Rajasthan's Dungri Dam Controversy: Tribal Protests and Environmental Concerns Explained

Jaipur- The Dungri Dam project, planned at the confluence of the Banas, Morel, and Chambal rivers in Rajasthan’s Sawai Madhopur and Karauli districts, has sparked intense opposition from tribal communities and activists. It has ignited a fierce debate between development and displacement in Rajasthan. Tribal communities see it as a direct threat to their land, culture, and rights, while the government frames it as a critical development initiative.

Touted as Rajasthan’s largest reservoir, the project threatens to displace over 76 villages, primarily inhabited by Meena, Gurjar, and Jatav communities. Hansraj Meena, founder of Tribal Army and a Bahujan rights activist, has called it an assault on tribal land, culture, and identity. The opposition stems from significant social, environmental, and legal concerns.

According to Hansraj Meena, the Dungri Dam project endangers over 76 villages, displacing approximately 50,000 Dalits, tribals, farmers, and landless individuals. The submersion of thousands of hectares of fertile agricultural land will destroy the livelihoods of communities dependent on farming, forests, and rivers.

For generations, these tribes have sustained themselves through traditional practices tied to their land, and the loss of this resource threatens their economic survival and way of life. "In the first phase, 76 villages have been ordered to be displaced. It looks like a conspiracy to generalize SC-ST reserved seats to weaken our political fight against BJP" Meena stated.

He also calls it a violation of constitutional provisions. The project disregards key legal frameworks, including the Panchayats (Extension to Scheduled Areas) Act (PESA) and the Forest Rights Act (FRA). Village councils (gram sabhas) have not been consulted, violating their right to consent in scheduled areas.

Additionally, bypassing the Forest Rights Act denies tribals their traditional forest rights. Initiating the project without the President’s approval in scheduled areas further breaches constitutional protections, raising serious questions about its legality.

There are environmental concerns surrounding the project. The construction of the dam will involve clearing thousands of trees in ecologically sensitive areas like Ranthambore and Keladevi sanctuaries, disrupting the region’s environmental balance. The natural habitats of tigers, leopards, deer, foxes, and other wildlife face destruction, potentially pushing these species toward endangerment. The environmental impact assessment, if conducted, has not been made public, intensifying concerns about long-term ecological damage.

Many affected villagers lack formal land documentation, creating a high risk of discrimination and corruption in the compensation process. Past projects in India have shown that inadequate or mismanaged compensation disproportionately harms marginalized communities. The absence of a transparent and inclusive rehabilitation plan has fueled distrust, with fears that the promised benefits will not reach those most affected.

Beyond land loss, the project threatens the cultural heritage and identity of tribal communities, who have lived in harmony with their environment for centuries. The displacement of these communities could also alter the demographic makeup of reserved assembly and parliamentary constituencies, potentially converting them into general seats. This raises allegations of a political conspiracy to undermine the political representation of tribals and Dalits.

Dungri Dam Project: Objectives and Potential Benefits

The PKC-ERCP project encompasses 408.86 sq km of submergence area, with 227 sq km under the proposed Banas River dam reservoir. The planned 39-metre-high, 1.6-km-long structure will be situated near Doongri village, 30 km from Sawai Madhopur.

The canal project is expected to channel surplus water of the Chambal river basin for irrigation, drinking and industrial use to 23 districts of Rajasthan, benefitting 3.45 crore people.

The project details show, 37.03 sq km belong to Ranthambore National Park (392 sq km) and Keladevi Wildlife Sanctuary (674 sq km), both part of the Ranthambhore tiger reserve (1,113 sq km).

Dungri Dam project aims to improve irrigation, drinking water supply, and flood control in Sawai Madhopur, Karauli, and nearby areas. The government claims it will enhance water resource management, increase agricultural productivity, and support the local economy through potential hydroelectric power generation. However, the lack of a detailed public report and clear rehabilitation plans has cast doubt on these benefits, with affected communities questioning the project’s true cost.

In addition to on-ground protests and mahapanchayats, tribal communities and activists have launched a robust social media campaign to amplify their opposition to the Dungri Dam project. Using hashtags like #HameinDoongriBaandhNahiChahiye, protestors are raising awareness about the project’s devastating impacts on their livelihoods, culture, and environment. The campaign has gained traction across platforms, with thousands of posts highlighting the lack of consultation, legal violations, and ecological concerns, urging authorities to reconsider the project and prioritize the rights of affected communities.