Karnataka Farmers Demand Fair Water Allocation from Maharashtra
Farmers in Karnataka's northern districts face severe water issues due to Maharashtra's alleged misuse of Bhima River waters.
Northern Karnataka suffers from droughts and floods linked to Bhima River water mismanagement.
The Bachawat Award of 1976 allocated water shares, but Maharashtra reportedly exceeds its allocation.
Karnataka's government is urged to take action to secure water rights for affected farmers.
Farmers in the northern districts of Karnataka, including Kalaburagi, Yadgir, and Vijayapur, are grappling with severe water scarcity and flooding issues attributed to the alleged misuse of Bhima River waters by Maharashtra. Activists claim that while Maharashtra has been utilizing more water than its allocated share, Karnataka has failed to develop the necessary infrastructure to manage its water resources effectively.
The historical context of this crisis dates back to the Justice Bachawat Tribunal's ruling on May 27, 1976, which allocated 95 thousand million cubic feet (tmcft) of water to Maharashtra, 15 tmcft to Karnataka, and 6 tmcft to undivided Andhra Pradesh. However, Maharashtra has reportedly been releasing insufficient water during normal rainfall periods, leading to drought conditions in Karnataka's four districts. Conversely, during heavy rainfall, the state releases excess water, resulting in flooding.
Activists, including farmer leader Panchappa Kalaburagi, have expressed frustration over the lack of action from both the Karnataka and Central governments. They point out that while there are robust protests for Cauvery water rights, similar pressure is not applied for Bhima waters. Panchappa has been advocating for the rights of farmers for over four decades and has highlighted that Maharashtra's irrigation projects are utilizing more than the allocated 150 tmcft of water without proper authorization.
In response to these challenges, committees advocating for Bhima river water rights are being established across the taluks through which the river flows. These committees aim to pressure the government to ensure that Karnataka receives its fair share of water consistently. In 2002, farmers filed a Public Interest Litigation in the Supreme Court, which resulted in a directive allowing Karnataka to use 15 tmcft of water; however, a formal gazette notification has yet to be issued.
Recently, during a visit to Kalaburagi, Karnataka Chief Minister DK Shivakumar acknowledged the issue and stated that he would engage with the Maharashtra government to address the water allocation concerns. The farmers and activists remain hopeful that this dialogue will lead to a resolution that secures their water rights and alleviates the ongoing hardships faced by the region.
