KAVERIOrigin

The Kaveri is a large Indian river. The origin of the river is at Talakaveri , Kodagu in Karnataka, flows generally south and east through Karnataka and Tamil Nadu and across the southern Deccan plateau through the southeastern lowlands, emptying into the Bay of Bengal through two principal mouths In Poompuhar , Tamilnadu.

The Kaveri basin is estimated to be 81,155 square kilometres (31,334 sq mi) with many tributaries including the Shimsha, the Hemavati, the Arkavati, Honnuhole , Lakshmana Tirtha, Kabini, Bhavani River, the Lokapavani , the Noyyal and the Amaravati River.

The river's basin covers four states and Union Territories, as follows: Tamil Nadu, 43,856 square kilometres (16,933 sq mi); Karnataka, 34,273 square kilometres (13,233 sq mi); Kerala, 2,866 square kilometres (1,107 sq mi), and Puducherry, 160 square kilometres (62 sq mi)Rising in southwestern Karnataka, it flows southeast some 800 kilometres (500 mi) to enter the Bay of Bengal. East of Mysore it forms the island of Shivanasamudra, on either side of which are the scenic Shivanasamudra Falls that descend about 100 metres (330 ft).

The river is the source for an extensive irrigation system and for hydroelectric power. The river has supported irrigated agriculture for centuries and served as the lifeblood of the ancient kingdoms and modern cities of South India

River courseAfter the river leaves the Kodagu hills and flows onto the Deccan plateau, it forms two islands, Srirangapatna and  Shivanasamudra. First comes the Srirangapatna which forms the sangam and then comes Shivanasamudra. At Shivanasamudra the river drops 98 metres (320 ft), forming the famous Shivanasamudra Falls known separately as Gagana Chukki and Bhara Chukki. Asia's first hydroelectric plant (built in 1902) was on the left falls and supplied power to the city of  Bangalore.

In its course through Karnataka, the channel is interrupted by 12 "anekattu" (dams) for the purpose of irrigation. From the Anekattu at Madadkatte, an artificial channel is diverted at a distance of 116 kilometres (72 mi), irrigating an area of 4,000 hectares (10,000 acres), and ultimately bringing its water supply to the town of Mandya.

Three kilometers away from Srirangapatna, the Kaveri is the basis for the Ranganthittu Bird Sanctuary. Near Srirangapatna is also an aqueduct, the Bangara Doddi Nala, which was constructed in the 17th century by the Wodeyar maharaja of Mysore, Ranadhira Kantirava, in memory of his favorite consort. It is said to be the only aqueduct where the water from a river, dammed upstream, is carried by the aqueduct over the very same river few miles downstream This aqueduct also served as a motorable bridge until 1964.

The river enters Tamil Nadu through Dharmapuri district leading to the flat plains where it meanders. It drops into the Hogenakkal Falls just before it arrives in the town of Hogenakkal in Tamil Nadu. The three minor tributaries, Palar, Chennar and Thoppar enter into the Kaveri on her course, above Stanley Reservoir in Mettur, where the dam has been constructed. It then flows further through the length of Erode district where the river Bhavani, running through the breadth of the district, merges with it. The confluence of the rivers Kaveri, Bhavani and Akash Ganga (mythological) is at the exact place of Bhavani, Tamil Nadu Kooduthurai or Tiriveni Sangamam, Northern part of Erode City.

While passing through Erode, two more tributaries merge. Thirumani Mutharu joins it in a village called Kududurai in Namakkal District. Noyyal and Amaravathi join it in Karur district before it reaches Tiruchirapalli district. Here the river becomes wide, with a sandy bed, and flows in an eastern direction until it splits into two at upper Anicut about 14 kilometres (9 mi) west of Tiruchirappalli. The northern branch of the river is called the Kollidam while the southern branch retains the name Kaveri and then goes directly eastwards into Thanjavur District.

These two rivers join again and form the Srirangam island that is a part of the city of Tiruchirapalli. The fourth oldest functional dam Grand Anicut or Kallanai was present at this place. From Thanjavur, the river splits and goes to few places in the Delta kaveri

Tributaries Hemavati River Noyyal Amaravati River Lokpawni River Malangi River

History Karikala Chola bronze sculpture. Kallanai(Rock dam) built by him is

regarded as the oldest man made dam in mankind's history The Chola king Karikalan has been immortalised as he constructed the bank

for the Kaveri all the way from Puhar(Kaveripoompattinam) to Srirangam. It was built as far back as 1,800 years ago or even more. On both sides of the river are found walls spreading to a distance of 330 metres (1,080 ft). The Kallanai dam constructed by him on the border between Tiruchirappalli and Thanjavur, made with earth and stone, survived for hundreds of years.

In the 19th century, it was renovated on a bigger scale. The name of the historical dam has since been changed to “Grand Anicut” and stands as the head of a great irrigation system in the Thanjavur district. From this point, theKollidam River runs north-east and discharges into the sea at Pazhaiyar, a little south of Chidambaram. From river Kollidam, Manniar and Uppanai branch off at lower Anicut and irrigates a portion of Mayiladuthurai taluk and Sirkazhi taluk in Nagapatnam District. After Grand Anicut, the Kaveri divides into numerous branches and covers the whole of the delta with a vast network of irrigation channels in Nagapatnam and Tiruvarur districts and gets lost in the wide expanse of paddy fields. The Kaveri here is reduced to

an insignificant channel and enters the Bay of Bengal at the historical place of Poompuhar about 13 kilometres (8 mi) north of Tharangampadi

Irrigation

The primary uses of Kaveri is providing water for irrigation, water for household consumption and the generation of electricity.

An estimate at the time of the first Five Year Plan puts the total flow of the Kaveri at 15 cubic kilometres (12,000,000 acre·ft), of which 60 percent was used for irrigation.

The Torekadanahalli pumpstation sends 540 million litres (19,000,000 cu ft) per day of water from Kaveri 100 kilometres (62 mi) to Bangalore.

Stanley Reservoir formed by Mettur Dam, the largest dam in Tamil Nadu

The water for the Kaveri is primarily supplied by monsoon rains. Dams, such as the Krishna Raja Sagara Dam and Mettur Dam, and those on its tributaries such as Banasura Sagar Dam project on a Kabini tributary, store water from monsoon periods and release the water during the dry months. Even so, during the months of February–May, water levels are often quite low, and some channels and distributaries riverbeds may become dry] Flow generally begins to increase in June or July[However, in some years when rains are light, the low river level can lead to agricultural distress in areas dependent upon the Kaveri for irrigation.

The hydroelectric plant built on the left of Sivanasamudra Falls on the Kaveri in 1902 was the first hydroelectric plant in Asia.

The Krishna Raja Sagara Dam has a capacity of 49 tmc ft.and the Mettur Dam which creates Stanley Reservoir has a capacity of 93.4 tmc ft. (thousand million cubic ft)

In August 2003, inflow into reservoirs in Karnataka was at a 29-year low, with a 58% shortfall. Water stored in Krishna Raja Sagara amounted to only 4.6 tmc ft.

Water sharing Kaveri River water dispute

Significance in Hinduism

Kaveri flows near Nimishamba temple, Srirangapattana, Karnataka

A temple and an effigy of Aiyanar, by the Kaveri river in Tamil Nadu

There are several legends about how the river Kaveri came into being. Chapters 11–14 of the Skanda purana (also known as the Kaveri purana) relate many of them. According to the most well known version, when the great ocean was churned by the devas and the asuras in order to obtain amrita, the elixir of life, Lord Vishnu turned into Mohini, a non-pareil of infinite charm and appeal, to distract the asuras and restore the elixir to the devas. Goddess lakshmi also sent along Lopamudre, an apsara to assist Mohini. After the elixir was successfully restored to the devas Lopamudre was brought up by Brahma as his daughter.

After some time Kavera, a sage of renown, came to the Brahmagiri to meditate. Kavera was lonely and prayed to Lord Brahma that he might bless him with a child. Brahma was pleased by his devotion and gave him Lopamudre for a daughter. Lopamudre was renamed Kaveri after the sage.

Kaveri was very keen that her father should have every happiness and prosperity in life and a blessed land full of good and happy people. So she went to the Brahmagiri too and prayed to Lord Brahma that she might turn into a river and flow through the country, pouring her blessings on the people and turning the land green and fertile. She also prayed that her waters might be so holy that all those who took a dip in it might be absolved of all their sins. Brahma granted her both the boons readily and Kaveri was really happy.

But something else was to happen to her first. Sage Agastya happened to see Kaveri when she was deep in meditation on the Brahmagiri. He fell in love with her and asked her to marry him. Although her heart was set on turning into a river of blessings, Kaveri could not refuse Agastya. But she made him promise that if ever he left her alone too long, she would have the right to forsake him and go her way. Agastya promised and kept his word faithfully for some time. But one day he got busy in a theological discussion with his disciples and lost track of time. Kaveri waited patiently for a while but after some hours had passed she jumped into agastya’s special holy tank and flowed from it like a

river. As soon as the disciples of agastya saw what had happened they tried to stop her from flowing away. But Kaveri promptly went underground and appeared again at Bhaganda Kshetra and flowed on toward Valambari and finally into the Bay of Bengal. And it has been worshipped as a sacred river – throughout its course – ever since.

There is yet another interesting belief according to which the river Ganges also joins Kaveri underground once a year, during the Tulamasa, in order to wash herself free of the pollution caused by the crowds of sinners who bathe in her waters all the year round. Kaveri is considered to be as sacred as the Ganges throughout its course, with the same power to wash off all one’s sins. But Bhagamandala, where the three rivers meet, is considered to be the most sacred spot of all. There are temples all along its banks visited by thousands of pilgrims. Kaveri is joined by several rivers, the most important ones being Kummahole, Hemavathi, Lakshmanatirtha, Shimsha etc., it flows into the Bay of Bengal in Thanjavur district in Tamil Nadu.

During the month of Tula, devotees take holy dip (tula snana) in the Cauvery in the pilgrim centers in its banks across the two states of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, most prominent of them being Bhagamandala in Karnataka and Mayavaram in Tamil Nadu. The cult of the river Goddess began in Kodagu and was centered in Bhaganda Kshetra (Bhagamandala).

The three major river islands at Kaveri have a strong Vaishnava heritage, with sculptures of Lord Vishnu in a reclining posture on the legendary seven-headed serpent (Sesha) as his celestial bed (Sheshashayana). These three temples are known as Adi Ranga, Madhya Ranga, and Antya Ranga.

On the banks of the Kaveri is the ancient temple town of Talakad where the holy festival Panchalinga Darshana is held every 12 years and devotees bathe in the Kaveri River.[13]

Geographical location  If you look at the map of India, you will notice that the 765-km-long river cuts across two Indian states, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. It originates at Talacauvery in Kodagu district in Karnataka. While it flows mainly through Karanataka and Tamil Nadu, a lot of its basin area is covered by Kerala and the Karaikal area of Puducherry.

According to the 1892 and the 1924 agreements the river water is distributed as follows:

75 percent with Tamil Nadu and Puducherry 23 percent to Karnataka remaining to go to Kerala

The real problem started after the re-organisation of states post Indian independence. Before that, most matters were settled through arbitration and agreements. Through the late 20th century, Tamil Nadu opposed the construction of dams on the river by Karnataka, and the state in turn wanted to discontinue the water supply to Tamil Nadu. They argued that the 1924 agreement had lapsed when its 50 years were up in 1974 and considering that the river originated in Karnataka, they had better claim over the river. They argued that they were not bound by the agreement struck between the British empire and the Maharaja of Mysore.

Tamil Nadu too had become heavily dependent on the river after they developed millions of agricultural land around the river. They argued that the livelihood of farmers would be affected if there was a change in the distribution of water. In 1972, the Centre agreed to appoint a committee who would collect statistics from each of the states that had the river basin — Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka.

The fact-finding committee found that Tamil Nadu used 566 tmcft (thousand milli cubic feet), Karanataka used 177 tmcft.

In 1976, the states arrived at an understanding that each state would continue using the water according to their previous usage, only now an additional 125 tmcft water would also be saved and shared.

Karnataka argued heavily that the river water should be divided according to international rules, i.e. in equal portions. They suggested that 94 percent could be divided equally between them and the rest could be distributed to Kerala and Puducherry. However Tamil Nadu wanted to stick to the original distribution, according to the 1924 agreement

Origin and political involvement:The debate over sharing Cauvery water predates to the late British era (1890s), wherein the Mysore princely state and the Chennai presidency (which was under the British Raj) had to come into terms with agreeing on a divide. The contention really arose when, in 1910, both states started devising plans for construction of dams. The British arbitrated the issue and defined the respective shares of water, and as to what area of farming lands are to be supported by these. A highly controversial agreement was arrived at, in 1924, and was designed to continue for the following 50 years.

In essence, it is not that the issue has been 'created' for political gains, although arguably, it can serve to provide political mileage in both the states, as a measure to 'win the favor' of the farmers in the states. In the case of this issue, typically each of the states act as one united entity to try and ease the situation for farmers in their own respective states.

Core issue:From Karnataka's perspective, the ruling of the British was unfavorable to them. From Tamilnadu's perspective, their farmers had established extensive farms heavily relying on the pattern of supply of this water source. Despite repeated efforts from the Supreme Court to arbitrate the situation, the most complex situations have been around years with 'monsoon failures', when the pattern of sharing has at times, been undefined and often highly sensitive and contentious.

Facts on sharing:In the 1970s, the Cauvery Fact Finding Committee dug up the core facts around sharing, as the historic 1924 agreement was coming to a close (scheduled to expire 50 years from back then). By this time, Tamil Nadu’s irrigated lands had grown from an area of 1,440,000 acres to 2,580,000 acres while Karnataka’s irrigated area stood at 680,000 acres. This meant that, Tamilnadu needed the larger share of the water to continue, to be able to sustain its existing agricultural activity. Karnataka's stand on this matter however, is that this pattern came into existence because of the unfavorable British agreement in the first place.

The current situation:Over the past 2 sensitive decades, the Supreme Court and the Cauvery River Authority (a highly powerful body that was established to reach consensus on this matter) have intervened on several occasions to have the states agree on the right splits. Highly dramatic situations have occurred at times, with suicides and ministers walking out of important meet-ups without helping reach resolution easily. In 2002, when monsoons failed, SC rulings have at times been explicitly disobeyed. Once, Karnataka gave in to the protests of its farmers and stopped the

release of water as agreed. Tamilnadu saw protests at Neyveli seeking for cuts of power supply to Karnataka (NLC, being centrally owned did not disrupt power, but a minor incident occurred wherein a transmission tower was blasted by miscreants - Tamilnadu vehicles were prevented entry into Karnataka. The situation looked out of hand all that year.

The next few years did not see such sensitive issues, with reasonable monsoons. However, the situation currently is beginning to build up tension again, owing to insufficient monsoons this year (2012). It is to be noted that, Kerala too is now involved in the controversies, given their share of Kauvery (with the tributary Kabini originating in their state).

Resolution?In the absence of copious monsoons, it looks impossible that both states can be given 'sufficient' shares to keep farmers happy. How about 'fair' shares? This looks difficult too, given the 'history of the problem', the definition of 'fairness' itself depending on each state's perspectives on the matter. There is a lot of history and heartburns on both the sides.

The long-term solution definitely needs to involve significant alternate sources of water for farmers in both the states, a lot of rain-water harvesting in all villages, in addition to agreeing on a divide proportional to the farmer needs in both the states, leaving history behind. The last part is in the hands of the political powers.

Present situation (2016)On 9th Sept, 2016 Karnataka is declared Full Bandh by Karnataka Groups to protest the Recent Supreme Court Order to release 15000 cusecs for next 10 days from dam on Cauvery river to Taminadu. The worst hit areas are Mysore, Bangalore region which includes Mandya at the central

History of the Dispute

There is long history of Cavery Water Dispute since 1892. Historically, the dispute over sharing Cauvery waters dates back to the British era. The dispute between Karnataka and Tamil Nadu over sharing Cauvery neared a solution when the two warring sides, Mysore princely state and Madras Presidency reached an agreement in 1924.

Mysore was permitted to build a dam at Kannambadi village to trap 44.8 thousand million cubic feet of water. The agreement was to be valid for 50 years and a review thereafter was part of the agreement.

Not willing to accept the agreement, the two states took the dispute to the Supreme Court after Independence on several occasions but the matter could not be resolved.

Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal

Bot the side Karnataka and Tamilanadu did not agreed on the supreme advice in 1990 since both states refused to agree through talks, the Centre constituted the Cauvery Water Tribunal in 1990. After hearing both sides for years, the tribunal in its final award in 2007 gave 419 tmc ft for Tamil Nadu and 270 tmc ft for Karnataka. Kerala was awarded 30 tmc ft and Pondicherry 7 tmc ft. Both the government could not be agreed upon the decision and challenged the decision in the Supreme Court.

Reason for Recent Protest

Recently Supreme Court Ordered to release 15,000 cusecs per day for overt next 10 days triggered the protest as this year rain is already low, as dam is almost half empty.

Protest and Bandh across Karnataka

Pro Kananada Group and Farmers have called complete Band Across Karnataka and it is widely supported. Worst hit regions are Mysore and Bangalore Corridor Mandya is in between.

In Bangalore protest standstill the complete normal life, all the offices are closed, colleges are closed. Activists are rallying on bike, vehicles all across Bangalore. Motorbikes tyres being fired. Bus, Auto, Trains, Theater, Shops are closed completely. Here are few live pics.

Bangalore Bandh Pics Collection Live

What Kannadiga’s say is,We are only left with 50 tmc of water till next may-June monsoon. At least TN now has NE monsoons in oct-nov. So we don’t want to release too much water. We have to compromise With only 50 TMC of water left in Cauvery Basin of Karnataka and out of which 22 TMC is a Dead Storage and leaving water now to TN will leave just enough water for ONLY AND ONLY DRINKING purposes ONLY TILL JANUARY 2017. After January we won’t have any water to drink. Karnataka has to wait 6 MONTHS for June 2017 Monsoon Rains.

Karnataka people are NOT ACTING WIERD.

If Karnataka was weird this issue should have been 365 days news since many years.The issue arises only during short outcomes of monsoon.(Recent being 2012, 2007). That too for a few months(Sept-Nov).

Tamilians form 30+% of Bengaluru. We need water to drink. Please understand. We are okay to release water but we need the water to drink. ONLY DRINKING requirement of the Karnataka can be fulfilled with the current water in Karnataka TILL MAY-JUNE 2017 and we don’t have any other rainfall season like Tamil Nadu does in the upcoming months of October and November. We are always with Tamil Nadu. We were the first to help you during Chennai Floods.

We need SC and PM to make sure both the states get right justice and both the parties are okay with Judgement (which can only be done by PM at this moment).

Just 1–2 months ago SC denied Karnataka’s plea in Mahadayi Project. Northern part of Karnataka suffers from severe drought since many years. Karnataka had asked Goa government to divert Mahadayi river to the affected regions. Mahadayi river of 200 TMC capacity out of 208 TMC flows to Arabian Sea.

You read it right 200 TMC of water wasted to ocean instead of giving to Karnataka.

We atleast wanted it for DRINKING PURPOSE.

The great judges of SC said “DIE and let other’s LIVE” to KA.

Now, in Cauvery Issue the great baised judges of SC say “Let others LIVE” to KA.

This has what made Karnataka people ( Kannadigas, Tamilians, Telgu, Marati people who live n Karnataka) made angry with these INJUSTICE. Karnataka has been denied WATER TO DRINK. TO DRINK WATER.

This is RIDICULOUS. !!

One of the judges was a lawyer of Jayalalitha for many personal cases. And the other expresses very bad attitude towards Karnataka.

Both of them deny to analyse GROUND REALITY and have not worked to give both the parites satisfactory judgement.

Karnataka govt has a Congress government and Central government is a BJP govt.

Karnataka has given PM Modi 17 seats to BJP out of 28. PM who preached Federalism hasn’t ever tweeted about the issue in spite of Karnataka CM writing a letter to him and even after former PM DeveGowda talking to Modi on this issue.

People have to pressurize PM to intervene and deliver justice to both parties. #KaveriforPEACE.

“Intent of this article is to sum up all the available information about namma kaveri in one single paper so that even a lay man can get to know easily about the current situation , further actions to be taken and common man role in preventing further water scarcity problem by having a sustainable approach in water consumption .Finally I like to say save water for further generation by having 3R’s in mind REDUCE REUSE RECYCLE.

Thank you,

NISCHAY.N.

(NOV 2016)

THE FIGHT FOR NAMMA KAVERI IS NOT YET OVER,

To be continued in PART 2.