Downloaded From: www.vvrias.com

Daily Current Affairs(National News & Articles)Mullaperiyar Dam : Conflict between Kerala and Tamilnadu!Mullaperiyar dam is located on the confluence of Mullayar River and Periyar river in the districts of Thekkady and Idukki of Kerala. Mullayar is a tributory of Periyar river. The masonry gravity dam was built between 1887-1895 on cardamom hills to change the course of west flowing Periyar river to flow east to provide water to drought prone regions of the Madras Presidency (now state of Tamilnadu). The Periyar National Park in Thekkady is located in the surrounding. Though the dam is physically located in region of Kerala but it is regulated and controlled by Tamilnadu due to the agreement of the lease. Climatic Condition and Historical Background: Tamilnadu is a drought prone region due to it is in the rain shadow zone of Western Ghat. The south west mansoon which brings heavy rain on the Malabar coast in Kerala due to wind (monsoon) facing slops of western ghat does not bring rain in Tamilnadu. The coastal and middle regions of Tamilnadu receive rain by North West Monsoon in winter while monsoon is returning as it absorbs humidity from Bay of Bengal during the course. So, Here we can observe that almost whole of India receives rain during summer but Tamilnadu receives rain in winter and hence Tamilnadu becomes in high need of water for irrigation/domestic purpose. During 19th Centure, there was rule of British colonial govt in Madra Presidency While Native King was ruling the Travancore kingdon. We also know the fact that any agreement between colonial govt and native king would be based upon the unequal terms and inclined towards the benefit of colonial govt. This was also the case with Mullaperiyar Dam. After negotiation of few years, agreement was final in 1986 and as per agreement, following important points were agreed. 1. Travancore would provide 8000 acres of land for the reservoir and another 100 acres to construct the dam. The Madras presidency would be paying Rs 5 per acre per annum as the rent for these 8100 acres and extra Rs 40000 per annum for getting all the rights of waters of Mullaperiyar and It's catchment basin. 2. The lease would be valid for 999 years. 3. Madras Presidency would control and regulate the dam. Comments: 999 years is a very long period and an agreement should not be made for 999 years. Even many flat (house) agreements happen today only for 99 years and we do not know how geographical boundary (like state boundary) can change in 999 years. So, it was a colonial agreement based on colonial principle of unequality.

Downloaded From: www.vvrias.com

Downloaded From: www.vvrias.com

Developments during course of time: Rs 5 per acre and lump sum amount of Rs 40000 per annum became very small amount during course of time. Kerala always raised the demand to revise this rent. Ultimately it got revised in 1970 and since then Tamilnadu has been paying Rs 30 per acre and Rs 12 per Kwatt for generating electricity by Mullaperiyar water in lower camp. In this way, Tamilnadu has been paying around Rs 10 lakhs(Rs 2.5 lakhs for land and Rs 7.5 lakhs for electricity generation) to the Kerala govt since 1970. However the matter has been disputed and pending in the Supreme Court. Reasons for Fear of Dam breaking in minds of Kerala People: 1. Dam is 117 years old and was built by technology of 19th century period. It is tall also. 2. Koyna Accident: In 1967, due to dam induced seismicity in Koyna (Satara Dist of Maharashtra), Koyna Dam got broken which caused death of 180 people and injury to 1500 people. Magnitude of quake 6.5 on Richter scale. This kind of quake comes due to high pressure caused by Dam and It's water on the region beneath it in Lithosphere. The Lithosphere further presses asthenosphere which cause seismicity to be generated. 3. Morbi Dam incident in 1979 when 1800 to 15000 people(by different reports) died due to narrow spillway of around 5600 cu meter/sec however that day heavy rain came which needed around 16000 cu metre/sec spillway. Later spillway was increased to 21000 cu m/sec. 4. Movi Dam 999: It is a movie based on incident of Banqiao dam breaking in China on Ru river due to heavy storm followed by rain. 250000 people washed away immediately. Movie is directed by Sohan Roy (Native of Kerala and living in UAE). It created havoc in minds of Kerala people. 5. An Earthquake of 4.5 magnitude came in 1988 at a distance of 20 km from Mullaperiyar dams 6. Every year few tremors of earth have been occuring near the dam itself. The disputes: 1. Tamilnadu moved to SC in 2006 to maintain water level at 142 ft in the dam to help the irrigation of it's land, Kerala contention was to maintain at 136 ft. Tamilnadu has argued that it has developed 12000 sq km of cultivable land by heavy investment. SC gave verdict to maintain at 142 ft. 2. Kerala Irrigation and Water Conservation (Amendment) Act, 2006 was passed by Kerala assembly after SC verdict to super cede the verdict. It kept 22 dams in the list and Mullaperiyar Dam was kept at top of endanger list. So, It maintained that height of water level could not be raised to 142 ft. 3. In 2009, IIT Roorkee expert team visited and concluded that the dam "was likely to face damage if an earthquake of the magnitude of 6.5 on the Richter scale struck its vicinity when the water level is at 136 feet or more". 4. The change of Govt has took place in Kerala and now the group not in power has planned that they can z fund by donation of the people to construct the new dam. This has caused further agitation. 5. Tamilnadu contention : Kallanai Dam(Grand Anicut, the oldest dam in world) was built in 2nd Century on Cauveri by ancient Chola and still diverting water and in use. So, There should no concern for just 117 years old dam. ( Comment : Kallanai dam is only water diverting dam, so water will not be kept at such a great level like Mullaperiyar which can cause the more pressure on dam wall to break, hence this arguement is not justified). After Seeing all disputes, It seems that the demand of Kerala is genuine and it is not simply the apprehension of Kerala people. They want that either dam should be demolished and reconstructed or it should go for high degree of repair work. The life of people is more important anything else. Also, The previous agreement was colonial in nature based on inequality and should not be continued in that manner but at the same time Tamilnadu is a water deficit state and has to be provided water from Kerala which has water sufficiency ( Like Kerala receives rain from monsoon, many small rivers, backwater etc).

Downloaded From: www.vvrias.com

Downloaded From: www.vvrias.comBefore constructing the new dam there should be agreement between Kerala and Tamilnadu by keeping Central Govt in faith that Kerala will continue to provide water. It may be possible that Kerala may demand some extra rent per year and that is justified as Tamilnadu is getting benefit but that hike in rent should be under a limit so that both stay should be happy.

Downloaded From: www.vvrias.com