## Ken-Betwa River Link Project (KBLP) Summary
This document summarizes the Indian government's response regarding the Ken-Betwa River Link Project (KBLP), specifically addressing environmental impact, displacement, and interstate water sharing.
**Environmental Impact:** An Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) has been conducted for the KBLP, identifying approximately 6017 hectares of forest area in and around the Panna Tiger Reserve (PTR) in Madhya Pradesh as potentially affected due to submergence and project logistics.
**Mitigation Measures:** An Integrated Landscape Management Plan (ILMP), prepared by the Wildlife Institute of India (WII), aims to improve habitat quality, maintain wildlife corridors, and protect flagship species (tigers, vultures, and gharials) within the PTR and surrounding ecological zones. A Greater Panna Landscape Council (GPLC), chaired by the Chief Secretary of Madhya Pradesh, has been constituted to oversee the ILMP's implementation.
**Displacement and Resettlement:** Land acquisition for the Daudhan Dam is being conducted by the Madhya Pradesh government under the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013 (RFCTLAR Act, 2013). Approximately 7193 families were estimated to be affected at the time of Section 11 Notification. The Madhya Pradesh government has approved a special Rehabilitation and Resettlement package.
**Interstate Water Sharing:** Interstate water sharing issues related to the KBLP have been resolved via a Tripartite Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) signed on March 22, 2024, between the participating states. The MoA is accessible at [https://nwda.gov.in/upload/uploadfiles/files/Tripartite%20MoA%20of%20KBLP.pdf](https://nwda.gov.in/upload/uploadfiles/files/Tripartite%20MoA%20of%20KBLP.pdf).
**Ministry Responsible:** Ministry of Jal Shakti, Department of Water Resources, River Development & Ganga Rejuvenation.
**Minister of State for Jal Shakti:** Shri Raj Bhushan Choudhary
Key Entities Referenced
Ken Betwa River Link Project: A river interlinking project to transfer water from the Ken River to the Betwa River.
Panna Tiger Reserve, Madhya Pradesh: A tiger reserve located in Madhya Pradesh, India, potentially affected by the Ken Betwa River Link Project.
Jal Shakti: The Union Ministry of Water Resources in the Government of India.
Wildlife Institute of India: An autonomous institution under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, involved in preparing the Integrated Landscape Management Plan.
Integrated Landscape Management Plan: A plan prepared by the Wildlife Institute of India to mitigate the environmental impact of the Ken Betwa River Link Project.
Greater Panna Landscape Council: A council constituted under the chairmanship of the Chief Secretary, Government of Madhya Pradesh, for implementation of the Integrated Landscape Management Plan.
Daudhan Dam: A dam to be constructed as part of the Ken Betwa River Link Project, leading to land acquisition and displacement of families.
Madhya Pradesh: A state in India, which is a participating state in the Ken Betwa River Linking Project.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF JAL SHAKTI
DEPARTMENT OF WATER RESOURCES, RIVER DEVELOPMENT & GANGA REJUVENATION
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1924
ANSWERED ON 31.07.2025
IMPACT OF KEN BETWA RIVER LINK PROJECT
1924. SHRI SASIKANTH SENTHIL
Will the Minister of JAL SHAKTI be pleased to state:
(a) whether the Government has conducted any environmental impact assessments, including the
assessment of deforestation in Panna Tiger Reserve and its surrounding areas, for the Ken-Betwa River
Link Project and if so, the details thereof;
(b) the steps taken/being taken by the Government to mitigate the loss of forest cover and ensure the
protection of wildlife corridors during the execution of the said project;
(c) the number of families that have been or are expected to be displaced due to the project and the details
of the rehabilitation and resettlement measures undertaken/proposed to be undertaken; and
(d) whether inter-state water sharing issues related to the Ken-Betwa River Link Project have been resolved
between the participating States and if so, the details thereof along with the current status of such
agreements?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR JAL SHAKTI
(SHRI RAJ BHUSHAN CHOUDHARY)
(a) Under the Ken-Betwa Link Project (KBLP), the Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA) study has
been done for the project. As per EIA, around 6017 hectares of forest area in and around Panna Tiger
Reserve (PTR), Madhya Pradesh has been identified to be affected due to submergence and other project
logistic usage .
(b) An Integrated Landscape Management Plan (ILMP) has been prepared, by the Wildlife Institute of
India (WII), to improve habitat quality, maintain critical wildlife corridors linking adjacent Protected Areas
(PAs), and enable the holistic protection and management of flagship species - including tigers, vultures,
and gharials – as well as promote biodiversity conservation within PTR and its surrounding ecological
sensitive zones in both States as well as mitigation measures for the loss of forest cover and to ensure the
protection of wildlife .To ensure systematic and time-bound implementation of the ILMP, a Greater Panna
Landscape Council (GPLC) is constituted under the chairmanship of the Chief Secretary, Government of
Madhya Pradesh.
(c) For construction of Daudhan Dam, land acquisition is taken up by the State Government of Madhya
Pradesh under Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition Rehabilitation and
Resettlement Act, 2013 (RFCTLAR Act, 2013). At the time of Section 11 Notification, approximately
7193 families were estimated to be project affected. Government of Madhya Pradesh has approved a
special Rehabilitation & Resettlement package.
(d) Inter-State water sharing issues related to the KBLP have been resolved between the participating
States through the Tripartite Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) signed on 22.03.2024. MoA may be
accessed at URL: https://nwda.gov.in/upload/uploadfiles/files/Tripartite%20MoA%20of%20KBLP.pdf
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