• Recently, tenders floated for implementation of Kalasa Banduri project were put out without obtaining forest and environment clearance.

ABOUT KALASA-BANDURI PROJECT

• Aims to divert water from two tributaries of the Mahadayi river (also known as Mandovi): Kalasa and Banduri to the Malaprabha river.
  • Malaprabha river is a tributary of Krishna river.
• Mahadayi or Mhadei, the west-flowing river, originates in Bhimgad Wildlife Sanctuary (Western Ghats), Belagavi district of Karnataka and drains into Arabian Sea.
• Entire project aims to construct several dams on the river Mandovi.
• Aimed at facilitating drinking water for towns in drought-hit northern Karnataka.
  • The areas include Dharwad, Belagavi, Bagalkote and Gadag among others.