Description

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Context

Bandura Nala project in Karnataka Mahadayi River basin faces strong opposition from environmentalists, religious figures & local communities due to concerns over ecological degradation & alleged irregularities in land acquisition processes.

Bandura Nala Project

Aspect	Details
Location	Near Bandur, Karnataka in Mahadayi (Mandovi) River Basin
Type	Water diversion & irrigation project
Executing Authority	Karnataka Water Resources Department
Purpose	To divert water from Bandura stream to meet irrigation & drinking water needs in drought prone areas of Karnataka
Components	Diversion weirs Canal networks Check dams Irrigation infrastructure
Estimated Cost	Not publicly available; part of broader Mahadayi river projects
Opposition	Environmentalists Fear of ecosystem damage Religious leaders Sacred land, cultural concerns Farmers & locals Fear of displacement, water rights conflict
Main Issues Raised	Lack of proper environmental clearance Diversion may affect ecological flow Sacred groves, cultural sites may be affected
Current Status (2025)	Controversial Opposition mounting; legal & public pressure increasing
Legislative Reference	Related to broader Mahadayi river water dispute under Inter State Water Disputes Act, 1956

Mahadayi (Mandovi) River

Parameter	Details
Local Names	Mahadayi in Karnataka Mandovi in Goa
Origin	Bhimgad Wildlife Sanctuary, Western Ghats near Khanapur Taluk, Belagavi district, Karnataka
Length	~111 km
Total Basin Area	~2032 sq km
States Covered	Karnataka (origin) Goa (major river flow) Maharashtra (minor contribution)
Discharge Location	Arabian Sea, near Panaji, Goa
Drainage Type	Seasonal river with high monsoon flow
Terrain	Originates in high elevation forested hills; traverses rugged terrain, plateaus & estuarine plains
Ecoregions Crossed	Western Ghats moist deciduous & evergreen forests Coastal estuaries

Key Tributaries

Tributary Name	Side	Origin & Notes
Kalasa Nala	Left bank	From Kanakumbi region in Karnataka; involved in Kalasa Banduri Nala Project
Bandura Nala	Left bank	Originates near Bandur in Karnataka; proposed diversion is under Bandura Nala Project
Surla River	Right bank	Originates in Maharashtra; joins Mahadayi in Goa
Bhandura Nala	Left bank	Lesser-known tributary contributing in upstream region
Par River	Left bank	Seasonal tributary contributing to flow in Karnataka segment
Valvanti River	Right bank	Drains northern Goa & joins near Sattari
Zarme, Poriem, Ragoda	Right bank	Short streams in Goa; enhance flow during monsoons

Ecological & Hydrological Importance

Aspect	Details
Sanctuaries in Basin	Bhimgad WLS (Karnataka) Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary (Goa)
Flora & Fauna	Rich in endemic & endangered species: tigers, leopards, lion tailed macaques
UNESCO Significance	Part of Western Ghats a UNESCO World Heritage Site
Estuarine Importance	Mandovi forms vital Goan estuaries, rich in fisheries & mangroves
Monsoon Dependency	Over 90% of flow occurs during monsoon (June–September)
Threats	Deforestation Sand mining Unregulated tourism Water diversion

Inter-State Water Dispute

Component	Details
Dispute Focus	Karnataka attempt to divert 7.56 TMC water from Mahadayi basin
Projects Involved	Kalasa Nala Diversion Banduri Nala Diversion Bandura Project
Goa's Argument	River is lifeline; diversion reduces ecological flow & threatens biodiversity
Tribunal Formation	Mahadayi Water Disputes Tribunal (MWDT), 2010
Tribunal Verdict	In 2018 allowed Karnataka limited diversion, challenged by Goa
Supreme Court Status	Pending appeals; matter sub judice

Bandura Nala Project vs Kalasa Banduri Nala Project

Feature	Bandura Nala Project	Kalasa-Banduri Nala Project
Location	Bandur region, Khanapur Taluk, Belagavi district, Karnataka	Near Kanakumbi (Kalasa) & Kankumbi (Banduri), Belagavi, Karnataka
Target Tributary	Bandura Nala a small tributary of Mahadayi River	Kalasa & Banduri Nalas both tributaries of Mahadayi River
Purpose	Water diversion for drinking & irrigation in nearby taluks	Primarily for drinking water supply to Hubballi-Dharwad, Bailhongal & Nargund
Estimated Water to be Diverted	Approx. 2–3 TMC (est. not officially stated)	7.56 TMC (Tribunal allocation in 2018)
Environmental Concerns	Proximity to Bhimgad WLS Impact on sacred groves	Falls within Eco-sensitive zone of Western Ghats Threat to Mhadei WLS
Protests/Opposition	Strong opposition by environmentalists, religious leaders & locals	Prolonged protests by Goa govt, activists & green groups
Legal/Tribunal Status	Not yet under tribunal but part of broader Mahadayi issue	Mahadayi Water Disputes Tribunal (MWDT) verdict in 2018
Clearances Required	Awaiting Environmental Clearance (EC) Public hearings demanded	ECs were initially denied; conditional approval given in 2022
Project Status (2025)	In early phase; highly contested on ecological/religious grounds	Partially constructed; facing SC monitored legal scrutiny
Strategic Concerns	Risk of setting precedence for new diversions	Seen as a test case for Karnataka claim over Mahadayi waters
Inter-State Conflict Potential	Moderate; not directly involved in tribunal case yet	High; central to Karnataka-Goa-Maharashtra water dispute

Constitutional Provisions on Inter-State Rivers Key Central Laws Applicable to Water Diversion Projects

Provision	Details
Article 262	Empowers Parliament to adjudicate disputes relating to inter state rivers & bars Supreme Court jurisdiction if such law is made.
Seventh Schedule	Water is in State List (Entry 17) but inter-state rivers fall under Union jurisdiction (Entry 56, Union List).
Article 21	Right to a clean & healthy environment as part of Right to Life

Key Central Laws Applicable to Water Diversion Projects

Act	Relevance to River Projects
Inter-State River Water Disputes Act, 1956	Enables creation of tribunals to resolve water disputes. Led to Mahadayi Water Disputes Tribunal (MWDT)
Environment (Protection) Act, 1986	Umbrella law for environmental regulation Used to enforce EIA norms & Eco-sensitive zone protections
Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980	Mandatory for diversion of forest land Requires approval from MoEFCC
Wildlife Protection Act, 1972	Projects near/within sanctuaries or national parks (e.g. Bhimgad WLS, Mhadei WLS) need special clearances
Water (Prevention & Control of Pollution) Act, 1974	Regulates water pollution River diversion impacts fall under its scope
Biological Diversity Act, 2002	Governs access to biodiversity rich areas like Western Ghats
Right to Fair Compensation & Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation & Resettlement Act, 2013	Governs land acquisition, public consultation & fair compensation

Environmental Clearances & EIA Norms

Clearance Type	Agency	Applicability
Environmental Clearance (EC)	MoEFCC	Required for irrigation, hydro & river linking projects
Forest Clearance (FC)	MoEFCC	Needed if forest land is being diverted
Wildlife Clearance	National Board for Wildlife (NBWL)	If within 10 km of protected areas like Bhimgad or Mhadei
Public Hearing	State Pollution Control Board	Compulsory under EIA Notification, 2006 for Category A/B1 projects

Judicial Doctrines & NGT Interventions

Doctrine	Explanation & Use
Precautionary Principle	Act to prevent environmental harm even without full scientific certainty
Polluter Pays Principle	Those who degrade environment must bear remediation costs
Sustainable Development	Balance between development & ecological integrity
Doctrine of Public Trust	State is trustee of natural resources cannot arbitrarily transfer or divert
NGT (National Green Tribunal)	Quasi judicial body for fast track environmental cases Has jurisdiction over EIA, forest & biodiversity issues

Landmark Cases

Case	Significance
Karnataka vs Goa (Mahadayi Dispute)	Led to formation of MWDT landmark for inter state river water adjudication
TN Godavarman Thirumulpad v. Union of India (1996)	Reinforced strict forest diversion norms
M.C. Mehta cases	Strengthened environmental jurisprudence under Article 21
Samatha vs State of Andhra Pradesh (1997)	Reinforced tribal rights in ecologically sensitive areas