support interlinking of rivers for water distribution.
- Displacement of Konda Reddis and Koya Tribes: The Konda Reddis (a Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group) and Koya tribes in the Godavari region have been displaced due to the Polavaram Project, are now deprived of their livelihood.
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Criteria for declaring an irrigation project as a National Project in India
- International Projects: Involving water usage dictated by treaties or crucial for national interest.
- Inter-State Projects: Facing delays due to unresolved issues like cost sharing, rehabilitation, or power generation, including river interlinking projects.
- Intra-State Projects:
- Creating new irrigation potential exceeding 2 lakh hectares.
- No water-sharing disputes.
- Established hydrology.
- Extension, Renovation & Modernization (ERM) Projects: Aiming to extend/restore irrigation potential of at least 2 lakh hectares.
Important Note: Meeting these criteria doesn’t automatically guarantee National Project status. It also requires approval of the Advisory Committee on Irrigation, Flood Control and Multipurpose projects of DoWR, RD&GR as per laid down procedure, investment clearance, recommendations by the High Powered Steering Committee, availability of funds as well as Government priorities at that time, etc.
About Konda Reddis
- Geographical Distribution: The Konda Reddi tribe is found in the states of Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Tamil Nadu, and Odisha.
- It is classified as a Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG) and primarily inhabits the banks of the Godavari River in Andhra Pradesh.
- Language: The Konda Reddis speak Telugu with a distinctive accent unique to their community.
- Religion: Their religious beliefs align with Folk Hinduism, characterized by local traditions and the worship of community-level deities.
- Family Structure: The tribe follows a patriarchal and patrilocal family system, where family lineage and residence are centered around male members.
- Housing: The Konda Reddis have developed a unique circular-shaped architecture for their houses.
- These houses, built with circular mud walls and thatched roofs, resemble the Bhunga architecture of Gujarat’s Kachchh region.
About Koya Tribe
- Geographical Distribution: The Koya tribe is a multi-racial and multi-lingual community found in forests, plains, and valleys on both sides of the Godavari River.
- They primarily reside in Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Chhattisgarh, and Odisha.
- Language: The Koya people speak the Koya language, also known as Koyi, which is part of the Dravidian language family.
- It is closely related to Gondi and has significant Telugu influences.
- Festivals: The Koya tribe celebrates the Sammakka Saralamma Jatra, held once every two years on the full moon day of Magha Masam (January or February).
- This festival takes place at Medaram village in Mulug taluk, Warangal district.
- Social Structure: Every Koya individual belongs to one of the five sub-divisions known as gotrams.
- A Koya person is born into a clan, and they remain associated with it for life.
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