Protests Erupt Over India's Controversial River-Linking Project

The Ken-Betwa river-linking project, which aims to channel water from Madhya Pradesh to Uttar Pradesh, has ignited massive protests among locals who fear displacement and environmental damage. Thousands, primarily from indigenous communities, voice their concerns about the project's impact on their homes and the surrounding ecosystem.

Thousands of villagers in central India's Madhya Pradesh have taken to the streets in protest of a multi-billion dollar river-linking project they believe threatens their homes and livelihoods. The Ken-Betwa project, budgeted at 440 billion rupees (approximately $5.06 billion), aims to divert water from the Ken River to the Betwa River through a series of tunnels, canals, and a dam.

This initiative is part of India’s National Perspective Plan, which has outlined 16 such projects since the 1980s, but has faced delays over environmental and political issues. Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone for the Ken-Betwa project in December, claiming it would benefit the drought-affected Bundelkhand region, where the unreliable climate has led to prolonged poverty and underdevelopment. Officials have estimated that its completion in 2030 will irrigate over one million hectares of farmland, provide drinking water for 6.2 million people, and generate 130 megawatts (MW) of energy.

However, the project poses severe risks, including the submersion of at least 21 villages and vast areas of forest land, impacting more than 7,000 families. Protesters, predominantly from indigenous Gond and Kol tribes, express their worries over the future of their homes and livelihoods. “Our lives are connected to this land. We don’t know what comes next for us,” stated Tulsi Adivasi, one of the many affected villagers.

Environmentalists are raising alarms about the project’s impact on the Panna Tiger Reserve, a protected area that had celebrated the revival of its tiger population. The project threatens to submerge approximately 98 square kilometers of this national park, putting years of conservation efforts at risk. Experts have also criticized the project's economic viability and entire approach to river-linking, pointing to independent research that indicates such initiatives may exacerbate water stress across the country.

Despite assurances from officials that environmental clearances have been secured and mitigation plans are in place, villagers remain skeptical and angry. Many are singing protest songs to voice their despair, highlighting the disparity they experience as the project appears to favor districts beyond their own, while local infrastructure continues to languish.

The government has proposed a compensation plan for relocation, offering either a piece of land and a cash payment or a lump-sum payout, which many villagers feel is inadequate given the value of their residences. They report feeling anxious and uncertain about the resettlement process and are frustrated by the lack of communication regarding their futures.

Critics of the project argue that the government relies on outdated data to justify the river's capacity for water diversion, casting further doubt on the project's execution. Environmentalists warn that proceeding with this project sets a problematic precedent for development in ecologically sensitive areas, emphasizing that marginalized communities often bear the brunt of such undertakings. The unfolding situation underscores the tension between development aspirations and environmental stewardship in India.