Cauvery is not a flood discharge channel for Karnataka to open at will, say farmers
Farmers in Tamil Nadu are protesting against Karnataka's proposed Mekadatu Balancing Reservoir Project, fearing it will devastate Delta agriculture. They argue that the lack of consistent water release from Karnataka has already caused significant crop and economic losses.
Why it matters
The dispute highlights long-standing inter-state water sharing conflicts in India that threaten the livelihoods of millions of farmers and regional food security.
Hundreds of farmers rallied under the umbrella of Tamizhaga Vivasaya Sangagalin Kootiyakkam and marched to the inter- State border protesting against Mekadatu before courting arrests near Zuzuvadi in Hosur on Wednesday.
The farmers from across the delta districts along with the farmers of the Western region gathered in Hosur to come down on the Karnataka government’s proposed Mekadatu Balancing Reservoir Project, stating it would the sound the death knell for Delta’s agriculture.
Speaking to The Hindu, Kaveri Danapalan, president of Tamilzhaga Vivasaya Sangagalin Kootiyakkam, contended as the Union government is unwilling or condemn or call out Karnataka on the Mekadatu dam, it shows no Union government will speak up for Tamil Nadu. It is for Tamil Nadu government to stand up and fight for the farmers.
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