An Interface Between Human Rights And Development With Special Reference To Ken- Betwa River Linking Project

Ayushi Rai, National Law University and Judicial Academy Assam

CHAPTER I: INTRODUCTION

The pilot project for the national plan is called the Ken-Betwa Link Project (KBLP). The goal of this project is to link the Ken and Betwa rivers by building a dam, reservoir, and canal that will store excess rainfall during the monsoon season and redirect it for irrigation and human use. As concerns about the KBLP's viability and motivations impede its implementation, the programme has grown to be a contentious issue in India. The Indian government has published a Feasibility Report that addresses the project's possible environmental effects; nonetheless, the project's detailed description and analysis leave a lot to be desired.

One component of India's proposed National River Linking Project (NRLP) is the multi- objective water development project known as Ken-Betwa. The Madhya Pradesh districts of Panna, Chhatarpur, Damoh, Sagar, Satna, Katni, Narasingpur, and Raisen comprise the catchment area of both rivers. The vast Bundelkhand region of India, which spans the two most populous states, Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh, is often regarded as a region with numerous risks. Unfavourable weather patterns led to one of India's underdeveloped areas experiencing drought for an extended period of time. the entire population, which exceeds 7 million people. People have been moving there quickly for a number of years as a result of the ongoing drought.

The village, home to 110 families, is one of 25 whose lands will be taken over for the massive project of connecting the Ken-Betwa River, which is projected to cost Rs. 45,000 crore. The Ken River, which passes through the tiger reserve, is the lifeblood of the continuously drought- prone Bundelkhand region. The river is currently in the news because it is the site of the first river-linking project in the nation.