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The decades-long Kaveri water sharing dispute between India’s southern states Karnataka and Tamil Nadu has once again reached the doorstep of the country’s Supreme Court. During the hearing of this much debated and sensitive case, the Supreme Court has given very important and blunt advice to the ruling government of Tamil Nadu. The court has stated in clear terms that when it comes to water allocation and management of natural resources among states, all parties must take into account both legal and practical aspects. This issue of Kaveri river water is not just about the need of irrigation and drinking water between two states, but it has also become a big test of the country’s federal structure and mutual cooperation. After this recent stand of the Supreme Court, the stir has intensified in the political circles of both the states and among the farmers, because everyone wants to know what effect this long legal and administrative battle is going to have in the future.
What is Cauvery water dispute and why does this issue keep flaring up?
The story of the Kaveri river water dispute is quite old, with its roots going back to the agreements of the British era. Both the states of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu depend heavily on the waters of the Kaveri River to irrigate their agricultural lands and quench the thirst of their urban population. The problem becomes serious when there is less rainfall during the monsoon season or the water level in the reservoirs of the Cauvery basin falls below the prescribed quota. In such a situation, the Tamil Nadu government demands that it should get its entire allotted share of water on time, so that the crops of the farmers in its delta areas do not get ruined. On the other hand, Karnataka’s argument is that there is a dire need of water to meet the drinking water needs of its own farmers and a big metropolis like Bengaluru, which leads to a situation of tussle between the two governments and farmer organizations every year.
Hearing in the Supreme Court and matters presented before the Tamil Nadu government
In the latest legal process, when the Tamil Nadu government approached the Supreme Court on the issue of Cauvery Water Management Authority (CWMA) directions and water release, the court took a very balanced and logical approach. Understanding the seriousness of the matter, the Supreme Court judges said that the solution to the water crisis cannot be found every time by relying only on court orders, but for this, scientific data, monsoon status and the ground realities of both the states will also have to be accepted. The court told the Tamil Nadu government that it should focus on promoting modern technology in water management and agricultural practices, such as drip irrigation or low water consumption crops, so that extreme distress situations do not arise even in years of drought or low rainfall.
Reactions of farmers and political parties of both the states
This entire incident is witnessing sharp reactions from farmer unions and political parties of both Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. Farmers in Tamil Nadu say that if they do not get Cauvery water on time, the area called the paddy bowl of the Cauvery delta region will be on the verge of becoming barren. On the other hand, the farmers and leaders of Karnataka believe that when the water level in the state’s dams itself is very low, then how can they give water to the neighboring state while keeping their people thirsty. This linguistic, regional and political tension between the two states often flares up during the election season, leaving the common people and farmers in the lurch.
Long term solution to water crisis and the way forward
Experts have long believed that a permanent solution to inter-state water disputes like the Cauvery cannot emerge from a single order or political rhetoric. For this, the country needs to work rapidly on long-term strategies like watershed management, groundwater recharge, river interlinking projects and rain water harvesting. This recent stand of the Supreme Court also indicates that states will have to learn to utilize every drop of water properly. Unless Indian states change traditional and water-wasting practices of agriculture and water use, such water disputes will continue to rear their heads in court and on the streets from time to time, which policy makers will have to seriously consider.