Inter - State Dispute over Water and Safety in India: The Mullaperiyar Dam, a Historical Perspective

摘要

The conflict between the two southern most states of India, Kerala and Tamil Nadu over Mullaperiyar dam issue is for safety and water. The waters of Mullaperiyar of Kerala were diverted to irrigate the drought prone districts of Tamil Nadu during the legacy of the British based on the Periyar lease deed. This interstate project is serving as a source of water and hydel power to Tamil Nadu but now Kerala is not permitting to keep the water at full storage level citing various reasons. The issue came to the Supreme Court, the apex body of the judicial system in India. Politicians of both the states started using this issue for their benefits and exploiting the emotions of the local people. The details about the river, dam, lease deed and the origin of the conflict are traced along with the aspects of safety and environmental concerns. The demands of Tamil Nadu and the arguments of Kerala in connection with the possibility of the new dam are also discussed.