Kakra village in Madhya Pradesh's Alirajpur district recently became the site of a poignant protest as hundreds of tribal women staged a demonstration against the proposed Ken-Betwa Link Project (KBLP). The women lay on symbolic 'funeral pyres' (chita) on Tuesday, May 21st, 2024, to symbolize their readiness to "die for their land" rather than be displaced by the large-scale river interlinking initiative.

The Ken-Betwa Link Project is a significant national undertaking aimed at transferring surplus water from the Ken River in Madhya Pradesh to the Betwa River, which flows through both Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh. The project's primary objectives include providing irrigation to 1.06 million hectares of land, supplying drinking water to approximately 6.2 million people, and generating 103 MW of hydropower. Key components of the project involve the construction of the Daudhan Dam on the Ken River, a 221-kilometer-long canal, and several powerhouses. Endorsed by the National Interlinking of Rivers Authority (NILRA), the KBLP is envisioned as a solution to water scarcity in drought-prone regions.

However, the project faces strong opposition from tribal communities and environmental activists who contend that it will lead to significant ecological damage and widespread displacement. The protesters in Kakra village, many belonging to the Bhil and Bhilala tribal communities, expressed profound concerns over the potential loss of their ancestral lands, forest resources, and traditional livelihoods. Their protest, led by social activist Madhuri Ben and the Jagrit Adivasi Dalit Sangathan (JADS), emphasized their dependence on the "Jal-Jungle-Zameen" (water, forest, land) for survival. Slogans like "Jal-Jungle-Zameen hamara hai, ispar jina-marna hamara hai" (Water, forest, land is ours; we will live and die for it) resonated during the demonstration.

The concerns raised by the tribal communities include:

  • Displacement: Fear of forced relocation from their villages, disrupting established social structures and cultural practices.
  • Loss of Forest Rights: Encroachment on forests that are central to tribal identity, sustenance, and traditional medicine.
  • Livelihood Impact: Dependency on forest produce, minor forest products, and traditional agriculture, which are threatened by submergence and habitat destruction.
  • Environmental Concerns: Potential impact on biodiversity, including the Panna Tiger Reserve, and the overall ecological balance of the region.

While the government has stated that comprehensive rehabilitation and resettlement packages will be provided to affected families, and environmental clearances have been secured, protesting communities maintain that these measures are insufficient to compensate for the profound loss of their way of life and cultural heritage. The project has received approvals from various bodies, including the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, and is currently in its implementation phase.

The protest in Alirajpur underscores the ongoing tension between large-scale infrastructure development projects and the rights and traditional livelihoods of indigenous communities. As the Ken-Betwa Link Project progresses, the grievances of the affected tribal populations remain a focal point for advocacy groups, signaling continued scrutiny and potential further protests regarding land acquisition, resettlement, and environmental protection.