After Ken-Betwa,the proposed Parbati-Kalisindh-Chambal river linking project is the second to run into rough weather with MP withdrawing its assent, writes Vivek Trivedi After the Ken-Betwa river link project which ran into rough weather, now the second such project, the proposed Parbati-Kalisindh-Chambal River linking project has plunged into trouble. The first one inked between Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh had got wedged as the then Union Minister of State for Environment and Forest (MOEF) had vetoed the same by terming it a disastrous idea, while the proposed one has been turned down by Madhya Pradesh. The second MoU for a river-linking project was about to be inked for the Parbati-Kalisindh-Chambal project, but Madhya Pradesh has withdrawn assent for it. The State of MP has said that it is not of the view that it is going to be benefited the proposed river linking exercise. The Parbati-Kalisindh-Chambal project is expected to provide irrigation facilities to 0.155 lakh hectare in MP in areas such as Machalpur, Jirapur, Susner and Garoth. The project would benefit Rajasthan with irrigation facilities for 0.016 lakh hectare area in areas like Pidawa and Piplada. The mega project is also expected to generate additional irrigation potential for the Chambal catchment areas of Bhind, Morena and Gwalior, apart from generating 70 MW of power and drinking water for a population of 4.30 lakh. On the Parbati-Kalisindh-Chambal project, officials point out that the first phase of negotiations between the two states had been virtually smooth as both were then ruled by the BJP. But the hurdles came after the 2008 election brought a Congress Government in Rajasthan. There are different theories making rounds for the sudden U-turn from Madhya Pradesh. Some say that apart from different parties ruling the two neighbouring States, bickering over Chambal water and the Gandhi Sagar dam could well have propelled MP for backing out from this mammoth project. Regarding the Gandhi Sagar dam, MP alleges lack of repair of the canal system by Rajasthan for its tail end farmers not receiving sufficient water for irrigation. The central Indian State also is agitated over the fact a battery of small dams in Rajasthan have been reportedly been constructed by farmers, which is slashing its share in the Chambal waters. Political experts also claim that toeing their respective political lines could also be the reason behind the recent roadblock presented by the MP. The BJP was in power in both the States when the States had struck a tentative deal but now the BJP has lost reign in Rajasthan and tension has brewed between the States over Gandhi Sagar. One of the senior officials from National Water Development Agency (NWDA) accepted that MP has forwarded a missive. The official further said that at the outset, Rajasthan opposed that it would reduce water level in Chambal system of its side, while later the NWDA convinced them through scientific studies. However the second partner State, MP, just backed out recently as soon as Rajasthan agreed, claimed the official, pleading anonymity. However, the agency is still hopeful of starting the project shortly and its officials are planning fresh deliberations with the MP officials. Till date, the only river linking project where an MoU has been inked so far is the Ken-Betwa between UP and MP. The matter is languishing in the Ministry of Forest and Environment over the submergence of some parts of the Panna Tiger Reserve, which had raised several eyebrows. On his maiden visit to Bundelkhand in April this year, the Union Minister of Environment and Forests Jairam Ramesh had opposed the idea of the Ken-Betwa river linking project. Reacting to the first of its kind proposed project in the country, Ramesh branded the idea as a disastrous one and suggested that it should not be pursued. The Minister had said that it would be disastrous to link the two rivers and had affirmed that his Ministry was never going to give a go ahead for the required environmental clearance. The ambitious project, estimated to cost over `9,000 crore, is expected to be included in the 12th Five-Year Plan, starting April next. Interestingly, the Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) had earlier instructed the Union Water Resources ministry to conduct an Environmental Impact Assessment of the project. In the past, Jairam Ramesh and Congress general secretary Rahul Gandhi have, on several occasions, expressed their concern about the potentially negative fallouts of river-linking projects. Claiming that river linking projects are not only destructive to environment but also turn unscientific, unethical and against people's general benefits, a study conducted by a research scholar from Bundelkhand Resources' Study Centre, has raised serious question marks on the proposed Ken-Betwa linking project. Researcher Bhartendu Prakash from Bundelkhand Resources' Study Centres Chhatarpur has said that erstwhile Soviet Union, North America, Egypt, China and Spain and the likes have shown their bitter experiences and the US was also forced to devise over 30,000 projects to demolish dams and restoring rivers' natural flow. The findings say that international studies and published documents within India and elsewhere also prove the projects of damming and diversion of rivers fruitless and even damaging to entire ecology. The Study According to the study, transfer of water from one basin to another should not be taken as enhancement or management of the resource. What is really needed to solve the problems of flood or drought is to work for many other alternatives including dense afforestation to ensure proper rains and sustain the environment and lives of living beings including humans. The first test project, Ken-Betwa Link Project (KBLP) planned in Bundelkhand has been studied by the researcher on field as well as through related facts and figures and views and opinions of well-known scientists and environmentalists. The feasibility report prepared for KBLP by Narmada Valley Development Authority (NVDA) has been under fire since it became publicly known, claims the researcher. National Civil Society Committee on Interlinking of Rivers in India (NCSCILR) through its thorough report has raised deep concern on this project. The Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) prepared for KBLP by Hyderabad-based Agriculture Finance Corporation Limited has been studied and found utterly inadequate because it seems based on secondary un-updated facts and figures and does not take account of real consequences specially downstream Ken river and around the huge east-west link canal disturbing the natural south-north drainage of Bundelkhand region simultaneously affecting thousands of farmers whose farm land will be overrun on way to its over 231 km of length from Daudhan dam site to Barua Sagar lake in Jhansi district.