Description

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Context

Two youths tragically drowned in Hemavati River near Henli village, Sakleshpur highlighting importance of water safety & emergency response measures.

Hemavati River

Parameter	Details
Name	Hemavati River (also spelled Hemavathi)
Origin	Western Ghats, Karnataka
Source Location	Ballalarayana Durga, Chikkamagaluru district, Karnataka
Elevation at Origin	Approx. 1,219 meters (4,000 feet) above sea level
Total Length	Approximately 245 km
Course	Flows through districts of Chikkamagaluru, Hassan, Mandya & joins Kaveri River in Krishnarajasagara (KRS), Karnataka
Confluence	Kaveri River at Krishnarajasagara (KRS), Mandya district
Tributaries	Left Bank: Yagachi River, Harangi River, Kumaradhara River Right Bank: Hemavathi Right Bank Canal, minor seasonal streams
Basin Area	Part of Cauvery Basin
States Covered	Karnataka (entire course of river)
Cities & Towns Along River	Hassan, Holenarasipura, Sakleshpur, Arkalgud, Gorur, Krishnarajasagara
Major Dams	Hemavati Dam (Gorur Dam): Located near Gorur in Hassan district, 58 m high & 4,692 m long
Purpose of Hemavati Dam	Irrigation, drinking water supply, hydroelectric power generation, flood control
Reservoir Created	Hemavati Reservoir (Gorur Dam Reservoir)
Irrigation Coverage	Provides water to Hassan, Mandya & Tumkur districts
Ecological Significance	Important source of water for Western Ghats ecosystem, supports agriculture, sustains aquatic biodiversity
Associated Wildlife Sanctuaries	Bisle Reserve Forest, Pushpagiri Wildlife Sanctuary (catchment area)
Flora & Fauna	Houses endemic Western Ghats species like Malabar civet, king cobra, various migratory birds
Environmental Concerns	Siltation, sand mining, pollution from agricultural runoff, water disputes with Tamil Nadu (as part of Cauvery dispute)
Flood Risk	Seasonal floods during heavy monsoon in Hassan & Mandya districts
Cultural Significance	Hemavati river is revered in Karnataka, several ancient temples like Lakshmi Narasimha Temple in Holenarasipura are located along its banks
Religious & Mythological Importance	Associated with Hindu legends; often linked to Cauvery River mythological origins
Tourism & Recreation	Popular spots for trekking (Sakleshpur), riverbank temples, bird-watching near Gorur dam

Netravati–Hemavati River Link Project

Parameter	Details
Objective	To divert surplus water from Netravati River (flowing into Arabian Sea) to Hemavati River (a tributary of Kaveri River) for irrigation, drinking water & hydropower.
Initiated By	Government of Karnataka (Proposed under National Water Development Agency’s (NWDA) River Interlinking Scheme)
Geographical Location	Western Ghats region (Dakshina Kannada, Hassan & Mandya districts in Karnataka)
Donor River	Netravati River (West-flowing river draining into Arabian Sea)
Recipient River	Hemavati River (East-flowing tributary of Kaveri River)
Project Type	Interlinking of Rivers (ILR) – Diversion through tunnels, canals & reservoirs
Estimated Water Transfer	Approx. 100–150 TMC (Thousand Million Cubic feet) of water
Infrastructure Proposed	Construction of diversion weirs & dams in upper reaches of Netravati A series of canals & tunnels to transport water to Hemavati Lift irrigation systems in dry regions of Hassan & Mandya

Importance & Benefits:

Sector	Expected Benefits
Irrigation	Enhances water availability in Hemavati basin (Hassan, Mandya, Tumkur districts) Boosts agriculture in drought-prone regions of Karnataka
Drinking Water Supply	Provides safe drinking water to rural & urban areas, especially in Bangalore Rural, Mandya & Hassan
Hydropower Generation	Potential for small hydropower plants at diversion sites
Groundwater Recharge	Improves groundwater table in dry areas dependent on rainfall
Drought Mitigation	Provides long term water security for rain dependent farming communities
Flood Control	Regulates water flow during monsoons preventing flooding in Dakshina Kannada

Environmental & Social Concerns:

Concern	Details
Ecological Impact	Threatens biodiversity of Western Ghats, a UNESCO World Heritage Site Affects forests & habitats of endangered species
Deforestation	Large-scale tree cutting in Netravati catchment area
Water Rights Conflict	Opposition from Dakshina Kannada district due to fear of reduced flow into Arabian Sea affecting coastal fisheries
Impact on Local Communities	Displacement of villages due to dam & canal construction
Impact on Coastal Region	Saltwater intrusion into coastal aquifers due to reduced Netravati outflow
Legal Challenges	Project faces opposition from environmental activists & litigation over its feasibility

Current Status of Project:

Status	Details
Initial Proposal	Concept proposed under National Water Development Agency (NWDA)’s Peninsular River Interlinking Plan
Approval Status	Yet to receive final environmental & legal clearances
Government Position	Karnataka Government supports project for drought mitigation, while environmentalists & coastal communities oppose it
Challenges	Interstate water dispute with Tamil Nadu (impact on Kaveri flow) Public resistance in Dakshina Kannada Ecological concerns in Western Ghats
Alternative Plans	Experts suggest localized water conservation & rainwater harvesting instead of large-scale river diversion

Key Stakeholders & Their Stance:

Stakeholder	Position
Government of Karnataka	Supports project for water security in Kaveri basin
Dakshina Kannada Farmers & Environmentalists	Strongly oppose due to ecological damage & reduced river flow
Fishing Community (Mangalore & Coastal Areas)	Concerned about declining fish catch due to reduced freshwater inflow into Arabian Sea
Tamil Nadu Government	Monitors project closely as it could impact Kaveri water-sharing agreements
Western Ghats Conservation Groups	Demand a halt to prevent deforestation & habitat destruction

Alternative Water Management Strategies:

Strategy	Proposed Actions
Rainwater Harvesting	Large-scale community rainwater harvesting & groundwater recharge
Efficient Irrigation	Adoption of drip irrigation & micro-irrigation to minimize water wastage
Local Reservoirs	Construction of small check dams & percolation ponds instead of large diversions
Desalination Plants	Coastal Karnataka could explore seawater desalination for water security
Afforestation & Watershed Management	Reforesting Netravati’s catchment areas to naturally enhance water retention

For more information, please visit IAS GYAN

Sources:

HINDU

PRACTICE QUESTION

Q. Despite existence of multiple water safety laws in India drowning remains major cause of accidental deaths especially in rivers, lakes, reservoirs. Critically examine effectiveness of existing water safety regulations in India & suggest measures to improve drowning prevention & water safety management.