The Cauvery River, often referred to as the "Ganges of the South," holds great significance for the southern Indian states of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. This mighty river traverses through their territories, providing life-sustaining water for millions of people and serving as a vital resource for agriculture. However, the Cauvery water dispute has cast a shadow over the river's peaceful flow for Sesquicentennial.

Background of the Cauvery River Dispute: A 150-Year Journey

The Cauvery water dispute's historical roots are deep, dating back 150 years. This section provides an overview of its evolution and key milestones:

River Cauvery (Kaveri): The Cauvery River, also known as 'Ponni' in Tamil, originates on the Brahmagiri Hill of the Western Ghats in southwestern Karnataka, flows through Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, and eventually drains into the Bay of Bengal through Pondicherry. Its major tributaries include the Arkavathi, Hemavathi, Shimsa, and Harangi on the left bank, and the Lakshmantirtha, Suvarnavati, Noyil, Bhavani, Kabini, and Amaravathi on the right bank.

The Dispute's Genesis: The Cauvery water dispute is rooted in two significant agreements from the colonial era. The arbitration agreements of 1892 and 1924 between the then Madras presidency and Mysore established the fundamental principle that the upper riparian state (Mysore, now Karnataka) must secure consent from the lower riparian state (Madras, now Tamil Nadu) for any construction activity, including the building of reservoirs, on the river Cauvery.

Conflict Escalation: The Cauvery water dispute escalated in 1974 when Karnataka began diverting water from the Cauvery without Tamil Nadu's consent. This marked the beginning of a long and protracted legal battle over water allocation.

Role of the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal (CWDT): To address the escalating conflict, the Indian government constituted the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal (CWDT) in 1990. The tribunal's primary objective was to resolve the contentious issue of water allocation among the riparian states.

Final Award of 2007: After 17 years of deliberation, the CWDT issued its final award in February 2007. This award outlined the sharing of Cauvery water among the four riparian states—Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Kerala, and Puducherry—in both normal and distress years, considering the total availability of 740 TMC in a normal year.

Allocations Specified: The CWDT's allocation of water among the four states is as follows: Tamil Nadu - 404.25 TMC, Karnataka - 284.75 TMC, Kerala - 30 TMC, and Puducherry - 7 TMC.

Supreme Court Intervention in 2018: In 2018, the Supreme Court declared the Cauvery River a national asset and largely upheld the water-sharing arrangements determined by the CWDT. It also directed the Central Government to notify the 'Cauvery Water Management Scheme.'

Establishment of the Cauvery Water Management Authority: In response to the Supreme Court's directive, the Central Government notified the 'Cauvery Water Management Scheme' in June 2018. This scheme led to the establishment of the 'Cauvery Water Management Authority' and the 'Cauvery Water Regulation Committee,' aiming to regulate water allocation and usage.

The Recent Conflict: Tamil Nadu's Appeal to the Supreme Court

The Cauvery water dispute is a recurring issue, often exacerbated by variations in monsoon rainfall. Recently, Tamil Nadu once again sought the Supreme Court's intervention in resolving the dispute. Their appeal revolved around two key demands:

1. Release of 24,000 Cusecs of Water: Tamil Nadu urgently requested Karnataka to release 24,000 cubic feet per second (cusecs) of Cauvery water daily. This plea stemmed from the pressing need to support the standing crops of Tamil Nadu's farmers.

2. Adherence to CWDT's Allocation: Additionally, Tamil Nadu insisted that Karnataka should ensure the release of 36.76 TMC (thousand million cubic feet) of water, as stipulated for September 2023, based on the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal's (CWDT) final award of February 2007. It's worth noting that this allocation had been modified by the Supreme Court in 2018.

Karnataka's Response and Explanation

Karnataka's stance in response to Tamil Nadu's appeal was firm and based on several key arguments:

1. Reduced Inflow Due to Poor Rainfall: Karnataka pointed to a significant challenge - poor inflow of water into the Cauvery River. This deficiency was primarily attributed to reduced rainfall in the Cauvery catchment area, which includes the origin point, Kodagu. Reports indicated a 44% rainfall deficit in Kodagu from June to August.

2. Counterproposal: In response to Tamil Nadu's request for 24,000 cusecs, Karnataka suggested a reduced release of 8,000 cusecs of water for the same 15-day duration. This proposal stood in contrast to Tamil Nadu's demand for 10,000 cusecs.

3. Rejection of Distress-Sharing Formula: Karnataka firmly rejected Tamil Nadu's distress-sharing formula demand, setting the stage for a protracted dispute.

Implications of the Conflict

The Cauvery water dispute has significant implications for both Karnataka and Tamil Nadu: Tamil Nadu's farmers, heavily reliant on Cauvery water for irrigation, are in a precarious situation as the Mettur reservoir holds only 20 TMC of water, sufficient for just ten days. The Supreme Court's decision in this matter carries immense importance in resolving the complex dispute. It has the power to shape the future of water allocation between the two states. Collaborative solutions are crucial for achieving equitable water management and resolving conflicts, not only between Karnataka and Tamil Nadu but also among all states sharing the Cauvery River.

Cauvery Water Sharing: A Complex Monthly Schedule

To comprehend the ongoing conflict, it's essential to understand the framework governing the distribution of Cauvery River water between Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. A meticulously designed monthly schedule plays a pivotal role in water allocation. In a "normal" water year: Karnataka is obliged to release a total of 177.25 TMC (thousand million cubic feet) of water to Tamil Nadu from June to May. Within this annual quota, a significant portion, specifically 123.14 TMC, is earmarked for the monsoon months of June to September. Disputes typically flare up during the southwest monsoon season when rainfall falls short of expectations, highlighting the vulnerability of this meticulously structured system.

Bangalore and Karnataka Bandh

The losses estimated by the industry bodies for the two-day bandh amount to Rs 4,000 crore. This is a clear warning pointing out that the move may cripple the economy, which has very recently recovered from the pandemic. According to the Federation of Karnataka Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FKCCI), it will take a business entity at least a week to make up for losses from just one day of the bandh. About 80 percent of Bengaluru's industries have agreed to close for a day on Tuesday (September 26) in light of the Cauvery issue's origins and sentiments, but they are hesitant to close again on Friday but anyhow the entirety of the state of Karnataka is on strike Friday (September 29). Some Minor reports of violence and Vandalism surfaced during the tuesday strike so the commissioner of police Mr. Dayand imposed Section 144 in Bangalore and its outskirts.

Conclusion: Seeking Equitable Solutions

The Cauvery water dispute remains a complex and enduring issue, with recent developments once again bringing it to the forefront. Tamil Nadu's appeal to the Supreme Court underscores the urgent need to address water allocation challenges exacerbated by varying monsoon patterns and increasing water demands.

As we navigate the intricacies of this dispute, it is essential to recognize the historical context and the efforts made over the years to find a fair and equitable solution. Collaborative and diplomatic solutions are crucial, not just between Karnataka and Tamil Nadu but among all states sharing the Cauvery River's waters. Only through cooperation and adherence to established agreements and legal directives can we hope to ensure a sustainable and equitable future for this vital water resource that sustains millions of lives in southern India.

The Cauvery Water Dispute: Tamil Nadu VS Karnataka and the Complex History

In this blog, we delve into the recent developments of the Cauvery water conflict, with a focus on Tamil Nadu's appeal to the Supreme Court for intervention the verdict and its consequences , and we also unravel the intricate historical background of this enduring dispute.