VISION

 What is the issue?

The issue of the maximum water level  in the Mullaperiyar dam and the possibility of a dam-break has revived the contyroversy  surrounding the Tamilnadu Kerala relations.

What is the history of  the Mullaperiyar dam?

• The 130-year old Mullaperiyar dam is located on the confluence of the Mullayar and Periyar River in Kerala’s Idukki district.
• It was built by Pennycuick to create a harmonious atmosphere in the east coast by taking the water there and have people cultivate crops.
• Although the dam is located in Kerala, it is operated by Tamil Nadu following an 1886 lease indenture for 999 years that was signed between the Maharaja of Travancore and the Secretary of State for India.

What is the genesis of the dispute?

• In 1979, a problem erupted over the safety of the dam which led to a tripartite meeting that decided to bring the water level from the full reservoir level of 152 ft to 136 ft.
• By mid-1990, Tamil Nadu started demanding restoration of the water level in the Mullaperiyar as it had completed the dam strengthening works.
• When no consensus was reached through negotiations, the Supreme Court was approached.
• The Supreme Court in February, 2006 allowed Tamil Nadu to raise the water level of the dam to 152ft.
• In response to that,Kerala government enacted Irrigation and Water Conservation (Amendment) Act, 2006  and put the second schedule of Mullaperiyar Dam as endangered and fixed its maximum water level to 136ft.
• In 2014, the apex court declared the Act unconstitutional and restrained Kerala from interfering with the rights of Tamil Nadu in raising the water level in the dam to 142 feet.
• The Kerala government has been at many times emphasising the urgent need for the gradual release of water.

What is the standpoint of Kerala government?

• Dam safety- The Mullaperiyar dam suffers from structural issues and the possibility of a dam-break cannot be ruled out.
• The dam is located in an earthquake-prone area and small-time earthquakes that had happened in 1979 and 2011 caused some cracks in the dam.
• The leakage in the dam is another cause of concern.
• The technology which was put into use for constructing the dam 130 years ago was obsolete compared to the sophisticated construction methods used now.
• According to the UN University report, 35 lakh people in Kerala will be directly hit in the case of a dam-break.
• It will also have its impact on the National Periyar Park which hosts some of the endangered species.

What is TamilNadu’s position regarding the dispute?

• For Tamil Nadu the Mullaperiyar dam is like a lifeline for the people of Madras Presidency for irrigation  and drinking
• The dam is also significant for the generation of the power in lower Periyar water station as the region is is shadow and arid.
• So, the government of Tamil Nadu insists on raising the water level in the dam pointing out the failure of crops.
• The government has also asserted that it has full right over the control of the dam.
• Tamil Nadu  has challenged the Kerala’s  proposal for decommissioning of the dam and construction of a new dam.

What are the other river water issues between both the states?

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