Cauvery-South Vellar Link Project

Source: TH

Context: The Supreme Court recently noted that the Centre has not granted in-principle approval for Tamil Nadu’s Cauvery-South Vellar Link Project, despite the state’s request in January 2021.

About Cauvery-South Vellar Link Project:

• What is the Project?

• A Tamil Nadu initiative to divert surplus floodwater from the Mettur Dam to dry tanks in the Sarabanga Basin, Salem district. Aims to ensure efficient water use for agriculture and replenish water bodies in drought-prone areas.

• A Tamil Nadu initiative to divert surplus floodwater from the Mettur Dam to dry tanks in the Sarabanga Basin, Salem district.

• Aims to ensure efficient water use for agriculture and replenish water bodies in drought-prone areas.

• States involved:

• Tamil Nadu: Seeks to implement the project for agricultural and drinking water needs. Karnataka: Opposes the project, claiming it diverts excess Cauvery water, infringing upon its allocated share.

• Tamil Nadu: Seeks to implement the project for agricultural and drinking water needs.

• Karnataka: Opposes the project, claiming it diverts excess Cauvery water, infringing upon its allocated share.

• Significance

• Agricultural Support: Addresses irrigation needs in Tamil Nadu’s dry regions. Water Management: Reduces water wastage by utilizing surplus water from floods. Dispute Implications: Raises interstate water-sharing concerns, highlighting the importance of federal cooperation.

• Agricultural Support: Addresses irrigation needs in Tamil Nadu’s dry regions.

• Water Management: Reduces water wastage by utilizing surplus water from floods.

• Dispute Implications: Raises interstate water-sharing concerns, highlighting the importance of federal cooperation.

About Cauvery River:

• Origin: Talakaveri in the Brahmagiri Hills, Western Ghats, Karnataka.

• Ends In: Poompuhar, Bay of Bengal.

• States Flow Through: Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Puducherry.

• Significance: Known as ‘Ponni’ in Tamil Nadu, revered as a sacred river and often called the Dakshina Ganga (Ganges of the South).

• Tributaries:

• Left Bank: Arkavathi, Hemavathi, Shimsa, Harangi. Right Bank: Lakshman Tirtha, Kabini, Suvarnavathi, Noyil, Bhavani, Amaravathi.

• Left Bank: Arkavathi, Hemavathi, Shimsa, Harangi.

• Right Bank: Lakshman Tirtha, Kabini, Suvarnavathi, Noyil, Bhavani, Amaravathi.

• Protected Areas in the Basin: Nagarhole National Park, Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary, Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve.

About Vellar River:

• Origin: Servarayan Hills, Eastern Ghats.

• Ends In: Bay of Bengal.

• States Flow Through: Tamil Nadu (Salem, Perambalur, and Cuddalore districts).

• Tributaries: Manimuktha River, Chinnar River, Vasishta Nadi.

Insta links:

• PKC-river-link-project