MAHADAYI RIVER (Syllabus: GS Paper 1 – Geography)

Context: Environmental concerns and tiger conservation claims complicate Goa-Karnataka tensions over the Kalasa-Banduri project, triggered by a central body's inspection of the Mahadayi basin.

Mahadayi River

• Origin and Name: Mahadayi or Mhadei, originating in Bhimgad Wildlife Sanctuary in Karnataka, is a significant west-flowing river.
• Rain-fed Nature: It is primarily rain-fed and is known as Mandovi once it reaches Goa.
• Formation of Mandovi: In Goa, Mahadayi is formed by the confluence of several streams, including the Zuari river, making it one of Goa's major rivers.
• Course: The river flows 35 km through Karnataka and 82 km through Goa before emptying into the Arabian Sea.

Kalasa-Banduri Nala Project

• Project Objective: Undertaken by Karnataka, the project aims to enhance drinking water supply to Belagavi, Dharwad, and Gadag districts.
• Water Diversion: It involves constructing dams on Kalasa and Banduri tributaries to divert water to the Malaprabha river.
• Beneficiary Districts: The Malaprabha river supplies drinking water to Dharwad, Belgaum, and Gadag districts.
• Controversy and Resolution: Initially planned in 1989, the project faced objections from Goa, leading to the establishment of the Mahadayi Water Disputes Tribunal in 2010.
• Tribunal Involvement: Goa, Karnataka, and Maharashtra are all parties involved in the tribunal to resolve disputes over Mahadayi river water sharing.