Hogenakkal Water Dispute

The Hogenakkal Water Dispute is a conflict between the Indian states of Tamil Nadu and Karnataka over the implementation of Hogenakkal Integrated Drinking Water Project, whose foundation stone was laid in February 2008. The Rs. 1,334 crore project envisages water supply to 40.4 lakh people in the fluorosis affected Dharmapuri and Krishnagiri districts of Tamil Nadu. [ [http://www.ibnlive.com/news/karunanidhi-asks-centre-to-intervene-in-water-war/62433-3.html IBNlive: Karunanidhi asks Centre to intervene in water war] ]

Background

Kaveri water dispute

Water from Kaveri river has been a bone of contention between the states of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu and its erstwhile Kingdom of Mysore and Madras Presidency and thus a century old dispute.cite web |url=http://www.brad.ac.uk/acad/bcid/research/papers/Paper3.pdf |accessdate=2007-08-13 |publisher=University of Bradford |author=P. B. Anand |title=Water and identity - An analysis of the Cauvery river water dispute.] As part of several reconciliation messures taken to ease the crisis the Union Water Resource Ministry of Government of India convened a meeting between the representatives of the states in which Governments of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu agreed on two projects, one in in Mekedatu in Karnataka and other other in Hogenakkal in Tamil Nadu.According to the project, at a particular spot in the waterfall water from the Cauvery is to be drawn and distributed to people of Tamil Nadu. [ [http://www.timesnow.tv/Newsdtls.aspx?NewsID=6979 TimesNow - Who's Hogenakkal is it, anyway?] ] Karnataka agreed to abide by the conditions imposed by the Union Water Resources Ministry if Tamil Nadu withdrew its objections to Cauvery water being used to augment supply to Bangalore for which Tamil Nadu had voiced objections but Tamil Nadu later withdrew its objections to Karnataka using its share of Cauvery water for supply to Bangalore. [ [http://www.hindu.com/2008/04/05/stories/2008040557820100.htm The 1998 story of Hogenakkal] The Hindu] The project was put on hold after widespread protests in Karnataka.

Hogenakkal island (unnamed) Ownership dispute

Hogenakkal is part of Koothapadi panchayat village within the Pennagaram sub-district of Dharmapuri district. [ [http://omms.nic.in/aspnet/Citizens/DG/05DVC/CensusStatus.aspx?state=TN&district=4&block=3&reportLevel=3 Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana - Census List] ] , but the ownership of a piece of an uninhabited island near the waterfalls is contested by Karnataka and this further strains the relationship between the states. [ [http://www.thehindu.com/2008/03/14/stories/2008031455040600.htm The Hindu - Joint survey of island at Hogenakkal postponed] ] [ [http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Karnataka_BJP_wants_Centre_to_intervene_/articleshow/2917416.cms Time of India - Hogenakkal issue: Karnataka BJP wants Centre to intervene] ] [http://www.livemint.com/2008/04/06230338/Hogenakkal-issue-Time-to-love.html Livemint - Hogenakkal issue: Time to love thy neighbour?] ]

Karnataka perspective

Karnataka's BJP is opposed to the project on the grounds that its share of the Cauvery waters will be affected and that the picturesque waterfall belongs to it (based on erstwhile topographical map of Madras Presidency), thereby alleging that the drinking water project at hogenakkal is illegal. [ [http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Karnataka_BJP_wants_Centre_to_intervene_/articleshow/2917416.cms Time of India - Hogenakkal issue: Karnataka BJP wants Centre to intervene] ] [http://www.livemint.com/2008/04/06230338/Hogenakkal-issue-Time-to-love.html Livemint - Hogenakkal issue: Time to love thy neighbour?] ]

Tamil Nadu perspective

The Hogenakkal project was approved in 1998 by both the state govt. of karnataka & union govt. of india. The project just like the bangalore project puts no extra demand on the neighbouring state for Cauvery water since each state would use its allocated share. Tamilnadu is bemused by sudden betrayal of a project which was agreed upon earlier. [http://www.hindu.com/2008/04/01/stories/2008040160980100.htm The Hindu - Karnataka gave consent in 1998 to Hogenakkal project: Tamil Nadu]

Timeline

* May, 1997 - States of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu agree on two projects to be set for both power and irrigation, with one in Mekedatu in Karnataka and other other in Hogenakkal in Tamil Nadu. [http://www.indianexpress.com/res/web/pIe/ie/daily/19970502/12250523.html The Indian Express- Cauvery water talks caught in local politics] ]
* February 26, 2008 - Chief Minster of Tamil Nadu, M. Karunanidhi laid the foundation stone for the project.
* March 16, 2008 - former Chief Minister of Karnataka, B.S. Yeddyurappa organized a protest at Hogenakkal against the project.
* March 27, 2008 - the Tamil Nadu Assembly adopted a resolution, urging the Centre to extend “full cooperation and help” in executing the project.
* March 31, 2008 - Karnataka state government requested Tamil Nadu to stop all development projects at Hogenakkal. It sought Central Government's intervention to resolve the controversy. [ [http://www.hindu.com/2008/04/01/stories/2008040157670100.htm The Hindu - Tamil Nadu urged to stop work on Hogenakkal water supply project] ]
* April 2, 2008 - Widespread protests across Karnataka against the project. [ [http://news.in.msn.com/national/article.aspx?cp-documentid=1320539 MSN News: Hogenakkal row: Time to show restraint] ]
* April 5, 2008 - Chief Minister Karunanidhi announced that the project would be put on hold until a new government assumes charge in Karnataka. [ [http://www.indianexpress.com/sunday/story/293058.html Indian Express: TN Govt puts Hogenakkal project on hold] ]
* June 17, 2008 - unit office of the Hogenakkal water supply project was opened at Oddapatti near Dharmapuri . [ [http://www.hinduonnet.com/thehindu/thscrip/print.pl?file=2008061953740400.htm&date=2008/06/19/&prd=th&] ]

ee also

*Hogenakkal Falls
*Hogenakkal Integrated Drinking Water Project
*Kaveri River Water Dispute

References

External links

* [http://sify.com/news/specials/hogenakkalrow/ Sify - Falls Alarm - Hogenakkal: Old war, new battle]