DAUDHAN, Madhya Pradesh — India’s ambitious Ken-Betwa river-linking project faces fierce opposition from thousands of indigenous villagers who fear displacement and environmental devastation, highlighting the growing tension between national development goals and local communities’ rights.
The $5.06 billion project, aimed at channeling excess water from the Ken river to the Betwa river through a network of tunnels and canals, threatens to displace more than 7,000 families and submerge nearly 98 square kilometers of the Panna Tiger Reserve, officials say.
“Our livelihoods are tied to this land – we don’t know what the future holds for us anymore,” said Tulsi Adivasi, one of the protesters from the affected tribal communities, predominantly comprising Gond and Kol tribes.
The project, inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi last December, represents the first of 16 river-linking initiatives under India’s National Perspective Plan. Government officials claim it will irrigate 1.06 million hectares of land and provide drinking water to 6.2 million people in the drought-prone Bundelkhand region by 2030.
However, environmental experts warn of severe ecological consequences. “It’s unprecedented. We have never seen a core area of a national park being used for such a large-scale infrastructure project before,” said environmentalist Amit Bhatnagar.
The government’s compensation package offers affected families either land plus 750,000 rupees ($8,655) or a one-time payment of 1,250,000 rupees. Baleshwar Thakur, head of the National Water Development Agency, reported that 90% of residents have opted for the lump sum payment.
Critics question the project’s fundamental premise. A 2023 study published in Nature Communications suggests that such river-linking initiatives “may worsen the water stress across the country, making these projects ineffective or possibly even counterproductive.”
The situation in Daudhan village exemplifies the project’s contradictions. Despite lacking basic amenities like electricity, villagers are being asked to relocate to benefit 13 other districts. “We have seen generations pass without progress. Now, we are being asked to sacrifice our lives for others’ progress. What about us?” said Mahesh Adivasi, a 48-year-old resident.
Environmental advocates warn this project could set a dangerous precedent for future development in sensitive ecological zones. “It once again underscores how development in India often comes at the cost of the most marginalized,” Bhatnagar added.
The government maintains that all environmental clearances have been obtained and measures are in place to offset wildlife habitat loss. However, uncertainty about relocation timelines and inadequate compensation continues to fuel protests among affected communities as construction proceeds toward its 2030 completion target.
