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Nadu.I will try my level best to address this issue without any bias.
What is the problem?
States of Karnataka (K), Kerala (M), Tamil Nadu (T) and Puduchery (P) are riparian states
of the river Kaveri,claims for water of Kaveri [6]
Karnataka (K): 425 billion ft
Tamil Nadu(T): 566 billion ft
Kerala (M) : 100 billion ft
Puduchery (P): 10 billion ft
Total requirement of the water by all these states comes around 1100 billion ft
but average estimated water available in the river is around 730 billion ft.
Kaveri water is very crucial for the states Karnataka & Tamil Nadu as most of
the farmers in the Kaveri delta dependent on the water. Considering the fact
that significant area of these regions of both the states comes under drought
prone area, water of Kaveri is very essential.
Approximately, 30% of the water river sources are in Tamil Nadu and 53%
are in Karnataka. Approximately 54% of the river basin area is in Tamil Nadu
and 42% is in Karnataka [5]. Since maximum water resources of Kaveri comes
under Karnataka, state wants to use the maximum extent of water. Since Tamil
Nadu has maximum river basin area and using the maximum water from
ancient time, claims for more water from Karnataka.
Whenever I look into facts of Kannadigas and Tamilians, I feel both Karnataka and Tamil
Nadu has some valid points in their arguments. What are their arguments.
What are Karnataka's Arguments ?
Karnataka has 42% of total Kaveri basin area but getting only 37% of total water
basin area of Karnataka comes under drought affected area, whereas only 29%
of the Kaveri basin of Tamil Nadu is drought affected.[2]
Giving water to Tamil Nadu at the cost of Karnataka farmers is not justifiable
during monsoon failed years.
Karnataka gets benefits from South western monsoon and it shares significant
amount of water with Tamil Nadu. Whereas Tamil Nadu gets good amount of
rainfall during North eastern monsoon which need not to be shared with
anyone. This is unfair.
What are Tamil Nadu's Arguments ?
From ancient times Tamil Nadu consumes maximum amount of Kaveri water.
Constructing the dam and using the water for new requirements hamper the
people who are dependent on the water resources. Karnataka should stop
diverting the water to new requirements.
Tamil Nadu has 70% of the geographical area of the Karnataka but it's
states therefore, it cannot be changed now as any such change will have
significant detrimental effects.[4]
Denying the water to Tamil Nadu just considering the farmers of Karnataka is
not correct. As a nation we should share the water in equitable manner to get
equal benefits to both of the states.
Arguments of both of these states are valid considering the fact that both of these states
dependent on the river. Let us analyse some more data before considering any action steps.
How water allocated and utilized?
As per the final guidelines of water tribunal, water get shared from the states as below.[6]
Tamil Nadu : 419 TMC
Karnataka : 270 TMC
Kerala : 30 TMC
Puduchery : 7 TMC
Utilization of water
Kaveri is one of the best utilized river in India. Almost 95% of the water get utilized. Major
portion of the water goes to irrigation (85% approx.) and some extent for drinking water
purposes (15%). Karnataka has major contribution in utilizing the water for drinking
purposes. For example Bangalore, Mandya etc.
Mandya and Mysore utilizes most of the water in Karnataka. Similarly Tanjavur, Tiruvarur,
Nagapattinam and Erode districts of Tamil Nadu utilizes the maximum water for irrigation.
Major parts of these irrigated areas grow water intensive crops like
sugarcane and paddy.
How can we solve the problem ?
Conservation methods like rain water harvesting etc. can reduce the dependency of Kaveri
water upto 10%.
5. Give and take policies
Karnataka also facing similar problems with Maharashtra, where Karnataka gets water by
paying money.[10] Similar-way negotiations can be made between Karrnataka and Tamil
Nadu.
For example, Karnataka can ask for power (since it is facing lot of issues) from Tamil Nadu
for the for the water that is provided. Such policies helps to both of the states.
6. River linking projects
Linking the water access rivers to the river like would be one of the good idea as it increases
the water level of the river. Godavari Kaveri river linking is one of the proposed project.
However, actions to be taken considering the pros and cons of the project into
consideration.[11]
7. Conserve water
There are many ways to reduce the water usage in urban and rural areas. Even for irrigation
purposes. Introducing such effective methods helps to reduce the water usage.