National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) has warned that the construction of the Morand-Ganjal Irrigation Project in Madhya Pradesh will submerge forested areas used by tigers to move between reserves. It has warned that the project will destroy a crucial tiger corridor between the Satpura and Melghat Tiger Reserves and pose a threat to other wildlife and biodiversity. It has strongly recommended exploring alternative sites to minimise environmental damage.
About Morand-Ganjal Irrigation Project
- It is a dam-based irrigation initiative located in Madhya Pradesh, India aimed to enhance agricultural productivity in the region.
- Initially proposed in 1972, the project received approval in 2017.
- It involves building two dams on the Morand and Ganjal rivers to improve irrigation in Hoshangabad, Betul, Harda, and Khandwa districts of Madhya Pradesh.
- Impact: According to the project proposal, the construction of the dams and related infrastructure will
- Social: Displace 644 families, including 604 tribal families, who rely on the forest for their livelihood
- Environmental: Over seven lakh trees will also be affected at full reservoir level, with 5.75 lakh trees marked for felling.
- Wildlife: Could destroy a vital tiger corridor between Satpura and Melghat Tiger Reserves, affecting “genetic exchange and population stability”.