The Cauvery water dispute is a long-standing conflict between the Indian states of Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Puducherry over the sharing of the waters of the Cauvery River. The river originates in Karnataka and flows through Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Puducherry.
The dispute dates back to the 19th century, when the British colonial government first tried to mediate the conflict. In 1892, the government issued an agreement that allocated 419 million cubic feet (MCFT) of water to Tamil Nadu and 270 MCFT to Karnataka. However, this agreement was never fully implemented.
In 1924, the government issued another agreement that allocated 440 MCFT of water to Tamil Nadu and 260 MCFT to Karnataka. This agreement was also not fully implemented.
In 1974, the dispute escalated when Karnataka started diverting water from the Cauvery River without Tamil Nadu’s consent. This led to protests and violence in Tamil Nadu.
In 1990, the Government of India constituted the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal (CWDT) to adjudicate the dispute. The CWDT issued its final award in 2007, which allocated 404.25 MCFT of water to Tamil Nadu, 284.75 MCFT to Karnataka, 30 MCFT to Kerala, and 7 MCFT to Puducherry.
The CWDT’s award was challenged by both Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. The Supreme Court of India upheld the award in 2018.
The Cauvery water dispute is a complex issue with no easy solution. The four states involved have different needs and priorities. Karnataka needs water for its industries and agriculture, while Tamil Nadu needs water for its drinking water and irrigation. Kerala and Puducherry also need water for their drinking water and irrigation.
The dispute is likely to continue for many years to come. The four states need to find a way to share the water of the Cauvery River in a fair and equitable manner.
Here are some of the factors that have contributed to the Cauvery water dispute:
* The increasing demand for water: The population of the four states involved in the dispute has been growing rapidly, which has increased the demand for water.
* The changing climate: The climate in the region is becoming drier, which is reducing the availability of water.
* The lack of cooperation between the states: The four states have not been able to cooperate effectively to manage the water resources of the Cauvery River.
* The political factors: The Cauvery water dispute has become a political issue, with each state trying to get the most water for its own people.
The Cauvery water dispute is a serious problem that needs to be resolved. The four states involved need to find a way to share the water of the Cauvery River in a fair and equitable manner. This will require cooperation and compromise from all sides.