Context: 

According to project documents, the proposed Parbati-Kalisindh-Chambal-Eastern Rajasthan Canal Project (PKC-ERCP) will lead to submergence of 37 square km in the Ranthambore Tiger Reserve, effectively splitting it into two sections.

About the Project

• The PKC-ERCP is an inter-state irrigation initiative under the larger Interlinking of Rivers (ILR) program.
• It aims to channel surplus water from the Chambal River basin for irrigation, drinking water, and industrial use in 23 districts of Rajasthan, benefiting approximately 3.45 crore people (both the Malwa and Chambal regions).
• The proposed dam will be located near Doongri village, about 30 km from Sawai Madhopur town, across the Banas River, a tributary of Chambal.

• Details of the Project’s Phase One:

• Phase One includes the construction of the Doongri dam and five barrages on various rivers like Kul, Parbati, Kalisindh, Mej, and Banas.
• It also includes a water conductor system and the renovation of the Isarda dam.
• The deadline for completion of Phase One is 2028.

Concerns Regarding the Project

• The construction of the largest dam under the PKC-ERCP will result in the submergence of 37 sq km of Ranthambhore National Park and Keladevi Wildlife Sanctuary, both part of the Ranthambhore Tiger Reserve.
• The submergence of 37.03 sq km in the reserve will disrupt the north-south animal dispersal route, dividing the tiger reserve into two sections.
• Conservationists have raised concerns about the adverse effects on habitat connectivity and the carrying capacity of the reserve.

• Incidentally, Ranthambhore is the third tiger reserve facing loss of land to upcoming reservoirs. 

• The North Koel Reservoir Project will submerge 10.07 sq km of the Palamu tiger reserve in Jharkhand.
• The Ken-Betwa River Link project is expected to drown 41.41 sq km of the Panna tiger reserve in Madhya Pradesh.

About Ranthambore Tiger Reserve

• In 1973, it was declared as one of the Project Tiger reserves in India.
• Ranthambhore Tiger Reserve spans a total of 1,113 sq km (Critical Tiger Habitat) and currently hosts 57 tigers (53 in All India Tiger Estimation, 2018).
• It comprises Ranthambore National Park, Sawaimadhopur Sanctuary, Sawaiman Singh Sanctuary, Keladevi Sanctuary and part of National Gharial Sanctuary besides other forest areas. 
• Situated at the confluence of the Aravali and Vindhya hill ranges in southeastern Rajasthan, the reserve is bounded by the Banas River to the north and the Chambal River to the south.
• Ranthambore Fort, a UNESCO World Heritage Site (2013) is located within it.