Why in News?
- The Karnataka government recently received clearance from the Central government for two Detailed Project Reports (DPR) on the Kalasa-Banduri water diversion project on the Mahadayi River.
About Mahadayi river:
- Origin: Mahadayi river rises in the Western Ghats, from the Bhimgad Wildlife Sanctuary in Khanapur taluk of Karnataka’s Belagavi district.
- The river travels 35 km in Karnataka; 82 km in Goa before joining the Arabian Sea at Panji (North-Goa).
- Also called Mandovi in Goa, Mahadayi is a rain-fed river that is shared between Karnataka and Goa for their water needs.
- The Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary is located on the island of Chorao in the Mandovi river.
- Major Tributaries: Kalasa Nala, Banduri Nala, Surla Nala, Haltar Nala, Poti Nala, Mahadayi Nala, Pansheer Nala, Bail Nala, Andher Nala.
What is the Kalasa-Banduri project?
- The project involves the construction of dams and a canal system to divert water from the Mahadayi River, located in Goa, to the Malaprabha River (a tributary of Krishna river) basin in Karnataka.
- The main goal of the project is to meet the drinking water needs of the districts of Belagavi, Dharwad, Bagalkot, and Gadag in Karnataka.
- The project was proposed by the Karnataka Government in the 1980s, but faced opposition from the state of Goa.
