In a push to advance the essential Kalasa-Banduri irrigation project in Karnataka, Deputy Chief Minister and Irrigation Minister DK Shivakumar has reached out to Union Minister for Environment and Forest, Bhupender Yadav. Meeting in Delhi, Shivakumar formally requested that the Union Minister expedite the necessary environmental and wildlife clearances for the Kalasa Nala and Banduri Nala Diversion Schemes.

The Deputy Chief Minister emphasized the significance of the project for the people of Karnataka, expressing concern over ongoing delays despite the state adhering to relevant legal and procedural guidelines. He pointed out that the National Board for Wildlife, in its recent meeting, postponed the decision on Karnataka's proposal for using 10.88 hectares of forest land due to alleged legal disputes among Karnataka, Goa, and Maharashtra regarding the Mahadayi Water Dispute Tribunal's ruling, which is still under Supreme Court review.

Karnataka has contested this decision, arguing that it is not hindered by the Supreme Court from moving forward with the project. The state clarified that the required land for the project is not part of the wildlife sanctuary but falls within a designated tiger corridor. Furthermore, the state government highlighted the project's potential benefits, including the creation of a water body that could support local wildlife.

Shivakumar noted that the state has already decreased the forest land requirement significantly, reducing it from 258 hectares in 2003 to 26.92 hectares for the Kalasa project, and from 243 hectares to 28.44 hectares for the Banduri project. This reduction demonstrates Karnataka's commitment to conservation, and the Deputy Chief Minister insisted that prompt action from the Union government is crucial to prevent any further setbacks to this vital initiative.