Inter-state water dispute- a way for solution

Inter-state water dispute- a way for solution

'When there is a judicial order one cannot go against the order. But the order can be reviewed by the Apex court depending on the existing circumstance'. This is the position in the Kaveri water issue. This is one of the long standing dispute. The Tribunal has passed a final order. In letters there may be a finality but in the minds of the people of both the Karnataka and Tamilnadu states there is no end to the dispute. It is never ending and  it may be aggravated because of scarcity of water in the river basin due to shortage of rainfall. To avoid or end the dispute, I am of the opinion that all the concerned states shall jointly take up a project incorporating the following issues.
i) To develop forestry in the regions of Kavery River basin. Thereby we will get sufficient rain and all the concerned states are able to enjoy their right to water.
ii) To increase the storage capacity securing the future requirement of water.It may be possible by increasing height of the dam or by deepening the catchment area. Deepening is not feasible as its a costly affair.
iii) To maintain sufficient and continuous inflow and outflow of water. It is possible by development of forestry in the regions of river basin in all the concerned states and by maintaining proper storage of water.
iv) To keep regular watch and made it mandatory that the industries and agriculturists and other users of river water must not extract the water directly from the river or from well or bore well within the vicinity of 500 meters from the river bed.
v) To adopt the system to use the water in a conditioned manner, i.e , to see that the water should not be used beyond the requirement and unnecessarily.
vi) To impose a restriction on extension and growth city limits. With this the population of the city area will be maintained in an orderly manner.It also helps to provide basic amenities to all in a better manner.
vii) To execute all the above, there shall be an Regulatory Authority consisting of members from all the concerned States.To maintain fairness, equality, impartiality, etc. it is necessary to have members from concerned states.

This may be adopted to all the states where there is interstate water dispute.

How to take up the project?

1. By a joint agreement the concerned states may bring a common program; or
2. The Central Government may enact a legislation in this respect; or
3. The Apex court may by a writ or order direct the State parties to the dispute to take up the program.