Cauvery dispute: An analysis of a river dispute

Abstract

This chapter is based on extensive qualitative fieldwork in several districts of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu states in India. It provides an overview of the inter-state water disputes context in India and then proceeds to an in depth analysis of agriculture and water use patterns in the two states and the pattern of political mobilisation. The analysis here appears to show that one of the reasons for an impasse in this dispute is the high degree of politicisation of water use for agriculture in both states. The paper also suggests that the Inter State Water Disputes Act contributes to this politicisation by recognising only state governments as parties to water disputes. The paper argues that an integrated river management board would be an idealistic solution but for this to work there is a need to invest in institutional development. The paper also argues that moving away from claims over absolute quantities and arriving at relative shares (Guhan formula) will help especially in the context of climate change induced variability in rainfall patterns from year to year.