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Topic : Mullaperiyar Dam Dispute: Kerala’s New Dam Proposal Rejected
GS-1 Mains : Geography
Revision Notes
Background
- Mullaperiyar dam, over a century old, is located in Kerala’s Idukki district but owned and operated by Tamil Nadu.
- The dam’s safety and management have been a source of contention between the two states for decades.
Kerala’s Proposal
- Kerala proposed a new dam to replace the ageing Mullaperiyar structure, citing:
- Recent floods
- Changes in environmental conditions
- Need for updated data
Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)
- A process to evaluate environmental, social, and economic impacts of a project.
- Aims to:
- Predict environmental impacts early in planning.
- Reduce adverse impacts.
- Shape projects to suit the local environment.
- Inform decision-makers.
- Backed by the Environment Protection Act, 1986.
- Involves multiple stages: screening, scoping, data collection, impact prediction, mitigation measures, public hearing, decision-making, monitoring, and risk assessment.
- Stakeholders include project proponents, environmental consultants, pollution control boards, the public, and the Impact Assessment Agency.
- Categorized into A (complete EIA process) and B (partial EIA process).
Tamil Nadu’s Opposition
- Strongly opposes the new dam due to reliance on Mullaperiyar dam water for irrigation.
- Argues that the existing dam is safe (approved by experts and Supreme Court).
- Views a new dam as a violation of court orders and potential contempt of court.
Legal Battles
- The dispute has led to numerous legal battles concerning:
- Dam safety
- Water resource jurisdiction
- Objections to each other’s actions
Challenges
- Consensus between Kerala and Tamil Nadu is crucial for any significant development.
- Kerala needs Tamil Nadu’s consent for a new dam (as per Supreme Court order).
- Deeply entrenched positions and historical animosity make achieving consensus difficult.
Mullaperiyar Dam Facts
- Masonry gravity dam on the Periyar River, Idukki, Kerala.
- Constructed (1887-1895) by John Pennycuick.
- Located on the Cardamom Hills of the Western Ghats.
- Operated and maintained by Tamil Nadu (catchment area entirely in Kerala).
- Reservoir located near Periyar National Park.
- Seismically active area with potential structural flaws.
- Potential risk to 3.5 million people in case of dam failure.
- Water diverted to Forebay Dam for power generation.
- Dam is a gravity dam made with concrete and faced with rubble.