Jaipur: Resistance against the proposed Doongri Dam, a component of the Eastern Rajasthan Canal Project (ERCP), continues to grow as villagers, farmers, tribal communities and activists threaten large-scale protests unless the govt withdraws the project.A mahapanchayat at Doongri Kuti in Khandar saw protesters submit a memorandum to the local tehsildar, directed to the chief minister, requesting immediate cessation of dam-related work.The planned Doongri Dam on the Banas River, situated near Ranthambhore and Kailadevi wildlife sanctuaries’ border, poses a risk to 76 villages and numerous small settlements, forcing thousands of families to relocate. Additionally, it would permanently disrupt the wildlife passage between the sanctuaries, impacting the movement of tigers, leopards, sloth bears and hyenas.According to local inhabitants, the authorities proceeded without conducting public consultations or obtaining approval from gram panchayats or residents in the affected Sawai Madhopur and Karauli districts.Madan Mohan Rajour leading the protest said, “Both state and central governments had secretly approved land acquisition and environmental clearances without informing the people.”The mahapanchayat participants criticised the government’s approach as harmful to public interests. Community leaders indicated escalated protests if no resolution emerges within seven days.A protester said, “A larger Mahapanchayat has been scheduled for July 13 at the Kushal Singh Baba temple in Sapotara, where we can also announced “rail roko” and highway blockades, if demands not met.”Environmental specialists indicate the dam could become Rajasthan’s largest, but with significant ecological implications. The structure would submerge crucial sections of the Ranthambhore-Kailadevi corridor, an essential tiger movement route in eastern Rajasthan. The PKC-ERCP project encompasses 408.86 sq km of submergence area, with 227 sq km under the proposed Banas River dam reservoir. The planned 39-metre-high, 1.6-km-long structure will be situated near Doongri village, 30 km from Sawai Madhopur. “The project details show, 37.03 sq km belong to Ranthambore National Park (392 sq km) and Keladevi Wildlife Sanctuary (674 sq km), both part of the Ranthambhore tiger reserve (1,113 sq km).”An official stated, “The canal project is expected to channel surplus water of the Chambal river basin for irrigation, drinking and industrial use to 23 districts of Rajasthan, benefitting 3.45 crore people.”
