Kaveri River dispute is between which states?
VerifiedAnswer: Tamil Nadu & Karnataka
Explanation:
The Kaveri River dispute is one of India's most complex and long-standing inter-state water conflicts, primarily between Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. This dispute has its roots in colonial agreements and has continued for over a century, affecting millions of farmers and people dependent on this sacred river.
The Kaveri River originates in the Western Ghats of Karnataka and flows through Tamil Nadu before emptying into the Bay of Bengal. The dispute began during British rule with the signing of agreements in 1892 and 1924 between the then Mysore state (now Karnataka) and Madras Presidency (now Tamil Nadu). These agreements allocated water shares and established the framework for water usage that continues to influence modern negotiations.
The core of the conflict lies in water allocation during different seasons, particularly during drought years. Tamil Nadu argues that it has historical rights over Kaveri water and depends heavily on it for irrigation of delta regions, especially for rice cultivation. Karnataka contends that as the upper riparian state where the river originates, it should have priority rights, especially for drinking water and industrial needs of its growing cities like Bangalore.
While the primary dispute is between Tamil Nadu and Karnataka, Kerala and Puducherry are also stakeholders in the Kaveri basin. The Kaveri Water Disputes Tribunal was established in 1990 to resolve the conflict. After years of hearings and deliberations, the tribunal delivered its final award in 2007, allocating specific quantities of water to each state. However, implementation challenges and varying interpretations of the award have kept the dispute alive.
The Supreme Court of India has been actively involved in monitoring the implementation of the tribunal's decisions and has made several modifications to ensure equitable distribution. The dispute often intensifies during monsoon failures when water availability decreases significantly, leading to protests and political tensions between the two states.
