Ripples on the brain

Suppu: Kuppu mama, what is this Mullaperiyar issue? Is it similar to the Cauvery issue?
Kuppu: No pattamma, this issue is slightly different.

Suppu: In what ways?
Kuppu: See, for one, the Periyar river on which the dam has been built is not a multi-state river. Its entire course is in Kerala only. The Mullaperiyar dam is, hence, situated in Kerala.

Suppu: So, Tamil Nadu is not even related to the project?
Kuppu: No, the dam and the water storage area belong to Tamil Nadu and the state is entitled to “all” the water that flows through the river.

Suppu: A river that flows entirely in Kerala whose water belongs to Tamil Nadu? Now that is pretty interesting!
Kuppu: Yes, pre-independence, the Madras Presidency belonged to the British. The Periyar river used to flow in the erstwhile princely state of Travancore. The British realized that waters from the river could be used in the rain shadow and parched areas of Theni, Madurai district, Sivaganga district and Ramanathapuram district. So, the British forced Travancore to sign a treaty in 1886 to lease the dam to the Madras government for 999 years…

Suppu: Doesn’t that sound very familiar?
Kuppu: You’re right. That is very similar to the way the Cauvery water sharing agreement was signed between the Madras Presidency and the princely state of Mysore. Even there, the water sharing agreement initially favoured the British Madras Presidency.
Coming back to Mullaperiyar, then the British constructed the dam to store the water and elaborate tunnels to transfer the water into its territories (under Madras State). The dam that is present now was constructed in the year 1895.

Suppu: Oh, I think I understand. So, post-independence, Kerala wants a share of water that flows in Periyar.
Kuppu: Though Kerala probably wants water from the river, even as late as 1970, they inked an interstate agreement with Tamil Nadu which revalidated the agreement of 1886.

Suppu: So, in effect it agreed that it doesn’t require water from the river. Anyways, they have 43 other rivers and are fed by copious rain from South West monsoon every year, so Kerala need not worry.
Kuppu: Wrong. According to Kerala, the other rivers are “minor rivers” and are not sufficient to meet its demands. They even constructed a Idukki hydel project 50km downstream of Periyar dam. The settlements along the river course have also increased and they require water from the river.

Suppu: Shouldn’t have Kerala government regulated the development in the area around the course of river knowing well that the water from the river is not guaranteed? Isn’t the problem very simple now? Kerala and Tamil Nadu need to enter into another water-sharing agreement…
Kuppu: No Suppu. The world is not as simple as you think, especially if the politicians of the country are involved. In 1979, Kerala discovered leaks in the dam and promptly questioned the safety of the dam. Then, as a matter of precaution, Tamil Nadu was asked to lower the water lever in the reservoir from 142ft to 136ft until measures were taken to strengthen the dam.

Suppu: I see. So, Kerala found an easier short term route to getting more water downstream from the dam instead of laborious re-negotiations with its neighbour. But, mama, isn’t the safety of the dam important to Kerala?
Kuppu: Absolutely correct. That is the reason Tamil Nadu has carried out strengthening activities as was recommended by the CWC (Central Water Commission). As per CWC recommendations, after the strengthening activities are completed, the reservoir can store upto even 152ft.

Suppu: Let me try to guess what would have happened next. After the completion of repair activities, Tamil Nadu would’ve claimed that the storage level can now increased from 152ft whereas Kerala would still doubt the strength of the dam and want the level to be maintained 136ft.
Kuppu: Yes. You’re more intelligent than what I thought. Moreover, in the interim period when the storage was reduced, it has been observed that some property developers have constructed multi-storey structures in the area that was once occupied by the water in the reservoir which has also been inhabited. Moreover, Kerala claims that the additional storage will also threaten the vegetation and the wildlife in the Periyar tiger reserve.
Tamil Nadu took the matter to the Supreme Court which has allowed for the storage level to be increased to 142ft, but Kerala objects to this decision and hence the present “talks”.

Suppu: Mama, I thought talks should take place between two parties, not with the media as a mediator. As you had told me earlier, media conveniently interprets news and views that way it wants. In Kerala, it creates an unnecessary panic everyday by telling the people that the dam might burst any moment now (in fact it has been doing that for that last 15 years). In Tamil Nadu, the same media claims that Kerala wastes the water from Periyar river by draining it into the Arabian sea.
Why can’t these two parties avoid pretensions and take proper actions? Like checking if the strength of dam is an issue at all at the moment. For the to happen, I think Tamil Nadu should realize and accept that it can no longer be the sole beneficiary of water from the dam (and then see if Kerala still has a problem with the dam strength). Then a forward-looking water sharing agreement should be worked out between the states. Instead of doing that the politicians are arguing on a trivial issue.
Mama, whatever happened to Cauvery issue now.
Kuppu: That issue will crop up only if there is a deficient rainfall kannamma. Otherwise there’s no problem.

Suppu: Oh ok. Everything is very clear to me now. Whenever there’s a deficient rainfall Cauvery issue will raise its head. If there’s a normal/excess rainfall, the Mullaperiyar issue will crop up. Shouldn’t it be the other way round? Can’t these issues be looked at better when there’s less sensation surrounding them? Also, shouldn’t Tamil Nadu now simultaneously look at other ways to manage its water resources? For example, Palar and Tamaraparani rivers almost entirely flow in the state. Shouldn’t it improve the storage of rivers like these and use it for agriculture? Instead of desilting the rivers, it is a mute spectator to illegal sand quarrying. Look at how the Cooum river has almost been destroyed. Whenever I think of thatha-paati’s house, that foul smell comes to my mind. Moreover, some people are advocating this river-linking to solve all water problems. Even assuming that herculean engineering feat is achieved, how do we manage the interstate water conflict given the fact that there is no comprehensive water policy in the country even now?
Kuppu: err.. pattamma you are asking too many questions. Why don’t you go to sleep now? If your amma finds out that you have still not slept, she will scold both of us. Here listen to this music and sleep.

“Omana thingal kidavo” song from Bombay Jayashree’s Vatsalyam album plays on the CD player as both of them doze off.

Source: wikipedia, Frontline, Countercurrents