IISc to be part of Karnataka govt's 18-month study of KC Valley project to assess long-term environmental impact

The state government submitted a copy of the details/aspects to the Karnataka High Court that the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) will look into during its proposed 18-month study of the KC Valley project. The institute stated that the proposed study needed to assess the long-term environmental impact of the project considering that this was the first time in India that such a large-scale effort had been taken up and attempts were being made to replicate it in neighbouring states.

The IISc will carry out Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and water quality impact for the treated waste water from KC Valley being used for indirect recharge of 126 irrigation tanks in Kolar district. An EIA is generally predictive and is carried out prior to the start of a project. As the project has already started, the EIA will be strengthened using data from the field rather than being based on assumed scenarios.

The IISc further said a review committee of eminent scientists in waste water treatment and resource persons from institutes of eminence such as IITs and NEERI will be formed to appraise about the project outcome. The copy of the study was placed before a division bench of Chief Justice Abhay Shreeniwas Oka and Justice Pradeep Singh Yerur during hearing of PIL filed by social worker Anjaneya Reddy questioning the KC Valley project.

Study Will Look Into following aspects
Allegations that using treated water to recharge 125 irrigation tanks in Kolar will impact the environment and the tanks' long-time health

Water quality and potential, impact on aquatic life, flora and fauna in and around the tanks

 Dispersion of treated water droplets into air at various transfer points and possible air quality, groundwater quality and its ability to remain fresh and usable for long periods

Effect on soil agro-ecology/crop ecosystem when waste water is used directly for irrigation, or from borewells indirectly charged with treated water, including the quality/safety of agro products raised