The former environment minister said that there are plans to build three cement industries near the park and one has already been built. And there are questions over basic assumptions about excess water. File | Photo Credit: ANI
The Congress said on Wednesday (December 25, 2024) that Prime Minister Narendra Modi would give further evidence of the difference between his “talk and walk” on the environment by laying the foundation stone of the Ken-Betwa river linking project. Serious threat to Panna Tiger Reserve
PM Modi will lay the foundation stone of the first such initiative project under the National River Interlinking Policy at Khajuraho in Madhya Pradesh on Wednesday (December 25, 2024).
Today, the Prime Minister is giving another proof of the difference between his ‘talk’ and ‘walk’ on the issue of environment and forests. The Ken-Betwa river linking project for which he is laying the foundation stone today has seriously threatened Madhya Pradesh’s biodiversity-rich Emerald Tiger Reserve,” Congress general secretary in charge of communications Jairam Ramesh said in a post on X.
“Panna is one of the most remarkable recovery success stories since its tiger population was completely wiped out in early 2009. Thanks to a tiger reintroduction program launched 15 years ago, India’s first, Panna currently has over 90 tigers, cubs and sub-adults. including, and thriving with sustainable tourism-based livelihoods,” said the former environment minister.
He said, ‘This project has submerged more than 10 percent of the tiger reserve.
“Not only the prime habitat of tigers – other species like vultures will also be destroyed. Ecosystems will be fragmented. More than 2.3 million trees will be felled. Construction work will be seriously hampered,” he said.
Ramesh said that there are plans to build three cement factories near the park and one has already been put into operation. And there are questions over basic assumptions about excess water.
“Unfortunately, there are options to implement the project without causing such extensive ecological damage (such as at a site above the dam),” the Congress leader said.
Under the project, a 77 meter high and 2.13 km long Daudhan Dam and two tunnels (upper level 1.9 km and lower level 1.1 km) will be constructed on the Ken River in the Panna Tiger Reserve.
published – December 25, 2024 at 11:25 am IST