Introduce yourself
This dispute has been raging for many years between Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Kerala. Puducherry and Kerala are also involved. Inter-state dispute centered on the distribution of Cauvery River waters. The river is important for agricultural, domestic, and economic needs. This dispute has seen a number of court battles, negotiation, and intervention by central government and the Supreme Court of India.
Understanding the Cauvery River
- Origin: Cauvery river originates on the Western Ghats of Karnataka at Talakaveri and flows in a southeast direction, passing through Tamil Nadu to reach the Bay of Bengal.
- Length: Around 800 km.
- Significance: The water is supplied to Karnataka Tamil Nadu Kerala and Puducherry. The water used for industrial, agricultural, and drinking purposes is crucial.
Historical Context
Pre-Independence Agreements
- 1892 Agreement: A deal was made between Mysore, the former princely state (now Karnataka), and Madras Presidency in Tamil Nadu. The agreement laid out rules on sharing Cauvery water and building irrigation projects.
- 1924 Agreement: The second agreement, which was signed for 50 years and is primarily in the interest of Tamil Nadu, confirms the Mettur Dam construction.
Post-Independence Developments
- Karnataka, which wanted to use more water for its expanding agricultural sector and urban demands after the 1924 accord expired, escalated the dispute.
- Tamil Nadu has insisted that the allocations be maintained, given its established irrigation needs.
Formation of Tribunals and their Verdicts
The Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal was formed.
- The Government of India established the CWDT in 1990 to settle the disputes.
Tribunal’s Interim Order (1991)
- In its interim order, the tribunal ordered Karnataka release an annual fixed amount of water in Tamil Nadu. This order sparked widespread protests across Karnataka.
Tribunal’s final Award for 2007
- The CWDT released its final decision in 2007. It allocated the water to the following states: Tamil Nadu –419 TMC. Karnataka –270 TMC. Kerala –30 TMC. Puducherry –7 TMC.
- The Supreme Court heard appeals after the mixed reaction to the ruling.
Supreme Court Role
- In 2018, India’s Supreme Court revised the CWDT distribution, reducing Tamil Nadu and increasing Karnataka by a tiny margin.
- The Court stressed the importance of a mechanism for sharing water, taking into account factors such as rainfall variation, state needs and equitable distribution.
Central Government Interventions
- The central government is often called upon to act as a mediator and facilitator in negotiations among the various states.
- In 2018, the Centre formed the Cauvery Water Regulation Committee, and Cauvery Water Regulation Committee for the purpose of implementing Supreme Court Directives as well as the verdicts from the tribunal.
Recent developments
- Water release disputes, despite ongoing efforts to resolve them, continue to occur, especially in drought years.
- The two states are proposing new projects, and have raised concerns about water usage and storage.
Examples of Case Studies
Hassan District, Karnataka
- Hassan District, during droughts, has experienced severe water shortages. This has caused farmers to depend on groundwater which led to an over-extraction of the resource and sustainability issues.
Delta Region, Tamil Nadu
- If water is released from Karnataka later or less, it will have a significant impact on the Delta region. The area heavily depends on Cauvery Waters for rice cultivation.
- Farmers from this area have protested repeatedly, demanding that water be released as soon as possible to protect their crops.
Environmental and Social Impact
- Environmental Concerns: The impact of dams on the aquatic environment, including reduced river flow and adverse impacts to aquatic life.
- The Social Impact of the Study: Water scarcity is causing inter-state tensions and conflicts between urban areas and rural regions, as well as farmer distress.
Questions and Answers about the Cauvery Water Disput
1. What is the Cauvery water dispute?
It is an ongoing conflict between Tamil Nadu, a state in Tamil Nadu’s Indian province of Karnataka over sharing the waters of the Cauvery. It has roots in agreements made before independence and involves legal battles as well as tribunal decisions and Supreme Court interventions.
2. What are the countries involved?
The dispute is primarily between Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. Kerala and Puducherry, a union territory of India, are also parties to the agreements.
3. What role plays the Cauvery River?
It is vital for irrigation of agricultural land, water supply and industrial uses in all the states that it passes through. This is of particular importance to the agriculture sectors in Karnataka & Tamil Nadu.
4. What was the goal of the 1924 Agreement?
The agreement of 1924 between Mysore, now Karnataka and Madras Presidency, today Tamil Nadu was intended to govern the distribution of Cauvery Waters and allow the construction and expansion of irrigation projects. This agreement was to be valid for 50-years.
5. What is the result of the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal?
It was established in 1990 as the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal to settle this dispute. The tribunal issued an interim decision in 1991 and the final award in 2007. It issued an interim order in 1991 and a final award in 2007.
6. What was the Supreme Court’s modification of the Tribunal’s Award?
The Supreme Court revised its allocation in 2018, slightly increasing Karnataka’s share while reducing Tamil Nadu’s. The court emphasized that a flexible, cooperative mechanism for water sharing was needed.
7. What is Cauvery Water Management Authority?
In 2018, the CWMA was established by the Central Government to oversee the execution of Supreme Court Directives as well as the award from the Tribunal. The authority is responsible for managing and regulating the transfer of Cauvery waters between the various states.
8. What are the main challenges to resolving a dispute?
Other challenges include changes in the agricultural needs, political and ecological pressures, as well as variations of rainfall. It is vital to resolve this dispute that there be a water-sharing system which is sustainable and fair.
9. How has the conflict affected local communities?
Local communities are greatly affected, especially farmers who depend on the Cauvery for irrigation. The lack of water can cause crop failures as well as economic stress and social tension.
10. What can you do to find a solution that is sustainable?
Water management policy should consider environmental factors, promote efficient water use and conservation of water, as well as invest in storage infrastructures.
