Mekedatu project – Battle for the Waters: Karnataka vs Tamil Nadu

Mekedatu Project

The Mekedatu Project is a multipurpose balancing reservoir project that aims to generate electricity and supply drinking water in the region. It involves building a reservoir at Mekedatu in Ramanagara district of Karnataka, which is about 90km away from Bengaluru and 4km ahead of the border with Tamil Nadu. The project has an estimated budget of Rs 9,000 crore. The name Mekedatu means “goat’s leap” in Kannada, which comes from an event that is believed to have been witnessed by a goat that leaped from one side of the gorge to the other.

The project has faced opposition from Tamil Nadu, which has vowed to get it scrapped. The Tamil Nadu Assembly has passed a resolution providing support to all decisions taken to stop the Karnataka government from constructing the Mekedatu dam and providing safeguard to the interests of Tamil Nadu farmers. However, Karnataka has insisted that it will implement the project and take all necessary steps for the same. The project has also faced opposition from environmentalists and farmers in the region.

The Mekedatu project involves building a balancing reservoir near Kanakapura in Ramanagara district. It is planned at Ontigondlu, about 1.5 km from what is known as Mekedatu, at the confluence of Cauvery and Arkavathi rivers, about 90 km southwest of Bengaluru and 4 km from the Tamil Nadu border. The project is expected to store and supply water for drinking purposes for the Bengaluru city and generate around 400 megawatts of power.

Mekedatu

What is the controversy surrounding the Mekedatu project

The Mekedatu Project has been a subject of controversy due to various reasons, including:

• Dispute over water sharing: The project involves building a reservoir near the confluence of the Cauvery and Arkavathi rivers, which has led to a dispute between Tamil Nadu and Karnataka over water sharing. Tamil Nadu, which is embroiled in water disputes with Kerala over Mullaperiyar dam, faces the same challenge with Karnataka over the construction of the Mekedatu dam on the Cauvery basin.
• Dispute between Tamil Nadu and Karnataka: The project has faced stiff opposition from Tamil Nadu, which has vowed to get it scrapped. Tamil Nadu has challenged the project in the Supreme Court on the grounds that it will affect the flow of the Cauvery river and harm the interests of farmers in the state.
• Environmental concerns: The project has also faced opposition from environmentalists and farmers in the region who are concerned about the impact of the project on the ecology of the area and the displacement of people from their land.
• Political rivalry: The project has gained political importance, with different political parties using it as a tool to gain support. The Congress party has blamed the BJP for not taking the project forward, while the BJP has blamed the Congress party for having done nothing on Mekedatu when it was in power between 2013 and 2018.

The controversy surrounding the Mekedatu project has led to tension between Tamil Nadu and Karnataka, with both states taking a firm stand on the issue. While Karnataka has insisted that it will implement the project and take all necessary steps for the same, Tamil Nadu has vowed to get it scrapped and has challenged it in the Supreme Court.

Legal Basis of Mekedatu project Dispute

1.  Inter-State River Water Disputes Act, 1956

According to Tamil Nadu, Karnataka is legally forbidden from obstructing or changing the natural flow of a river under the Inter-State River Water Disputes Act of 1956.

The Inter-State River Water Disputes Act of 1956 is an act of the Indian Parliament enacted under Article 262 of the Constitution of India. The act provides for the adjudication of disputes relating to waters of inter-state rivers and river valleys. The act deals with the subject matter of laws to be made by the Parliament and by the Legislatures of the States. It also provides for the constitution of tribunals to resolve inter-state water disputes.

The act is applicable only to interstate rivers/river valleys, and an action of one state should affect the interests of one or more other states. The Supreme Court shall not question the award or formula given by the tribunal.

 2. Final judgment on the Cauvery water dispute

According to the final judgment on the Cauvery water dispute, it has been firmly established that no irrigation project can commence without obtaining the consent of the lower riparian states.

What is the purpose of the Mekedatu project

The purpose of the Mekedatu Project is to serve as a multipurpose balancing reservoir that has the following objectives:

• Generate electricity: The project aims to generate approximately 400 megawatts of power.
• Supply drinking water: The project is expected to store and supply water for drinking purposes, particularly for the Bengaluru city.
• Political significance: The project has gained political importance, with various political parties using it to gain support.

what is Tamilnadu stance in Mekadatu project

Tamil Nadu has taken a strong stand against the construction of the Mekedatu dam project by Karnataka. They argue that the dam will obstruct the natural flow of water. The Tamil Nadu government has approached the Supreme Court to challenge a National Green Tribunal order that allowed Karnataka to prepare a detailed project report for the Mekedatu dam. Recently, the Tamil Nadu government filed a petition in the Supreme Court seeking a direction to the Cauvery Water Management Authority (CWMA) to restrain any discussion on Karnataka’s Detailed Project Report (DPR) for the Mekedatu balancing reservoir project during its meeting on June 17.

The Tamil Nadu Assembly has also passed a resolution in support of efforts to halt the construction of the Mekedatu dam and protect the interests of Tamil Nadu farmers. Despite the opposition, Karnataka has remained firm in its commitment to implementing the project and taking all necessary steps to proceed with it.

What is the Karnataka stance on the Mekedatu project

The Karnataka government has taken a strong stance in favor of implementing the Mekedatu project. The Karnataka has stated that the resolution passed in the Tamil Nadu Assembly holds no value, and Karnataka is determined to proceed with the Mekedatu project. Karnataka claims that Mekedatu is essential for Karnataka, particularly to address the drinking water problem in Bengaluru, the Mekedatu project will benefit not only Bengaluru but also the farmers of Tamil Nadu. However, Tamil Nadu continues to oppose the construction of the dam, claiming that it will disrupt the natural flow of water.

What is the current status of the Mekedatu project

The current status of the Mekedatu project is as follows:

• Contention between Tamil Nadu and Karnataka: The project has been a subject of dispute between Tamil Nadu and Karnataka, with Tamil Nadu opposing the construction of the dam due to concerns about the obstruction of natural water flow.
• Karnataka’s commitment: The Karnataka government remains committed to implementing the Mekedatu project despite opposition.
• Legal challenges: The Tamil Nadu government has taken the matter to the Supreme Court, challenging a National Green Tribunal order that allowed Karnataka to prepare a detailed project report for the Mekedatu dam project.

The current status of the Mekedatu project is characterized by ongoing disputes and legal proceedings between the involved parties, with Karnataka determined to proceed while Tamil Nadu continues to oppose it.

What is the role of the Cauvery Water Management Authority in the Mekedatu project

The Cauvery Water Management Authority (CWMA) plays a significant role in the Mekedatu project. Here are the key points regarding the role of CWMA:

• Taking up the Mekedatu project: The CWMA is responsible for overseeing the implementation of the Mekedatu project, which is a multi-purpose balancing reservoir project.
• Ensuring water allocation: The CWMA, ensures the proper allocation of water as per the orders of the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal and the Supreme Court.
• Water supply and power generation: The Mekedatu project aims to store and supply water for drinking purposes, particularly for the Bengaluru city. Additionally, the project is expected to generate around 400 megawatts of power.
• Decision-making authority: The Solicitor General of India, Tushar Mehta, has affirmed that the CWMA has the power and authority to make decisions regarding the Mekedatu project.

Overall, the CWMA plays a vital role in overseeing water allocation, monitoring project implementation, and ensuring compliance with legal decisions related to the Mekedatu project.

What is the environmental impact of the Mekedatu project

The Mekedatu project has raised significant concerns regarding its environmental impact. Here are some key points regarding the environmental aspects:

• Submerging of wildlife sanctuary and forests: The project involves submerging a significant area of the Cauvery Wildlife Sanctuary (CWS), including revenue land. This would result in the loss of habitat for wildlife, potentially leading to increased human-animal conflicts. Additionally, around 5,000 hectares of forest would be submerged, causing a negative impact on the biodiversity of the region.
• Ecological disaster: Experts have expressed concerns that the Mekedatu project could have disastrous consequences. The submergence of forests and the alteration of river flow could lead to ecological imbalances and have long-term negative effects on the ecosystem.
• Salinity and downstream impact: Mistakes made in previous projects, such as the Sharavathi project, have resulted in increased salinity in rivers, ponds, and even the ocean downstream. This can have adverse effects on aquatic life, including fish harvesting.

While the Mekedatu project aims to store and supply water for drinking purposes in Bengaluru and generate power, the potential environmental consequences and ecological impacts have become areas of significant contention and opposition.

A brief timeline about the Mekedatu project