Protest by Karnataka Border Villagers Against Maharashtra Irrigation Project

Along the Karnataka-Maharashtra border, a growing dispute has emerged as hundreds of villagers vehemently oppose Maharashtra's plan for an irrigation project within the region. The primary point of contention centers on water resources, with local residents expressing serious concerns about how the project could impact their lives and livelihoods.

This conflict involves villages and towns in the Sangli, Miraj, and Ichalkaranji districts, situated on the border between Karnataka and Maharashtra. Feeling neglected and deprived of basic amenities, these communities have previously called for their regions to be merged with Karnataka.

As tensions escalated, the Maharashtra government sought to address some of these grievances by supplying water to the Ichalkaranji district. Their strategy involves constructing a barrage in Sulakod village to harness the waters of the Doodhganga River.

However, the Doodhganga River, originating in Maharashtra's border region, also flows into Karnataka. It plays a critical role in irrigating thousands of hectares of agricultural land and serving domestic needs. The looming 'Sulkod project' has raised concerns about potential water shortages among residents of hundreds of Maharashtra villages along the riverbanks in Kagal taluk.

To voice their concerns and unite against the project, residents have formed the "Doodhganga Bachao Samiti" (Organization to Save Doodhganga). This collective effort aims to safeguard their water resources and ensure uninterrupted support for agriculture and daily life.

Adding complexity, the Bedakihal Gram Panchayat (GP), a border village in Karnataka's Nippani taluk, has passed a resolution opposing the Maharashtra project. They are deeply concerned about the adverse impacts the proposed "Bedakihal Project" may have on riverbank communities and the agricultural sector.

The GP suggests an alternative project that uses water from the nearby Panchaganga river, which flows closer to Ichalkaranji, would be more cost-effective and less disruptive. Agriculture is central to the region's economy, particularly tobacco cultivation, making a consistent water supply vital. The resolution includes plans for protests, including road blockades and a Bedakihal strike.

While Maharashtra has assured basic facilities to the concerned communities, they have proceeded with the Sulkod Project's tender process. Despite this, GP members remain steadfast in their opposition, believing that the project prioritizes industrial interests over local well-being.

Also Read: Karnataka Protests Erupt Over Cauvery River Water Release to TN\

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