The first phase of the Ken-Betwa river link project has been given a go-ahead by the standing committee of the National Board for Wildlife (NBWL). The committee has, however, put some additional conditions while approving the project. The river-ling project is crucial for the future of drought-prone areas of the Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh. It will not only help in ensuring water supply for irrigation and drinking purposes but also generate huge amount of electricity. There are some ecological concerns as well but the National Water Development Agency (NWDA), which is looking after the project, believes they could be minimised with proper planning and implementation.