IAS Current Affairs

Cauvery Water Dispute

Cauvery Water Dispute

Source:  Department of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation
GS II: Governance


Overview

  1. News in Brief
  2. What is the Cauvery Water Dispute?
  3. Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal (CWDT)
  4. About Cauvery River 

Why in the News?

The court mandated Karnataka to release 10,000 cusecs of water to Tamil Nadu for a 15-day period.

News in Brief


  • On August 14, the Tamil Nadu government sought the Supreme Court’s intervention to make Karnataka immediately release 24,000 cubic feet per second (cusecs) from its reservoirs.
  • Also to ensure the availability of the specified quantity of water at Biligundlu on the inter-State border for the remainder of the month.
  • It also urged the Court to direct Karnataka to ensure the release of 36.76 TMC (thousand million cubic feet) stipulated for September 2023 as per the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal (CWDT).
  • Karnataka should release a total quantity of 177.25 TMC in a normal water year (June to May).
    • 123.14 TMC is to be given during the period from June to September, southwest monsoon. 
  • This monsoon yields lower rainfall, and the Cauvery issue flared up.
How did the issue trigger?
  • Whenever there’s a deficit in the Southwest Monsoon in the region, the Cauvery conflict between Tamil Nadu and Karnataka resurfaces.
  • Quite recently, Tamil Nadu brought its case to the Supreme Court, requesting Karnataka to release 24,000 cubic feet per second (cusecs) of Cauvery water daily to support their standing crops.
  • In response, the court directed Karnataka to release 10,000 cusecs of water to Tamil Nadu for a 15-day period.

What is the Cauvery Water Dispute?


  • The Cauvery Water Dispute is a long-standing and complex water-sharing conflict between the southern Indian states of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.
  • Kerala and Puducherry also have minor stakes in the issue.
  • The dispute primarily revolves around the sharing of waters from the Cauvery River.
  • The river originates in Karnataka and flows through Tamil Nadu before emptying into the Bay of Bengal.
How is the river Crucial for the states?
  • The Cauvery River is a critical water source for both Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, supporting irrigation, drinking water supply, and hydropower generation.
  • The Cauvery River is considered one of the seven holy rivers in India.
  • Kaveri basin is 81,155 sq km.
    • Of which the river’s catchment area is about 34,273 sq km in Karnataka, 2,866 sq km in Kerala and the remaining 44,016 sq km in Tamil Nadu and Pondicherry.
Agreement History
  • Colonial Era
    • The dispute has its roots in agreements and treaties signed during British colonial rule.
    • Mysore’s plans to revive the irrigation projects met with resistance from the Madras Presidency at the end of the 19th century.
    • The 1892 agreements allocated water to the Madras Presidency (now Tamil Nadu) and the Princely State of Mysore (now Karnataka).
    • H D. Griffin became the arbitrator
    • In 1924 final agreement for the construction of the Krishnasagara Dam was approved.
    • Clauses of the agreement were open to reconsideration at the expiry of 50 years from the date of its execution.
  • Post Independence Negotiations
    • In the late 1960s after the completion of 50 years, negotiations were going on.
    • A decade-long negotiations were done without any final agreement.
  • Court Interventions
    • Government of India constituted the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal (CWDT) on June 2, 1990.
    • Interim order directing the State of Karnataka to release water from its reservoir in Karnataka in a water year.
    • 205 million cubic feet (TalMC) of water to be released to the Mettur reservoir in Tamil Nadu.
    • This should be either a monthly or a weekly assessment.
    • In February 2007, the CWDT issued its final award, detailing water allocations among the four states in the Cauvery basin based on an overall availability of 740 TMC in a typical year.
    • Karnataka and Tamil Nadu expressed discontent with the tribunal’s judgement.
    • In 2018 Supreme Court declared the Cauvery River a national resource and upheld the water-sharing arrangements determined by the CWDT.
What is the recent issue?
  • There has been a recent controversy surrounding the release of water by Karnataka to Tamil Nadu.
  • Tamil Nadu requested the release of 10,000 cusecs of water over 15 days.
  • Karnataka proposed a lower limit of 8,000 cusecs for the same duration due to a decrease in rainfall in the Cauvery catchment.
  • Kodagu, where the Cauvery River originates, experienced a 44% rainfall deficit from June to August, which worsened the situation.
  • To resolve the issue, Tamil Nadu approached the Supreme Court for help in ensuring that Karnataka releases 24,000 cusecs of water from its reservoir.
  • However, Karnataka argued that Tamil Nadu failed to recognize that 2023 is a distressed water year rather than a normal water year.

Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal (CWDT)


  • The Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal (CWDT) is a judicial body established by the Government of India.
  • Aims to adjudicate and resolve the water-sharing dispute related to the Cauvery River among the states of Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Puducherry (formerly Pondicherry).
  • The Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal remains a key institution in managing and resolving the water-sharing conflict among the Cauvery basin states.
  • It aims to strike a balance between the needs of the riparian states and the equitable distribution of this vital natural resource.
Key points about the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal
  • Establishment
    • The CWDT was constituted on June 2, 1990, under the Inter-State River Water Disputes Act of 1956.
    • The Act empowers the Indian government to set up tribunals to resolve disputes over the sharing of river waters between states.
  • Composition
    • The tribunal is typically composed of a chairman and other members with expertise in relevant fields, such as water resources engineering, agriculture, and law.
    • The chairman is usually a retired judge of the Supreme Court of India.
  • Mandate
    • The primary mandate of the CWDT is to determine the water-sharing arrangement among the Cauvery basin states.
    • It assesses the availability of water, the needs of each state, and the equitable allocation of water resources.
  • Functions
    • The CWDT conducts hearings, collects data, and examines evidence presented by the concerned states.
    • It then formulates recommendations and a final award that outlines the water-sharing formula to be followed during normal years and distress years.
  • Interim Orders
    • While the tribunal deliberates on the dispute, it can issue interim orders to regulate water releases.
    • These interim orders are designed to prevent conflicts and ensure that each state receives its allocated share of water.
  • Challenges
    • Resolving the Cauvery water dispute has proven to be challenging due to the changing water availability, the needs of the riparian states, and the emotive nature of the issue.
    • The tribunal’s recommendations and orders have been met with protests and legal challenges.
  • Supreme Court Appeals
    • The final award of the CWDT can be challenged in the Supreme Court of India by any of the disputing parties.
    • Over the years, the Supreme Court has played a significant role in interpreting and enforcing the tribunal’s decisions.

About Cauvery River 


  • Origin
    • The Kaveri River or Cauvery River originates in the Brahmagiri Hills of the Western Ghats in Karnataka.
    • It is formed by the confluence of two small streams, the Bhavani and the Amravati.
  • Course
    • The river flows eastward through Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and a small part of Kerala.
    • It covers a total distance of approximately 800 kilometres (500 miles) before reaching the Bay of Bengal.
  • Tributaries
    • The Kaveri River has several tributaries, including the Kabini River, Hemavati River, Shimsha River, Arkavathy River, and the Moyar River.
    • These tributaries contribute to the river’s flow and are important for irrigation and water supply.
  • Importance
    • The Kaveri River is of immense significance to the region.
    • It serves as a major source of water for irrigation, agriculture, and drinking water supply for millions of people in Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.
    • It also supports hydropower generation and sustains the livelihoods of farmers.
  • Cauvery Basin
    • The basin of the Kaveri River is known as the Cauvery Basin.
    • It covers parts of Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Puducherry.
    • The river and its tributaries provide water for irrigation in this agriculturally productive region.
  • Wildlife
    • The Kaveri River basin is home to diverse flora and fauna.
    • It supports several wildlife sanctuaries and national parks, including the Bandipur National Park and Nagarhole National Park in Karnataka and the Mudumalai National Park in Tamil Nadu.
  • Religious Significance
    • The river is considered sacred by many and is associated with numerous temples and religious rituals in the region.
    • The town of Talakaveri in Karnataka is believed to be the source of the river and is a place of religious importance.

Cauvery Water Dispute upsc


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