Daily Current Affairs : 26-September-2023
The recent directive from the Supreme Court, instructing Karnataka to release 5,000 cubic feet per second (cusecs) of water from the Cauvery river to Tamil Nadu for 15 days, has once again thrust the longstanding Cauvery water dispute into the limelight. This decision is in line with the recommendations of the Cauvery Water Regulation Committee (CWRC) and the Cauvery Water Management Authority (CWMA).
However, this directive has sparked strong reactions in Karnataka, the upper riparian State. In this essay, we will delve into the intricacies of the Cauvery water sharing issue, highlighting the challenges faced by both Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, and propose a way forward.
The Cauvery Water Sharing System
The Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal (CWDT) finalized its award in 2007, and the Supreme Court reinforced its judgment in 2018, providing a framework for sharing Cauvery river water. The system allocates water based on a total availability of 740 thousand million cubic feet (tmc ft) in a normal year, distributed as follows:
- Karnataka: 284.75 tmc ft
- Tamil Nadu: 404.25 tmc ft
- Kerala: 30 tmc ft
- Puducherry: 7 tmc ft
- Environmental protection and escapages: 10 tmc ft
Tamil Nadu’s share of 404.25 tmc ft further requires Karnataka to release 177.25 tmc ft, primarily during the southwest monsoon season (June to September) at Biligundulu, located on the inter-State border.
Challenges in Karnataka
This year’s southwest monsoon has posed significant challenges for Karnataka, especially in its south interior region, where the Cauvery river originates. The region has faced a rainfall deficit of 27%, as per the India Meteorological Department. The catchment areas of Cauvery and its tributary, Kabini, recorded even higher deficits of 43% and 56%, respectively.
Challenges in Tamil Nadu
As the lower-riparian State in the Cauvery basin, Tamil Nadu heavily relies on water releases from Karnataka, particularly during the southwest monsoon due to the region’s rain shadow status. This year, Tamil Nadu received only 40.76 tmc ft compared to its normal entitlement of 112.11 tmc ft. Despite accounting for monsoon failures, Tamil Nadu asserts that it should have received an additional 7.8 tmc ft of water. This shortfall impacts irrigation, affecting crops like kuruvai, and poses a threat to the drinking water supply in several districts.
The Way Forward
To address these challenges, it is imperative for the CWMA, along with all concerned parties, to formulate a distress-sharing formula. However, disagreements exist regarding the parameters that should shape this formula. In light of the current crisis, the CWMA should take the lead in facilitating a consensus among stakeholders to develop a viable solution.
Important Points:
- The Supreme Court’s recent directive to Karnataka to release 5,000 cusecs of Cauvery river water to Tamil Nadu has reignited the Cauvery water dispute.
- The dispute revolves around the allocation of Cauvery river water among the riparian states, primarily Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.
- The Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal (CWDT) and Supreme Court judgments of 2007 and 2018 provide the framework for water sharing.
Cauvery Water Allocation:
- Total available water in the Cauvery basin in a normal year is 740 tmc ft.
- Allocation in tmc ft:
- Karnataka: 284.75
- Tamil Nadu: 404.25
- Kerala: 30
- Puducherry: 7
- Additional allocation for environmental protection and escapages: 10 tmc ft.
- Karnataka’s responsibility to release 177.25 tmc ft of water to Tamil Nadu, primarily during the southwest monsoon season.
Challenges in Karnataka:
- South interior Karnataka, where the Cauvery river originates, faced a 27% rainfall deficit.
- The catchment areas of Cauvery and Kabini experienced deficits of 43% and 56%, respectively.
Challenges in Tamil Nadu:
- Tamil Nadu, as the lower-riparian State, depends heavily on water releases from Karnataka.
- Received only 40.76 tmc ft compared to its normal entitlement of 112.11 tmc ft.
- Ongoing monsoon failures have resulted in a shortfall of 7.8 tmc ft, impacting irrigation and drinking water supply.
The Way Forward:
- The Cauvery Water Management Authority (CWMA) should work towards formulating a distress-sharing formula.
- Disagreements exist over the parameters for the formula.
- CWMA should take the lead in facilitating consensus among stakeholders to resolve the dispute.
Why In News
The Supreme Court has directed Karnataka to maintain the release of 5,000 cubic feet per second (cusecs) of water from the Cauvery river to Tamil Nadu for a duration of 15 days, aligning with the recommendations of both the Cauvery Water Regulation Committee (CWRC) and the Cauvery Water Management Authority (CWMA). This ruling has stirred considerable controversy within certain segments of Karnataka, which is an upper riparian state.
MCQs about Resolving the Cauvery Water Dispute
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What is the recent Supreme Court directive regarding the Cauvery river water dispute?
A. Karnataka to stop releasing water to Tamil Nadu
B. Karnataka to release 5,000 cusecs of water to Tamil Nadu for 15 days
C. Tamil Nadu to release water to Karnataka
D. Tamil Nadu to receive 5,000 cusecs of water from Kerala
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According to the Cauvery Water Allocation, how much water is allocated to Tamil Nadu in a normal year?
A. 177.25 tmc ft
B. 404.25 tmc ft
C. 30 tmc ft
D. 56% of the total available water
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What challenges did Karnataka face in the context of the Cauvery water dispute mentioned in the essay?
A. A surplus of rainfall in the catchment areas
B. South interior Karnataka experiencing a significant rainfall surplus
C. A 27% rainfall deficit in south interior Karnataka
D. The Cauvery river originating in Kerala
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Why does Tamil Nadu rely heavily on water releases from Karnataka during the southwest monsoon season?
A. Tamil Nadu receives excessive rainfall during this season
B. Karnataka diverts water away from Tamil Nadu during this season
C. Tamil Nadu falls under a rain shadow region during this season
D. Tamil Nadu has abundant groundwater resources during this season
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