Dabhil Dam
Project Statement
This project seeks to construct an irrigation project that could submerge around 899 ha of pristine forests of the Western Ghats in the Sawantwadi-Dodamarg wildlife corridor. While the project proponent has cited 18 villages that would benefit from said project. The site happens to be in the highly important wildlife corridor connecting Radhanagiri Sanctuary in Kolhapur with Bhimgad/Anshi Dandeli. A small quaint village with 35 households it is nestled in the dense forests at the crest of the Westrn Ghats in the Sawantwadi range.
Project Intervention
Vanashakti under RTI revealed that none of those have expressed water shortage or pending irrigation needs. The real reason was uncovered soon wherein it was exposed that open cast mining was proposed in the nearby village and the water from the dam was to be diverted to the mining project. Project work had been initiated without environmental clearances, despite the lack of an Environmental Impact Assessment on lands with Schedule 1 category wildlife. After petitioning relevant depts., officials visited the area. Meetings/representations with the state Forest Department, Principle Secy. did not yield any results. After govt. refused to cancel the project, Vanashakti moved High Court.
Project Outcome
The HC has stayed the project and sought details and the State has so far kept the issue on hold and has not proceeded further.
