Introduction
• The Cauvery water dispute is one of India’s most prominent inter state river conflicts
• It primarily involves Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, with Kerala and Puducherry as additional stakeholders
• The dispute centres on sharing of Cauvery river water for irrigation, drinking and other uses
• It reflects challenges of federalism, water scarcity and competing regional interests
Geographical Context
• The Cauvery river originates at Talakaveri in the Kodagu district of Karnataka
• It flows through Karnataka and Tamil Nadu before draining into the Bay of Bengal
• It is a rain fed river dependent heavily on the southwest monsoon
• Major reservoirs include Krishnaraja Sagar in Karnataka and Mettur Dam in Tamil Nadu
Historical Background
Early Agreements
• The dispute traces back to 1892 between the Madras Presidency and the princely state of Mysore
• In 1924, a water sharing agreement was signed allowing Mysore to build dams
• The agreement had a validity of 50 years and expired in 1974
Post Independence Developments
• After state reorganisation, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu inherited earlier arrangements
• Karnataka argued that the old agreements were biased towards Tamil Nadu
• Increasing demand for irrigation intensified the conflict
Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal
• Constituted in 1990 under the Inter State River Water Disputes Act, 1956
• Tasked with resolving water sharing among Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Puducherry
Final Award 2007
• Tamil Nadu allocated 419 TMC
• Karnataka allocated 270 TMC
• Kerala allocated 30 TMC
• Puducherry allocated 7 TMC
Supreme Court Verdict 2018
• Supreme Court modified the tribunal’s award
• Karnataka received an additional 14.75 TMC
• Final allocation out of total 740 TMC
• Karnataka 284.75 TMC
• Tamil Nadu 404.25 TMC
• Kerala 30 TMC
• Puducherry 7 TMC
• The arrangement is valid for 15 years
Cauvery Water Management Authority
• Established in 2018 under Section 6A of the Inter State River Water Disputes Act
• Created to implement the tribunal award and Supreme Court judgment
Functions
• Ensures distribution and regulation of Cauvery water
• Supervises operation of reservoirs
• Monitors water release from Karnataka to Tamil Nadu
• Works with Cauvery Water Regulation Committee for implementation
Cauvery Water Regulation Committee
• Assists the authority in monitoring daily water levels and inflows
• Collects real time data from reservoirs
• Ensures adherence to water release schedule
Water Sharing Mechanism
• Water is released according to a monthly schedule
• In a normal year, Karnataka releases around 177.25 TMC to Tamil Nadu
• During the southwest monsoon period, higher releases are mandated
• Disputes intensify during deficit rainfall years
Mekedatu Reservoir Project
• Proposed by Karnataka for drinking water supply to Bengaluru and power generation
• Tamil Nadu opposes the project fearing reduced downstream flow
• Issue is under judicial and inter state consideration
Key Issues in the Dispute
• Upstream downstream conflict between states
• Dependence on monsoon rainfall
• Agricultural dependency in Tamil Nadu
• Increasing urban water demand in Karnataka
• Lack of trust and political interference
• Absence of effective distress sharing formula
Challenges
• Variability in rainfall and climate change impacts
• Enforcement limitations of tribunal and authority decisions
• Data transparency and real time monitoring gaps
• Political mobilisation around water issues
• Competing demands from agriculture and urban sectors
Way Forward
• Develop a scientific distress sharing formula for drought years
• Strengthen authority of Cauvery Water Management Authority
• Improve real time data sharing between states
• Promote efficient irrigation and water conservation
• Encourage crop diversification in water intensive regions
• Reduce politicisation and adopt cooperative approach
