The Parbati-Kalisindh-Chambal-Eastern Rajasthan Canal Project (PKC-ERCP) aims to improve irrigation in Rajasthan
The Parbati-Kalisindh-Chambal-Eastern Rajasthan Canal Project (PKC-ERCP) aims to improve irrigation in Rajasthan, but it also raises concerns about its impact on the Ranthambhore tiger reserve.
Here's a simplified explanation:
What is the PKC-ERCP? A project to bring water to 23 districts in Rajasthan for irrigation, drinking, and industrial use. It involves channeling extra water from the Chambal river basin.
What is the main environmental concern? The project will flood part of the Ranthambhore tiger reserve, which is home to 57 tigers and other wildlife.
How much land will be affected? 408.86 square kilometers will be submerged, including 37 square kilometers of the tiger reserve.
What is the Doongri dam? A key part of the project. It will be:
- 39 meters high.
- 1.6 kilometers long.
- Located on the Banas river, near Doongri, about 30 km from Sawai Madhopur.
What are the specific environmental concerns?
- Loss of habitat for wildlife.
- Disruption of animal migration routes (especially a north-south route within the reserve).
- Reduced carrying capacity of the tiger reserve (the number of animals it can support).
What is the government's response?
- The Detailed Project Report (DPR) will be reviewed by multiple agencies.
- They will try to minimize the impact on the tiger reserve.
- If some impact is unavoidable, they will implement "compensatory measures" (like creating new protected areas).
What is the history of the project?
- The Eastern Rajasthan Canal Project was first planned in 2017.
- It was later expanded to include the PKC initiative.
- Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and the central government have signed an agreement for the revised project.
What are the next steps?
- Phase One includes building the Doongri dam and five smaller dams (barrages).
- The goal is to complete Phase One by 2028.
- They will continue to assess the project's environmental impact.
Key Facts:
- Ranthambhore was declared a tiger reserve in 1974.
- The PKC-ERCP will affect 23 districts in Rajasthan.
- There are 57 tigers in the Ranthambhore tiger reserve.
What are some recommended conservation strategies?
- If land is flooded, new land should be protected to make up for the loss.
- The focus should be on protecting the most important parts of wildlife sanctuaries.
- Future projects should avoid damaging valuable forests.
In simple terms: A project to bring more water to Rajasthan is raising concerns because it will flood part of a tiger reserve. While the project is intended to help people, it could harm wildlife. The government says it will try to minimize the damage, but environmental experts are calling for careful planning to protect the tiger reserve