Tamil Nadu moves SC against Mekedatu Project Tuesday Nov 18,2014

Tamil Nadu on Tuesday Nov 18,2014 moved the Supreme Court to restrain Karnataka from going ahead with the construction of two reservoirs across the Cauvery at Mekedatu and stop inviting a global expression of interest in a technical feasibility study. 

In its application, Tamil Nadu said Karnataka was undertaking new power projects not permitted by the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal in its final award. The tribunal had it made clear that such a project, if implemented, should be consistent with its decision.

The proposed construction, the application said, would impact the daily and monthly flows into the Mettur dam during the crucial period from June to September, seriously affecting the interests of Tamil Nadu farmers. Further, any new scheme should be taken up only with the consent of the Cauvery Management Board, ordered to be set up in the final award, and the consent of the lower riparian States. 

Initially, Karnataka wanted to build the two power projects, through National Hydro Power Corporation Limited (NHPC), with the Centre’s approval. Now, without any approval, it wanted to execute the projects on its own.

The application said the aim of the tribunal’s final award was that hydro projects should not affect the water release patterns. “Karnataka is not merely desirous of proceeding with the Mekedatu project but is intending to alter it by constructing two reservoirs across the river… Karnataka cannot unilaterally take up the construction of the two reservoirs as it would result in impounding of the flows in the intermediate catchment below the Krishnaraja Sagar and Kabini reservoirs, and Billigundulu in the common border of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.” 

Karnataka Forest Department opposes Mekedatu reservoir project 

In the midst of opposition from Tamil Nadu, there seems to be more trouble for Karnataka’s plans of moving forward with the proposed Mekedatu balancing reservoir along the Cauvery in Kanakapura taluk of Ramanagaram district. Vinay Luthra, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife) and Chief Wildlife Warden of Karnataka, has indicated his department’s “opposition” to the proposal and pointed out that the project would cut through the elephant corridor. “We will certainly oppose it,” he said here on Wednesday. Mr. Luthra said he had not received any proposal about the issue nor has the Forest Department’s opinion on the matter sought. He said the dam would block an elephant corridor in Hassan, leading to increased man-animal conflict in the area. The proposed dam is expected to submerge more than 2,500 acres of forestland.