Interstate Water Disputes occur when states that share a river or a network of rivers (like a basin) can’t agree on how much water each should get and how they should use it. In India, water is very precious people need it for everything, from drinking and cooking to growing crops and running businesses. With a growing population and changing weather patterns, water becomes even more valuable, making it no surprise that states want to ensure they get their fair share.
In this article, we will see the water disputes between the states in detail.
Causes of Interstate Water Disputes
Different states in India share rivers for their water needs. Imagine a situation where you and your neighbor both rely on the same well for water. If one of you uses more water, it can lead to conflicts. Also, unequal water distribution among states creates tensions between the states. The political and economic interests of individual states also play a major role in Interstate water disputes.
Major Inter-State River Disputes
|
Rivers |
States |
|---|---|
|
Ravi and Beas |
Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan |
|
Narmada |
Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Rajasthan |
|
Krishna |
Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Telangana |
|
Vamsadhara |
Andhra Pradesh & Odisha |
|
Cauvery |
Kerala, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Puducherry |
|
Godavari |
Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha |
| Mahanadi | Chhattisgarh, Odisha |
| Mahadayi | Goa, Maharashtra, Karnataka |
| Periyar | Tamil Nadu, Kerala |
Legal Framework for Dispute Resolution
To settle these disputes peacefully, India has a law called the Inter-State River Water Disputes Act, passed in 1956.
This law works in the following ways:
- The Central Government: If a state feels another state is taking more than its fair share of water, it can complain to the central government, which acts as the main authority.
- Setting up Tribunals: The central government, after considering the situation, can then set up a special court called a Tribunal. Think of it as a group of judges specifically chosen to understand and solve this water dispute.
Recent example is the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal was set up to resolve the water sharing issue between Tamil Nadu and Karnataka.
Also Read: Water Scarcity – Definition, Causes, Issues, Examples
Constitutional Provisions for Inter-State Water Disputes
Article 246 sets the foundation for the distribution of legislative powers between the Parliament and the State Legislatures in India.
It establishes three lists in the Seventh Schedule of the Constitution:
- State List (Entry 17): States have the primary responsibility for managing water resources within their territory, including aspects like water supply, irrigation, canals, drainage, embankments, storage, and hydropower.
- Union List (Entry 56): The central government has the authority to regulate and develop inter-state rivers and river valleys, ensuring their optimal utilization for the collective benefit of all involved states.
- Concurrent List: This list includes subjects on which both the Parliament and the State Legislatures have the power to make laws, but the Parliament’s law triumph in case of any conflict.
Water dispute resolution mechanism:
- Article 262 (1): This article empowers the parliament to establish a legal framework for adjudicating disputes or complaints arising from the use, distribution, or control of water in inter-state rivers or river valleys. This means parliament can create tribunals or other mechanisms to resolve such disputes.
- Article 262 (2): This article effectively bars the supreme court and other courts from interfering in these disputes once parliament has established a designated dispute resolution mechanism. This ensures efficient and specialized handling of inter-state water disputes without hindering the functioning of the regular judicial system.
Inter-State River Water Disputes (Amendment) Bill, 2019
The Inter-State River Water Disputes (Amendment) Bill, 2019, aimed to improve how India handles conflicts between states over shared rivers.
- It proposed setting up a single permanent tribunal with multiple benches to handle all water disputes instead of creating separate tribunals for each case.
- The bill introduced a new step before disputes go to the tribunal. A “Disputes Resolution Committee” would be formed to try and resolve the issue through negotiation and compromise between the states involved.
- The bill called for establishing a technical agency to manage a data bank related to inter-state rivers.
This bill was passed by the Lok Sabha (lower house) in 2019.
Agreements on inter-State Rivers
This agreements is taken by the government, under the Inter-State River Water Disputes Act, 1956.
|
Tribunal |
Year of formation |
States |
|---|---|---|
|
Ravi & Beas Water Tribunal |
1986 |
Rajasthan, Haryana & Punjab |
|
Krishna Water Disputes Tribunal II |
2004 |
Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Telangana & Karnataka |
|
Mahadayi Water Disputes Tribunal |
2010 |
Karnataka, Goa & Maharashtra |
|
Vansadhara Water Disputes Tribunal |
2010 |
Odisha & Andhra Pradesh |
|
Mahanadi Water Disputes Tribunal |
2018 |
Chhattisgarh & Odisha |
Active River Water Dispute Tribunals in India
| Tribunal Name | States Involved |
|---|---|
| Krishna Water Disputes Tribunal – II | Karnataka, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra |
| Vansadhara Water Disputes Tribunal | Andhra Pradesh, Odisha |
| Mahadayi Water Disputes Tribunal | Goa, Karnataka, Maharashtra |
| Mahanadi Water Disputes Tribunal | Odisha, Chhattisgarh |
Also Read: Ganga River and Tributaries
Challenges and Impacts of these Water Disputes
- Resolving these disputes often takes years, causing delays in crucial development projects like irrigation canals, power plants, and even drinking water infrastructure.
- When states fight over water, social and economic tensions can rise. Farmers struggling for irrigation, industries facing water cuts, and communities facing water shortages can all lead to anger, and even protests.
- These water disputes often leads to mismanagement, like excessive groundwater pumping. This can have severe environmental consequences that includes soil degradation, and disrupted ecosystems.
- These water disputes fight between the states often lose focus on collaborating on other important issues, like sharing best practices in water conservation or developing joint infrastructure projects for managing water resources more effectively.
- Farmers, especially living in water-scarce regions are unsure of how much water they will receive for irrigation. These disputes impacted their livelihood and food security.
Possible Solution to Solve these Water Disputes
- Instead of fight for these disputes states need to cooperate and manage water resources together. This involves sharing information, developing joint water management plans, and exploring innovative solutions like inter-basin transfers or water banking.
- States can implement sustainable water use practices like promoting rainwater harvesting, drip irrigation, and wastewater treatment in both agricultural and industrial sectors.
- States can invest together in water infrastructure development like building efficient canals, repairing leaky pipelines, and upgrading water storage facilities. By upgrading infrastructure it helps in minimize wastage of water.
- Decision of local communities in water management is important. Their knowledge and experience can be invaluable in devising sustainable solutions and promoting responsible water use practices at the grassroots level.
- The central government can play a role of a catylst facilitating dialogue between states, mediating disputes, and providing financial and technical assistance for implementing sustainable water management projects.
Conclusion
Water fights between states are a barrier for India’s development that includes delays in projects, rising tensions, and environmental damage are all consequences. To solve this disputes, states need to work together. States should work together by using water wisely, building better canals, and involving communities are all important. Central government can help by getting everyone talking and finding solutions. Sharing water fairly for the long term is key to India’s success.
FAQs on Interstate Water Disputes in India
What are Interstate Water Disputes in India?
Interstate Water Disputes occur when states that share a river or a network of rivers (like a basin) can’t agree on how much water each should get and how they should use it.
What are the name of some major rivers involved in interstate water disputes in India?
Ravi and Beas, Narmada, Krishna, Cauvery, Godavari are some major rivers involved in interstate water disputes in India.
What is Inter-State River Water Disputes Act?
Inter-State River Water Disputes Act is passed in 1956 to settle the water disputes between the states peacefully.
What is Inter-State River Water Disputes (Amendment) Bill, 2017?
This bill aims to make the disputes problem easier and faster by creating one main court and setting up committees to help solve disputes peacefully.
Which Interstate dispute recently held and active in India?
The recent dispute is Cauvery Water Disputes between Tamil Nadu and Karnataka.