Even as a storm is gathering in Karnataka and Tamil Nadu over the Cauvery waters, sober minds call for an amicable and a permanent solution to the water shortage in both the States which is likely to become perennial.
When the tussle is on for sharing about 400 thousand million cubic feet (tmcft), about four times the quantum of water of the west-flowing rivers of Karnataka remain unutilised, laments N. Natarajan, author of two books on the Cauvery issue and adviser to the Cauvery Family.
“It would a distinct possibility to evolve an amicable solution if both the States were to cooperate and utilise the 13 west-flowing rivers in Karnataka that run off into the Arabian Sea,” he asserts.
A former PWD superintending engineer, who has served in the Cauvery basin for decades together, Mr Natarajan quotes C. S. Kuppuraj, former chief engineer, Tamil Nadu PWD, saying that as much as 2,000 tmcft runs off into the Arabian Sea from Karnataka of which “50 per cent to 75 per cent is wasted into the sea.”
Basing his calculations on the particulars provided by the Karnataka government to the Tribunal, Mr. Natarajan estimates that the total availability of water in Karnataka because of its seven basins is 3,475 tmcft.
Of that, the 13 west-flowing rivers, including Kali, Sharavathi, Chakra, Nethravathi, Varahi, Mahadayi, Bedthi, Aghanashini, and Barapole and the areas lying in among these rivers contribute to total 2,000 tmcft.
Of them, the rivers that flow close to the Cauvery basin contribute 923 tmcft.
“There will be no harm to any of the basins like Hemavathi and Lakhmana Theertha by diverting the flows. Besides, the diversion of 300 tmcft to 400 tmcft water would help irrigate substantial land in the basins of the Cauvery, Hemavathi, Herangi and Krishnaraja Sagar (estimated to be 11 lakh acres) that are crying for water.”
Of the 48 taluks of nine districts in Karnataka, lying wholly or partly in Cauvery basin, 28 taluks are identified drought-prone. By the proposed project, it would be possible not only to irrigate all these taluks but also to provide drinking water, he contends.
Mr. Natarajan points out that as early as 2002, then Chief Minister S.M. Krishna announced that the State Government was preparing a blue print to divert the west-flowing rivers to the east to help regain 142 tmcft (Feb 11,2002).
Asked about the technical feasibility of such a project, he says it could be accomplished by laying contour canals and tunnels and through pumped storage schemes.
“But, as this project will cost substantially, it would be prudent for Karnataka and Tamil Nadu to join hands and use the assistance of the Central government as well. When Tamil Nadu could contribute for the Telugu Ganga Project (Krishna Water Supply Project) to get water for Chennai, can’t it try a similar strategy to get water for irrigating thousands of acres in the delta without any strain every year ?” he wonders.
Keywords: Cauvery issue, west-flowing rivers, water shortage
Projects in Sharavathi, Kali, varahi and other rivers have already displaced thousands of families and have done irreversible ecological damage. Any more projects in sensitive western ghats will have serious impact on the climatic conidtions in the southern india.
Kaveri basin is over populated. Drought is a regular natural process and government should set up better food storage and drought relief funds. Even during a drought there will be enough drinking water in Kaveri. Provide compensations to farmers and use water first for drinking purpose. Even Karnataka has no rights to divert westward flowing rivers for its own use. In the name of national integration, overpopulated regions should not exploit less populated regions.
When the Central government has neither a vision nor a plan for national development, it looks at each issue in isolation. Visionary leaders look at the totality of problems and devise holistic solutions. In such a scenario, some people will lose on certain items but gain overall. This suggestion of plans and investments aimed at capturing other waters is an excellent idea. I hope sane people will turn around and teach lessons on national development to leaders.
Diverting the Flood Flows of West Flowing River Nethravathi and near by catchments during June-September to the level of 200 TMC by Four Stage Pumping was Suggested by the Late B.S Bavani Sankar, Water Resource Expert of Karnataka during "Cauvery Family" Meetings.He told that this Scheme is the only way to Solve the Cauvery Crisis .But Karnataka team led by Shri Puttannaiah opposed this.Federation of Farmers Associations in Cauvery Delta Districts initially also part of Cauvery Family supported the move of Late Bhavani Sankar. But this proposal was opposed by Karnataka Team .Further Karnataka team was against releasing Cauvery Water as per Tribunal Interim Order during June-September 137 TMC the Crucial period for Both Kuruvai&Samba irrigation in Tamilnadu.So We left the Cauvery Family.Late.Bavani Sankar was also side lined by the Madras Institute of Development Studies(MIDS) the Organizer of The Cauvery Family.Mr. Natarajan even now part of The Cauvery Family knows the Truth.
Its great news indeed. The Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Central Governments should join hands to divert the above said (13) west flowing rivers in order to amicably settle this dispute and share the superfluous water to the best use for these states and even for Kerala state. will they do it real fast and prove their gusto? Let's hope !
Jayaji in the meantime should unilaterally announce to Karnataka and Central Governments that she is ready to extend its share of finance for the project for which she may even ask for the hand of World Bank, to step-in.
actually there is lot of opportunities to prevent wastage of river waters flowing into seas. It is high time that we could have undertaken redistributing by interlinking of river systmes by an intelligent linkages, thereby preventing flooding in north / northeastern states and diverting to southern regions.When chinese can execute mega projects like 3 gorges dam why we shold lag. vajpaye had a vision to do interlinking of river system, had he been voted to power for a second term we could have undertaken this project.
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