Madikeri: The Codava National Council (CNC) opposed the Government of Karnataka (GoK) order restricting natives from using Cauvery river water for drinking purposes only and not for agricultural needs as dictatorial and urged them to violate the order.
Considering the impending drought conditions and depleting water flow in river Cauvery, the state government has issued an order, allowing the people to use water for drinking purpose only, like it did last year.
Invoking the international agreement on water sharing, CNC through a press release signed by its President N U Nachappa claimed that the natives had absolute right on the use of water and the local government had no right to regulate it. Reminding of the earlier SC judgement of 2010 on water sharing between the states (Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Kerala) and the latest agreement, CNC claimed that Kodagu was entitled to get 28.4 TMC of water from the states’ share of 284 TMC, if the water was shared equally by all riparian districts.
“The district used less than 1 TMC of water for drip and sprinkler irrigation, for cultivation of Coffee, a major revenue earning crop. If government restricts even that, then the entire coffee cultivation and trade will be affected throwing the economy off gear”, stated CNC.
The coffee growers judiciously use natural water from streams and rivers twice during summer season between Feb 15- April 15 when flowers blossom and for backing operations later, which is less than 1 TMC, according to CNC. In addition, Kodavas adore nature and by practising nature friendly rituals and festivals have always strove for the conservation of water and nature for ages. In such a scenario, government has no right to restrict the usage of water by the natives, mainly coffee growers, CNC claimed.
Out of the 790 TMC of water that flows in to Bay of Bengal, state’s Kodagu region alone contributes 180 TMC, thanks to adequate rainfall in the district and the conservation techniques employed, said TMC. If the government is keen on implementing the order, then it has to also ensure, the entire 6 crore population gets drinking water with ease. When people in the district are struggling for drinking water in most areas, the GO restricting the growers from using minimal water for coffee cultivation is unacceptable, CNC said.
To maintain balance, the government has to restrict people in Mandya and Mysore regions too from using Cauvery water for agricultural and Industrial purposes. Being aware of the fallout and the repercussions, the government is adopting dictatorial measures on the people of Kodagu alone, the release said and added, “People of Mandya and Mysuru will revolt and have far reaching political implications.”
The government has to come out of the illusion that Cauvery water is meant for people of Mysuru , Mandya and Bengaluru regions. Either the government has to withdraw the order immediately failing which the people of the district should violate the order in total, which is infringing on their rights, CNC said.
The natives of Kodagu are not responsible for either the shortfall in rainfall, and depletion in the ground water level or the reduced flow of water through streams and tributaries of Cauvery, CNC claimed.
