Cauvery Water Dispute: Karnataka Farmers Protest as Government Releases Water to Tamil Nadu

Heavy protests have erupted in the state of Karnataka against the release of Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu in compliance with the directives of the Cauvery Water Management Authority (CWMA). Farmers stated their objection in Mysuru, Mandya, and Chamarajanagar situated in the Cauvery heartland against the government's move.

Cauvery Water Release to Biligundlu, Tamil Nadu

• Earlier, the CWMA had ordered to release of 10,000 cusecs of water from the Cauvery River every day to Tamil Nadu

• However, after the release of water for a few days, Karnataka farmers approached the CWMA emphasizing the inadequate rainfall in the Cauvery basin

• After considering Karnataka's point of view, the CWMA directed the government to release 5,000 cusecs of water daily to Biligundlu village, just at the border of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu

• The CWRC had directed Karnataka to release 5,000 cusecs of water per day for 15 days, from August 29, 2023 to September 12, 2023. 

Cauvery Water Dispute

• Karnataka farmers belonging in and around the Kabini river and Krishnaraja Sagar dam in Mysuru have been staging protests against the release of water to Tamil Nadu

• Farmers in Mandya took out a march raising slogans against the Congress government including Karnataka Chief Minister, Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivkumar, who holds the water resources portfolio

• Farmers in Srirangapatna stood in the Cauvery River, holding water in their palms and raising slogans blaming the state government.

Cauvery River: Karnataka-Tamil Nadu Dispute

The dispute between Karnataka and Tamil Nadu over sharing water from the Cauvery River has been existing for many years. This river serves as a crucial source of both irrigation and drinking water for a substantial population in the region.

To address this issue, the Indian government established the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal (CWDT) on June 2, 1990. The CWDT's objective was to resolve conflicts among Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and Puducherry concerning the allocation of water resources.

The Cauvery River basin is a cross-border region that begins in Karnataka and traverses Tamil Nadu and Pondicherry before eventually flowing into the Bay of Bengal. The entire geographical area that contributes to the Cauvery Basin spans 81,155 square kilometers.