In News
- Recently, the Supreme Court directed the Supervisory Committee to take an immediate and firm decision on the maximum water level that can be maintained at Mullaperiyar dam amidst torrential rains in Kerala.
Background
- The SC was hearing a petition that raised concern over the water level in Mullaperiyar Dam.
- In the past, the control and safety of the dam, and the validity and fairness of the lease agreement of the Mullaperiyar Dam have led to disputes between Kerala and Tamil Nadu.
- Kerala has accused the Tamil Nadu government of “sudden releases” of water several times in the past.
- Origin of Issue: In 1979, a row erupted over the safety of the dam.
- Consequently, in November 1979, a tripartite meeting chaired by the then head of the Central Water Commission, K.C. Thomas decided that water level had to be brought down from the full reservoir level of 152 ft to 136 ft, in order to enable Tamil Nadu to carry out dam strengthening works.
- By mid-1990, Tamil Nadu started demanding restoration of the water level in the Mullaperiyar as it had completed the task assigned to it.
- When no consensus was reached through negotiations, the Supreme Court was approached.
- In two separate judgements, in 2006 and 2014, the apex court held that the water level is raised to 142 ft.
- In the past, the control and safety of the dam, and the validity and fairness of the lease agreement of the Mullaperiyar Dam have led to disputes between Kerala and Tamil Nadu.
Supreme Court Ruling
- The court directed the Supervisory Committee to get to work as there was “an immediate need to specify the maximum water level in the dam” because of the rains.
- It directed all the authorities concerned to interact immediately on an urgent basis on the issue saying it has something to do with lives.
Constitutional Provisions related to Interstate- water dispute
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Mullaperiyar Dam
- It was built in 1895 on the Periyar River in the Idukki district of Kerala.
- It is situated high up in the Western Ghats, adjacent to Kerala’s famed Periyar wildlife sanctuary.
- Mullaperiyar is listed among the world’s big dams that need to be decommissioned in a report by the UN University – Institute for Water, Environment and Health.
- It has been stated that the Mullaperiyar dam, situated in a seismically active area, faces the risk of failure.
- The ageing of large dams is an emerging global development issue as they pose threats to human safety and the environment.
- Decommissioning Mullaperiyar is strongly opposed by Tamil Nadu state, which inherited a lease agreement between the former princely state of Travancore (now Kerala) and the British government.
- The matter is still subjudice in the Supreme Court.
Periyar River
Benefits of Construction of Dams
Environmental Impacts of Dams
Way Forward
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Source: TH
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