Mekedatu Reservoir and the Cauvery Water Dispute
Context
Karnataka has identified 2,500 acres of alternative land in connection with its proposed Mekedatu balancing reservoir project across the Cauvery River. The project aims to supply water to Bengaluru and regulate water storage. However, Tamil Nadu has raised concerns regarding its potential impact on downstream river flows.
The proposal involves several key issues, including land diversion, environmental clearances and the distribution of inter State water rights.
Key Highlights
- The proposed reservoir is located near Kanakapura in Karnataka’s Cauvery basin.
- The project is designed to store approximately 66 TMC of water and has an associated stated power generation potential of 400 MW.
- Karnataka stated that it was identifying land for compensatory arrangements and pursuing the necessary permissions.
- Tamil Nadu has expressed concerns over the possible reduction in downstream water availability and the implications for existing water sharing obligations.
Key Concepts
- Inter State River Water Disputes Act, 1956: Establishes a statutory framework for adjudicating disputes concerning the sharing and use of river waters between States.
- Cauvery Water Management Authority (CWMA): Responsible for implementing applicable water sharing decisions and coordinating water releases under the Cauvery water sharing framework.
- Compensatory Afforestation and Forest Diversion: The use of forest land for non forest purposes generally requires statutory approval along with specified compensatory measures, including afforestation.
Way Forward
- Assess the potential downstream impacts of the project while ensuring compliance with binding water sharing obligations.
- Make ecological, hydrological and resettlement assessments publicly available to ensure transparency and informed decision making.
- Promote cooperative decision making through appropriate inter State mechanisms and competent environmental institutions to address the concerns of both States.