Warring Over Water – River fights between states need a single dispute resolution body

Source: The post is based on the article “Warring Over Water – River fights between states need a single dispute resolution body with real enforcement powers” published in The Times of India on 29^th September 2023.

Syllabus: GS 2 – Indian Polity – Issues and Challenges Pertaining to the Federal Structure

Relevance: About Cauvery Water Dispute.

News: The Supreme Court has declined to intervene in a dispute between Tamil Nadu and Karnataka over the sharing of Cauvery water. The Cauvery dispute has been ongoing for decades, and has been officially resolved, but tensions still continue to remain.

What are the reasons behind existing inter-state water dispute?

First, the government creates tribunals for each dispute. However, these tribunals are ineffective because they are ad hoc, their conflict resolution procedures frequently lead to new issues, and their judgements have little legal basis.

Further, when states challenge their decisions, the conflict is only exacerbated.

Second, Climate change and other factors, such as erratic rainfall, depleting groundwater, and water-intensive cropping patterns, are intensifying river disputes.

Third, the existing Inter-State River Water Disputes Act, 1956, relies on tribunals to resolve disputes.

In 2017, the Lok Sabha passed the Inter-State River Water Disputes (Amendment) Bill to create a single permanent tribunal and a mediation committee, but the implementation has not yet been done.

Must Read: Cauvery Water Dispute and Interstate River Disputes

What can be the way ahead?

India is predicted to become “water scarce” by 2050. River water disputes are projected to grow in the future, since the Cauvery, like other major rivers, has seen declining water volumes.

Hence, it is important for the Indian government to urgently pass a law that gives tribunals the power to enforce their decisions. This will help to resolve inter-state river water disputes more quickly and effectively.