‘We don’t want to leave’: why Adivasis are resisting the Ken-Betwa river link
Currently, affected villagers who were 18 years or older in February 2024 are eligible to receive Rs 12.5 lakh in compensation and Rs 5 lakh per acre of acquired land. However, the villagers say, ‘We want a forest for our forest, land for our land, water for our water, and a village for our village’
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Context
The construction of the Daudhan dam, a key component of the (KBLP), is displacing Adivasi communities in Madhya Pradesh's Bundelkhand region. The villagers are resisting relocation, highlighting the profound cultural, social, and psychological impacts of displacement, as well as the loss of their traditional way of life and linguistic heritage.
UPSC Perspectives
Environmental
The is the first major initiative under the for interlinking of rivers. It aims to transfer surplus water from the Ken basin in Madhya Pradesh to the deficit Betwa basin, primarily to irrigate the drought-prone Bundelkhand region spread across MP and Uttar Pradesh. However, this ecological intervention carries significant costs. The construction of the Daudhan Dam will submerge a substantial portion of the (PTR), a critical habitat for the Bengal Tiger and vultures. UPSC aspirants must analyze the ecological trade-offs involved in large infrastructure projects. While the project promises irrigation and drinking water benefits (addressing regional water scarcity), it disrupts local ecosystems, fragments wildlife corridors, and necessitates compensatory afforestation which often fails to replicate complex, mature forest ecosystems. The environmental clearance process and the role of bodies like the (NBWL) in such projects are highly relevant for Prelims and Mains.
Social
The displacement of Adivasi communities for developmental projects brings the issue of involuntary displacement and Rehabilitation and Resettlement (R&R) to the forefront. The article poignantly captures the loss of social cohesion ('Who will we call kaka in the new place?') and cultural identity, elements often ignored in monetary compensation models. This links directly to the (LARR Act). Aspirants must evaluate whether the R&R policies adequately address the socio-cultural dislocation of indigenous groups whose lives and livelihoods are deeply intertwined with their natural environment. The potential violation of constitutional safeguards for Scheduled Tribes, specifically under the and the (FRA), must be scrutinized. The FRA aims to recognize the rights of forest-dwelling tribal communities, and any relocation from critical tiger habitats requires their free, prior, and informed consent (FPIC).
Geographical
From a geographical perspective, the KBLP necessitates an understanding of river basins, drainage patterns, and regional disparities. The Ken and Betwa rivers are both tributaries of the Yamuna River, originating in the Vindhya Range. The project attempts to engineer a solution to spatial inequality in water availability, transferring water from a perceived 'surplus' basin to a 'deficit' one. UPSC frequently tests the geographical locations of these rivers, the states involved (MP and UP), and the specific regions benefiting (Bundelkhand). Furthermore, the concept of inter-basin water transfer requires critical analysis. While it aims to mitigate droughts and boost agricultural productivity, critics argue it ignores the complex hydrology of river basins and the long-term ecological consequences of altering natural flow regimes. Understanding the topography, climate, and socio-economic conditions of the Bundelkhand region is crucial for evaluating the project's justification and potential impact.