Context: The Central government is reluctant to approve the Cauvery-South Vellar link project stating various legal and environmental issues.
Relevance of the Topic: Prelims: Questions based on locations of rivers; key facts about Cauvery-South Vellar Link Project.
About Cauvery-South Vellar Link Project
- Cauvery-South Vellar link project is a significant river-linking initiative proposed by Tamil Nadu government, as part of the first phase of Cauvery-Vaigai-Gundar linking scheme.
- The project aims to transfer large quantities of water from Cauvery river to the South Vellar River, through a canal system.
- Expected benefits of the project:
- Agriculture: Irrigation is the primary benefit of the project.
- Drought relief: help in mitigation of water scarcity in southern Tamil Nadu during dry seasons.
- Drinking water: Project will ensure supply of drinking water to urban regions of Tamil Nadu.
Challenges Leading to Delay
- Inter-state dispute: Neighbouring states like Karnataka have objected to the project citing diversion of Cauvery river, one of the primary sources of water in Karnataka.
- Environmental concerns: The project might fail to meet environmental and ecological standards. Linking projects can impact habitat and river ecology. E.g., Similar concerns delayed the Ken-Betwa river linking project.
- Lack of comprehensive studies: The project lacks the prolonged study on long-term implication of the project, this became one of the reasons for the center to hold back the consent.
- Potential of setting a precedent: Approving the project may lead to further demands of river-linking by other states too, that may lead to legal and environmental implications.
- Economic viability: Financial burden of the project can elevate the cost of Cauvery-Vaigai-Gundar, degrading the economic viability of the complete project.
Suggested Measures to Address Challenges
- Facilitating Inter-state dispute: The central government can play a pivotal role in mediating the consensus in Tamil Nadu and Karnataka to facilitate the completion of the project.
- Conducting comprehensive EIA: A complete hydrological, environmental and socio-economic impact assessment needs to be conducted to mitigate the negative impacts on livelihood and habitat of the area.
- Exploring alternative water management: Encourage Tamil Nadu to consider alternative methods like enhancing groundwater recharge, modernising irrigation infrastructure and implementing rainwater harvesting systems as a long-term solution to the water scarcity without causing inter-state disputes.
Facts about Rivers in the Project:
- Cauvery: Originates through Talakaveri, Karnataka.
- States: Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and Kerala
- Major conservations area: Nagarhole and Bandipur along its tributaries. Muthupet Mangroves and Pichavaram Mangroves (Tamil Nadu) near its delta region.
- Tributaries of Cauvery: Bhavani river (flows near Silent Valley Natural Park, Kerala); Amaravati river and Noyyal river.
- South Vellar River: Originates from Sivaganga, Tamil Nadu
- States: Flows entirely within Tamil Nadu
- It is a non-perennial river dependent on monsoonal rains.
- Vaigai river: Originates from Varusanadu Hills in Tamil Nadu.
- The major city near the shore is Madurai.
- Flows from Srivilliputhur Grizzled Squirrel Wildlife Sanctuary.
- Gundar river: Originates from Western Ghats in Tamil Nadu.
- It is a seasonal river, often dry for significant portions of the year.