Mekedatu Unauthorised Construction
Source : The Hindu
GS III : Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment
Why in News ?
National Green Tribunal (NGT), Southern Zone has appointed a joint committee to look into allegations of Mekedathu unauthorised construction activity taking place in Mekedatu.
Key Facts
- The Karnataka government had proposed to construct a dam across the Cauvery River.
By Karthik Prabhu – Photo taken during visit to Mekedatu - If the project is to be implemented without conducting any environmental impact assessment study and without obtaining necessary clearance, if any required, then it will be an unauthorised act affecting the environment.
- NGT also directed the joint committee to assess the damage caused to the environment in case of any construction made and determine the compensation payable by the respective authorities who are responsible.
- Principal Chief Conservator of Forest, Department of Forests, State of Karnataka will be the nodal agency for coordination and for providing necessary logistics for this purpose.
- Tamil Nadu has opposed it on the grounds that the project violates the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal award.
About the Mekedatu Project
- The Rs. 9,000 crore project approved by the State government in 2017 has received approval from the Union Water Resources Ministry for the detailed project report and is awaiting approval from the Ministry of Environment and Forests (MOEF).
- 5,051 hectares of forests would be submerged and they included 3,181 hectares in the sanctuary and 1,870 hectares in the reserve forest.
- The approval from MOEF is crucial since 63% of the forest area that will be submerged is in the sanctuary.
- Need for the project ?
- Around 400 megawatts (MW) of power is proposed to be generated through the project.
- Water could be drawn from the reservoir to partially meet the needs of Bengaluru
Why Tamil Nadu is against the project ?
- Karnataka had not sought prior permission for the project.
- Project would affect the flow of Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu.
- Decisions of the Supreme Court and the Cauvery Tribunal are violated due to the construction of the reservoir.
- Supreme Court’s direction, the Centre constituted a Cauvery Water Management Authority (CWMA)
- It will monitor water management on a day-to-day basis, including the water level and inflow and outflow.
About the River – Kaveri/Cauvery
- Indian river flowing through the states of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.
- The river originates in Western Ghats and flows for about 800 km before its outfall into the Bay of Bengal.
- The Kaveri is considered to be one of the seven holy rivers of India.
- The river basin covers three states and 1 Union Territory
- Karnataka, 34,273 square kilometres
- Tamil Nadu, 43,868 square kilometres
- Kerala, 2,866 square kilometres
- Puducherry, 148 square kilometres
- Major Tributaries
- Harangi River
- Hemavati River
- Lakshmana Tirtha
- Amaravathi River
- Bhavani River
- Kabini River
- Noyyal River
National Green Tribunal
- The National Green Tribunal has been established on 2010 under the National Green Tribunal Act 2010.
- NGT mandated to deal with cases relating to environmental protection, conservation of forests and other natural resources.
- Also speedy environmental justice and help reduce the burden of litigation in the higher courts.
- Should dispose applications or appeals finally within 6 months of filing of the same.
- It is a specialized body with expertise to handle environmental disputes involving multi-disciplinary environmental issues.
- The Tribunal shall not be bound by the procedure laid down under the Code of Civil Procedure 1908 but shall be guided by principles of natural justice.
- New Delhi is the Principal Place of Sitting of the Tribunal
- Bhopal, Pune, Kolkata and Chennai shall be the other four place of sitting of the Tribunal.
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