Archive · 14 Sep 2025
Irrigation Project Faces Review Over Cheetah Habitat Concerns
An environment panel is reviewing a proposed irrigation project in Madhya Pradesh.
The project involves flooding a large area of forest, potentially impacting the habitat of cheetahs, as the government is working to increase the population of cheetahs in India.
The panel wants to ensure the project won't harm the cheetahs or other wildlife.
It's also concerned about the impact on local communities, who rely on the forest for resources.
The panel is assessing the project's impact on the environment and the people nearby.
Environment Ministry panel seeks comments from Cheetah Steering Committee.
The irrigation project will submerge 596 hectares of forest land.
The project aims to irrigate land in Shivpuri and Guna districts.
The project area supports wildlife protected under Schedule I of the Wildlife Protection Act.
The EAC is assessing impacts on aquatic ecology and human communities.
- Who
- Environment Ministry Panel and Cheetah Steering Committee
- What
- Reviewing irrigation project impacting forest land
- When
- August 29 (EAC Meeting)
- Where
- Madhya Pradesh
- Why
- To assess environmental and social impacts
Environmental Preservation
Economic Development
Forest Land Use
Environmental Preservation
Prioritize minimal forest land submergence to protect wildlife habitats and biodiversity.
Economic Development
Recognize the need for land for irrigation projects to support agriculture and economic growth.
Impact on Communities
Environmental Preservation
Assess and mitigate the negative impacts on tribal populations.
Economic Development
Highlight the improved irrigation in drought-prone Shivpuri and Guna
- Project Name
- Sonpura Major Micro Irrigation Project
- Project Cost
- Rs 855.3 crore
- Forest Land Submergence
- 596 hectares
- Irrigation Area
- 19,410 hectares
- Affected Districts
- Shivpuri and Guna, Madhya Pradesh
- Land Required
- 1,042.9 hectares
