Cabinet has given the approval for the completion of North Koel reservoir project in Jharkhand and Bihar.
The project aims to provide irrigation for the most backward and drought prone areas of Palamu & Garhwa districts in Jharkhand and Aurangabad & Gaya districts in Bihar.
The North Koel River rises on the Ranchi Plateau in Jharkhand.
It is a tributary of River Sone that joins the river Ganga in Bihar.
The project envisages building a dam named “Mandal dam” in Jharkhand.
The river along with its tributaries meanders through the northern part of Betla National Park.
The reservoir project is expected to flood villages which are within the Palamau Tiger Reserve.
Thus the GoI restricted the storage capacity of Mandal dam in order to reduce the submergence and to protect Betla National Park and Palamau Tiger Reserve.