The Hindu : Karnataka / Bangalore News : Kodavas oppose tribunal order

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Feb 14, 2007
ePaper


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Karnataka

Karnataka - Bangalore

Kodavas oppose tribunal order

Staff Reporter

Want agency formed to protect Cauvery waters

BANGALORE: The 45,000-strong Kodava community in Bangalore has rejected the final award of the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal, saying that it does not reflect the advice of irrigation experts or the views of farmers who are the main water-users and know about judicious use.

The Bangalore Kodava Samaja has proposed that the four riparian States — Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and Kerala — create an authority or agency that will exclusively engage in protecting the waters of the Cauvery, its many tributaries, the banks of the river and its immediate environs.

Cauvery's children

"The four States are like the children of the Cauvery. Shouldn't we who use its waters do our bit to protect and conserve this nature's gift," asked Berera M. Ayyanna, president of the samaja.

Speaking to presspersons here on Tuesday, Mr. Ayyanna, and the Rajya Sabha member Prema Kariappa, suggested that the four States should pay for the use of the waters, and the rates should be fixed by this authority, which would then use the revenue for conserving and maintaining the river and its banks.

Many cities and towns have the Cauvery as the source of their drinking water supply, and the local bodies should also be asked to contribute a specified amount to the authority. The agency would ensure that the revenue collected from each State was spent on environmental protection measures within that State.

The Union Government would constitute the authority, and all the four States would be equal stakeholders deciding among themselves how to share their rights and responsibilities in using and protecting the lifeline of the region.

Festival

Ms. Kariappa suggested that Theerthodbhava at Talacauvery on October 17 should be a festival holiday in all the four States.

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