08-06-2021 | 15:26 PM
Mekedatu Dam [Environment & Wildlife]
• Recently, the Karnataka government has decided to challenge before the National Green Tribunal (NGT) its decision to appoint a joint committee.
• The joint committee is supposed to look into allegations of unauthorized construction activity taking place in Mekedatu, where Karnataka had proposed to construct a dam across the Cauvery.
Key Highlights:
• The NGT also directed the joint committee to assess the damage caused to the environment in case of any construction made and determine the compensation payable by the respective authorities who are responsible.
• If the project is to be implemented without conducting any Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) study and without obtaining necessary clearance, if any required, then it will be an unauthorized act affecting the environment.
• Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is a process of evaluating the likely environmental impacts of a proposed project or development, taking into account inter-related socio-economic, cultural and human-health impacts, both beneficial and adverse.
About Mekedatu Dam
• The Mekedatu dam is being constructed by the Karnataka government across the Cauvery River.
• The proposal is aimed at providing drinking water facilities to Bengaluru Metropolitan region and its surrounding areas (4.75 TMC) and generate 400 MW of power as an additional benefit.
• The project cost is estimated at Rs 9,000 crore.
