Facts for Prelims (FFP)
Source: TH
Context: The High Court of Karnataka has issued a ban on all mining and quarrying activities within a 20-km radius of the Krishnarajasagar (KRS) dam in Mandya district (due to concerns about the potential danger posed to the dam by these activities)
The ban applies to activities already permitted or in operation, and it will remain in force until a comprehensive study by experts is completed. The decision on lifting the ban will be made by the State Committee on Dam Safety, established under the Dam Safety Act, 2021.
| About Krishna Raja Sagar Dam | |
| Built | 1932 |
| Location | River Kaveri, Mysore, and Mandya districts, Karnataka |
| Named after | Krishnaraja Wodeyar IV (then ruler of Mysore Kingdom) |
| Engineer | Sir M. Vishweshwaraiah (Bharat Ratna) (Birthday celebrated as Engineers Day on 15th September) |
| Purpose | Water supply for Mysore city, Bangalore, and irrigation in Karnataka and Tamil Nadu |
| About River Kaveri | The Kaveri River is a perennial, monsoon rain-fed river. It rises at Talakaveri (Brahmagiri Hill) located in the Kodagu district in Karnataka. |
| Drainage Basin: Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, Bay of Bengal (south of Cuddalore) | |
| Tributaries: Arkavathi, Hemavathi, Lakshmana Theertha, Shimsa, Kabini, Harangi | |
| About Dam in India | India is the 3rd largest dam-owning nation in the world (after the US and China). India has over 6000 dams with 143 under construction |
| Initiatives for Dam Safety: Dam Safety Act, 2021; National Committee on Dam Safety (NCDS); Dam Rehabilitation and Improvement Project (DRIP) Phases-II (co-financed by World Bank and Asian Infrastructure and Investment Bank) | |
