Topics Covered: Separation of powers between various organs dispute redressal mechanisms and institutions.
Krishna and Godavari water utilisation
What to study?
For Prelims: Origins of Krishna and Godavari rivers, tributaries and important projects.
For Mains: Disputes- origins, attempts to resolve and the way ahead.
Context: The Union government is going to take stock of water utilisation from the Krishna and Godavari rivers following Telangana and Andhra Pradesh filing complaints against each other.
In this regard, the Union Ministry of Jal Sakthi has asked the Chairpersons of the Krishna and Godavari River Management Boards to procure the details of the irrigation projects in Maharashtra and Karnataka, too, and submit them to the Centre in a month.
Need for:
The main objective of the exercise appears to be to assess whether surplus water will be available for the new projects in the light of the disputes.
What’s the issue?
The two States- AP ans Telangana- share stretches of the Krishna and the Godavari and own their tributaries.
They have embarked on several new projects without getting clearance from the river boards, the Central Water Commission and the apex council comprising the Union Water Resources Minister and the Chief Ministers, as mandated by the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act, 2014.
But, Telangana government last year filed a complaint against AP government for taking up projects across Krishna river.
The Krishna:
It is an east-flowing river.
Originates at Mahabaleshwar in Maharashtra and merges with the Bay of Bengal, flowing through Maharashtra, Karnataka, Telangana and Andhra Pradesh.
Tributaries: Tungabhadra, Mallaprabha, Koyna, Bhima, Ghataprabha, Yerla, Warna, Dindi, Musi and Dudhganga.
Godavari River:
Rises from Trimbakeshwar near Nasik in Maharashtra and flows for a length of about 1465 km before outfalling into the Bay of Bengal.
Basin: The Godavari basin extends over states of Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Odisha in addition to smaller parts in Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka and Union territory of Puducherry.
Tributaries: Pravara, Purna, Manjra, Penganga, Wardha, Wainganga, Pranhita (combined flow of Wainganga, Penganga, Wardha), Indravati, Maner and the Sabri.
InstaLinks:
Prelims Link:
- Tributaries of Krishna.
- Tributaries of Godavari.
- East vs West flowing rivers of India.
- Interstate river water disputes- key provisions.
- Krishna and Godavari River Management Boards- formation, functions and orders.
Sources: the Hindu.
