Reports related to Indravati project

• Project Indravati: Phase I. An appraisal of the natural resources of the Indravati basin, Orissa, Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra, India : DOI: 10.1080/01431168508948470

Abstract: Project Indravati has been taken up to demonstrate the capabilities of remote-sensing data for the exploration of natural resources and also the structural linkages necessary to evolve a National Natural Resources Management System (NNRMS). The Geological Survey of India, the National Atlas and Thematic Mapping Organization and the Forest Survey of India are the collaborating agencies under this project. The National Bureau of Soil Survey and Land-use Planning has supplied data on soils of the area. This densely forested, undercultivated region with a relatively virgin status in mineral exploration offers ample scope for using remote-sensing techniques in evaluating its natural resource potential.
Data on geology, structure and lineaments, geomorphology, drainage, soil and vegetation were compiled and collated, based on visual interpretation of LANDSAT imagery. The area has a complex physiographic and geological history and varied soil types. Vegetation is mostly mixed deciduous types.

Two test areas, which are relatively remote and difficult to approach, have been selected for detailed aerial and multispectral scanner survey for the assessment of natural resources. Complete article is available here.

• Indravati side effects hit KBK

While major hydro irrigation project of Upper Indravati (UIHP) has brought cheers to the farmers of KBK region but its side effects are harming them more. Dr. Digamabara Patra, a leading Non Resident Oriya (NRO) who belongs to this backward region have analyzed in great details. Decade long operations of UIHP has provided irrigation facility and benefited a large number of farmers in the backward KBK region resulting boost in the economy of the local and the state.

The state government is richer by hundreds of crore rupees annually by selling power to the neighboring state. However, the negative side effects from this project from infrastructure and health count is creating appalling situation for the common men.

Opening of various channels to irrigate agricultural farm land has brought various deadly water born diseases in the form of Tuberculosis, Malaria, Brain fever to the region directly affecting the local mass.

However health facilities in this region are in a state of despair. And new born water diseases have added to their owes, allege the villagers. Serious staff shortage in the Community Health Centers (CHC) and Primary Health Centers (PHC) coupled with shortage of technical expertise as well as proper medical diagnostic instruments has further worsened the situation. Read the complete report here.

• Orissa CM inaugurates Upper Indravati project canal

Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Saturday visited Kalahandi district  and inaugurated the Aqueduct (canal) of Upper Indravati Irrigation Project at Chhilpa.

The Chief Minister also laid the foundation of Government engineering college, proposed Government agriculture college here and a 132/33 KV grid substation at Bhangabari. Addressing the public in Police Barrack ground, the Chief Minister said Rs 5 crore each have already been sanctioned for both the projects. Patnaik went to Dharamgarh and addressed the people at Panchayat Ground after inaugurating the Town Hall.

The Chief Minister also inaugurated the new school building of Kendriya Vidyalaya here. The Chief Minister also visited Tulapada College and addressed the Bikash Samavesh at the college ground.

Bhawanipatna MLA Pradipta Naik, Kalahandi MP Bikram Kesari Deo, Balabhadra Majhi, Kiran Singh Deo also spoke. Meanwhile, members of the District Youth Congress, led by president Abdul Sazid, blocked the road while CM was going to address a meeting in the Police Barrack demanding a Central University in the district. However, the police cleared the road. More than 50 Congress activists were arrested. This report is taken from Orissa diary.