Source: HT
Context: After years of litigation before the Mahanadi Water Disputes Tribunal, Odisha and Chhattisgarh have agreed to explore an amicable settlement over the Mahanadi River water-sharing dispute.
About Mahanadi River:
- What It Is?
- The Mahanadi is a major east-flowing river of peninsular India, known for its high silt load, historical floods, and agricultural importance. The name comes from Sanskrit: “Maha” (great) + “Nadi” (river).
- States it Flows Through:
- Chhattisgarh (upper and middle basin)
- Odisha (lower basin and delta)
- Minor portions in Jharkhand, Maharashtra, and Madhya Pradesh
- Origin and Course:
- Origin: Near Pharsiya village, Dhamtari district, Chhattisgarh (Nagri Sihawa Hills, ~442m altitude)
- Total Length: ~900 km (560 miles)
- Drains into: Bay of Bengal via several distributaries near Paradip, Odisha
- Total Basin Area: ~1.32 lakh sq. km
- Major Tributaries:
- Left Bank: Seonath (Shivnath), Hasdeo, Mand, Ib
- Right Bank: Ong, Tel, Jonk
- Key Features:
- Hirakud Dam (Odisha): World’s longest earthen dam and built for flood control, irrigation, and hydropower.
- Satkosia Gorge: A scenic and ecologically sensitive zone cutting through the Eastern Ghats.
- Delta System: One of India’s largest, shared with the Brahmani River and supports agriculture, fisheries, and ports.
- Rich Biodiversity: Home to over 130 bird species, fish populations, and key tiger reserve zones.
- Significance of the Recent Announcement:
- Shift from Legal Confrontation to Dialogue: Opens space for cooperative federalism over natural resource sharing.
- Union Government’s Role: A CWC-led Joint Committee has been proposed to guide a technical and fair resolution.
- Model for Other River Disputes: Sets a precedent for inter-state coordination over contentious river-sharing issues.
