By Satish Malviya
Large portions of the ‘perennial’ Betwa river in Madhya Pradesh are bone dry due to over exploitation of the groundwater and the river. Poor villagers living along its banks trek long distances to fetch drinking water while rich tubewell owners sell aquifer waters. Will the Ken-Betwa link project solve the region’s water crisis? A ground report.
Large portions of the ‘perennial’ Betwa river in Madhya Pradesh are bone dry due to over exploitation of the groundwater and the river. Poor villagers living along its banks trek long distances to fetch drinking water while rich tubewell owners sell aquifer waters. Will the Ken-Betwa link project solve the region’s water crisis? A ground report.
By Arun Singh
Hundreds of tribal families in Bilhata, Katahari and Koni villages inside the Panna Tiger Reserve in Madhya Pradesh are dependent on jhiriya, a local water source, to meet their water needs. Adivasi women trek several kilometres each day through the thick jungles and climb down steep hillsides to collect water from the jhiriya. Forest officials say that these villages need to be relocated due to the Ken-Betwa Link Project.
Hundreds of tribal families in Bilhata, Katahari and Koni villages inside the Panna Tiger Reserve in Madhya Pradesh are dependent on jhiriya, a local water source, to meet their water needs. Adivasi women trek several kilometres each day through the thick jungles and climb down steep hillsides to collect water from the jhiriya. Forest officials say that these villages need to be relocated due to the Ken-Betwa Link Project.
By Arun Singh
There are several historical sites in Madhya Pradesh's Panna Tiger Reserve where painted rocks depicting the life and times of Gond adivasis are found. Despite being declared as monuments of national importance in 1990, little has been done to preserve the prehistoric heritage. Details here.
There are several historical sites in Madhya Pradesh's Panna Tiger Reserve where painted rocks depicting the life and times of Gond adivasis are found. Despite being declared as monuments of national importance in 1990, little has been done to preserve the prehistoric heritage. Details here.
By Arun Singh
The recent death of a two-year-old male tiger in the Panna Tiger Reserve, the most critical tiger habitat in the country, raises hard hitting questions. Is the reserve running out of space for the growing number of tigers? And, what happens if the Ken-Betwa river linking project submerges a major portion of the core area of the Tiger Reserve?
The recent death of a two-year-old male tiger in the Panna Tiger Reserve, the most critical tiger habitat in the country, raises hard hitting questions. Is the reserve running out of space for the growing number of tigers? And, what happens if the Ken-Betwa river linking project submerges a major portion of the core area of the Tiger Reserve?