Mahadayi project Dispute

1. Origin of the Dispute

• Timeframe: Began in the 1980s; escalated in the 1990s and 2000s.

• Trigger:
  Karnataka’s proposal to construct dams, canals, and barrages to divert water from Mahadayi River to the Malaprabha basin (tributary of Krishna River).

2. Karnataka's Stand

• Aims to provide water to drought-prone districts:
  Bagalkot, Gadag, Dharwad, and Belagavi.

• Claims:

  • Mahadayi has surplus water that otherwise drains into the Arabian Sea.

  • The diversion is essential for drinking water, irrigation, agriculture, and power needs in northern Karnataka.

  • Believes the diversion will not significantly impact Goa’s ecosystem.

3. Goa's Opposition

• Sought redressal in 2002 and approached the Supreme Court in 2006.

• Major Concerns:

  • Ecological Fragility: The river’s flow sustains Goa’s mangroves, green belts, and wetlands.

  • Fear of saltwater ingress if freshwater is diverted—would damage ecosystems.

  • Human-Ecological Balance: Threat to people’s livelihoods, agricultural lands, and biodiversity.

  • Claims Goa is a water-deficient state, contrary to Karnataka's surplus claims.

4. Tribunal Formation and Legal Track

• Mahadayi Water Disputes Tribunal (MWDT) formed on November 16, 2010.

• Purpose: To adjudicate the water-sharing dispute among Goa, Karnataka, and Maharashtra.

• Goa’s legal argument: Diverting Mahadayi water would violate its riparian rights and ecological security

Kalasa-Banduri Nala Project (Karnataka Initiative)

• Objective: Improve drinking water supply to Belagavi, Dharwad, and Gadag districts of Karnataka.

• Method: Divert water from Kalasa and Banduri, two tributaries of the Mahadayi River, to the Malaprabha River.

• Malaprabha River: A tributary of the Krishna River; key water source for the above districts.

Mahadayi / Mandovi River:

• Origin: Bhimgad Wildlife Sanctuary, Belagavi, Karnataka (Western Ghats).

• Flow: West-flowing river, enters Goa and drains into Arabian Sea.

• Known As: Mandovi River in Goa.

• Length: 81 km (Karnataka: 35 km; Goa: 45 km; Maharashtra: 1 km).

• Catchment Area:

  • Goa: 1,580 km²

  • Karnataka: 375 km²

  • Maharashtra: 77 km²

• Joins: Zuari River at Cabo Aguada, forming Mormugao Bay.

• Significance: Lifeline of Goa; Panaji and Old Goa lie on its left bank.

Major Tributaries of Mahadayi (Mandovi)

• Left/Right Bank Tributaries:

  • Nerul River

  • St. Inez Creek

  • Rio de Ourém

  • Mapusa River

  • Valvanti River

  • Udnai River

  • Dudhsagar River

  • Ragada River

  • Kotrachi Nadi

• Waterfalls:

  • Dudhsagar Falls ( The waterfall is located in the Bhagwan Mahaveer Sanctuary and Mollem National Park )

  • Vajrapoha Falls