Introductory Memo
Is it arithmetic of destruction or optimistic hydrology? The question is haunting the Indians who are keenly watching the protests against the Ken-Betwa river linking project. Spread across Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh, Bundelkhand is one of India’s most vulnerable regions. Home to more than 18 million people, it has faced severe droughts for many years. Uncertain rainfall and lack of water systems have made farming difficult and unreliable. As a result, many families struggle with low incomes and are forced to migrate in search of work. An estimated 79% of the population lives in economically fragile conditions. The problem is not just about rainfall, but about the absence of proper water management. If the Ken-Betwa river-linking project is implemented, will it address this gap? Will it bring water to the region and support agriculture, livelihoods, and long-term development?