Karnataka to pass resolution in Assembly to counter Tamil Nadu's move on Mekedatu project
Bengaluru(PTI): The Karnataka government will pilot a resolution in the Legislative Assembly to counter Tamil Nadu's similar move regarding the Mekedatu project across river Cauvery, Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai said on Tuesday.
Speaking in the Lower House, he also expressed his government's commitment to implement the project and called Tamil Nadu's resolution as "illegal".
Leaders across party lines, condemning Tamil Nadu assembly's move, urged the government to pass a resolution in the state assembly making Karnataka's stand clear regarding the project and Cauvery river water, and exert pressure on the Centre to give necessary clearances.
The Tamil Nadu Assembly on Monday adopted a unanimous resolution condemning the Karnataka government for its "unilateral decision" to proceed with the Mekedatu project and prevail upon the Centre to reject the proposal.
"Tamil Nadu always raises objections when we plan to utilise Cauvery water...we will take this (Mekedatu project) forward strongly and put pressure on the Centre. We are doing it and will continue to do so. Our DPR should be cleared and we should get environment clearance," Bommai said.
Noting that Tamil Nadu is planning projects without allocation of water for them, and it will get mentioned in the state's resolution after getting technical details, he said: "Their (TN) resolution is illegal. It infringes on our right and against the federal system."
"In what format the resolution should be, we will discuss with the legal team and bring it tomorrow. We will not delay it. We will pilot the resolution making our stand on Cauvery river water and Mekedatu clear," he said, adding that the government will take all measures to implement the project by exerting pressure on the Centre and take an all-party delegation to New Delhi, if necessary.
Reminding that the state showed generosity by not objecting to provide 15 tmc water to Chennai under Telugu Ganga project, despite Tamil Nadu not coming under its ambit, Bommai said, "They will have to realise it and not object to Mekedatu project that will provide drinking water to Bengaluru."
Noting that Karnataka's stand is one regarding the Makedatu and it is to utilise the state's share of water within its territory, he said, "....we have repeatedly said that there will be no injury to Tamil Nadu because of the project and it will in no way violate the tribunal order."
Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister J C Madhuswamy said Tamil Nadu Assembly's resolution is constitutionally unacceptable and the state government strongly condemns it.
Accusing Tamil Nadu of trying to keep the Cauvery river water dispute alive by repeatedly raising objections to the state's projects, he said, regarding passing any resolution in the assembly, the government will come back after consulting legal experts, as the matter is before the Supreme Court.
As of now, Karnataka's DPR on the Mekedatu project is before the Cauvery Water Management Authority (CWMA) and the matter is also before the Union Environment Ministry for clearance.
The state budget 2022-23, presented by Bommai recently, provided a grant of Rs 1,000 crore this year for implementation of the project.
The Mekedatu multi-purpose (drinking and power) project involves building a balancing reservoir near Kanakapura in Ramanagara district. The estimated Rs 9,000-crore project, once completed, is aimed at ensuring drinking water to Bengaluru and neighbouring areas (4.75 TMC) and it can also generate 400 MW of power.
Raising the issue during the zero hour, senior Congress MLA and former water resources minister H K Patil, referring to the resolution passed by the Tamil Nadu Assembly, said, "They are unnecessarily trying to cause hindrance to a developmental project of the state."
Intervening, Leader of Opposition Siddaramaiah said Tamil Nadu's resolution is 100 per cent "illegal"; the government and the assembly there don't have any legal right to pass such a resolution, and they have done it for mere political reasons.
"Other than Tamil Nadu's share of 177.25 tmc water (in normal years), in the last seven to eight year, about 582 tmc excess water has flown to that state, which is our water...They are now objecting if we want to use our share of surplus water," the Congress leader said, suggesting that Karnataka too pass a unanimous resolution condemning Tamil Nadu's move and put pressure on the Centre to give necessary clearances.
"If needed, an all-party delegation should be taken to the PM and Union Water Resources Minister to present our case," he added.
Former chief minister B S Yediyurappa said Tamil Nadu is unnecessarily trying to cause impediment in Karnataka's effort to exercise right over its share of water. "This is not the first time, they have done it repeatedly."
The Chief Minister should meet the Prime Minister and concerned Union ministers if required and put pressure on the Centre and get necessary clearances for the project, he said. "We are not asking for anything illegal. We are asking for our rightful share. We should make our stand clear to the Centre as well."
JD(S) leader H D Kumaraswamy said Tamil Nadu's resolution has "no value" and since 1924 has been objecting to the state's projects regarding Cauvery water.
Karnataka has every right and opportunity, technically and legally, to implement the Mekedatu project, he said, adding that the state government should show its commitment by getting necessary clearances from the Centre.
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Nicobar Tribal Council Alleges FRA Violations in Great Nicobar Wildlife Sanctuaries
Sri Vijaypuram (Port Blair): The Tribal Council of Little and Great Nicobar has alleged fresh violations of the Forest Rights Act in the notification of three wildlife sanctuaries linked to the Centre’s ₹92,000-crore Great Nicobar Island project, even as the Calcutta High Court is set to hear petitions challenging the mega project over similar concerns next month.
The Union government had, in October 2022, notified three wildlife sanctuaries in parts of Little Nicobar Island, Menchal Island and Meroe Island for the conservation of leatherback turtles, megapodes and coral ecosystems. The move came after the government acknowledged that the proposed infrastructure project on Great Nicobar Island would affect coral colonies and nesting habitats of endangered species.
However, the tribal council has maintained that the sanctuaries were declared without consultation with the Nicobarese communities who traditionally inhabit and manage these islands.
In a letter dated April 23 addressed to the Assistant Conservator of Forests of the Nicobar Forest Division, the council reiterated its opposition to the sanctuaries and objected to the formation of a committee to determine eco-sensitive zones around the protected areas.
The council said its chairman had not been consulted before being included in the committee and was informed of his membership only a month after the committee was constituted.
The three notified sanctuaries include the Leatherback Turtle Sanctuary in parts of Little Nicobar Island, the Megapode Sanctuary covering the entire Menchal Island and the Coral Sanctuary spanning the whole of Meroe Island.
According to the council, Menchal and Meroe islands hold deep cultural and spiritual significance for the Nicobarese community, which believes the islands are inhabited by the spirits of their ancestors.
The council demanded that the sanctuary notifications be revoked and the eco-sensitive zone committee dissolved, alleging that both decisions were taken against the wishes of the indigenous community.
Meanwhile, Jairam Ramesh has written to Tribal Affairs Minister Jual Oram alleging violations of the Forest Rights Act in the process of obtaining consent for diversion of forest land for the Great Nicobar project.
Ramesh argued that consent should have been obtained through the Tribal Council representing the Nicobarese communities instead of through Gram Sabhas representing settler families. He also questioned how the government-controlled Andaman Adim Janjati Vikas Samiti could provide consent on behalf of the Shompen community, classified as a Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group.
He urged the Tribal Affairs Ministry to intervene and seek withdrawal of clearances granted for the project under the Forest Rights Act.
Earlier, Ramesh had also written to Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav alleging that environmental impact studies for the project were conducted in haste and without the detailed seasonal assessments mandated under environmental laws.
The dispute dates back to 2022 when the Andaman and Nicobar administration initiated the process for notifying the three sanctuaries before holding Special Gram Sabhas for diversion of forest land linked to the Great Nicobar project.
In May that year, the administration invited objections and claims regarding the proposed sanctuaries. Subsequently, on July 19, the Nicobar Deputy Commissioner certified that no objections or claims had been received.
The tribal council later wrote to the district administration stating that the notification process was carried out without ensuring that residents of Little Nicobar Island were informed as required by law. It alleged that no public announcements seeking objections were made in villages such as Bahua, Muhincoihn and Kiyang, whose residents traditionally use and manage parts of the notified areas.
The council said the Nicobarese community had protected the islands and wildlife for generations through customary practices and traditional belief systems.
It further argued that the sanctuaries would interfere with long-standing rights over forests and coastal areas. They noted that these areas are used for rituals, plantations, collection of forest produce, construction of huts and canoes, harvesting medicinal plants and worship.
In November 2024, the council objected to draft Island Coastal Regulation Zone plans, demanding basic infrastructure, instead of proposed eco-tourism activities in the sanctuaries. The council demanded better public restrooms, jetties, water facilities, pathways, and mobile connectivity.
The Nicobar administration issued a clarification in May 2025, stating that the sanctuaries would not affect hunting rights available to Scheduled Tribes in the Nicobar Islands. The council, however, rejected the clarification, stating that their dependence on forests and coasts extended far beyond hunting activities.
Earlier this month, a Bench led by the Chief Justice of the Calcutta High Court dismissed preliminary objections raised by the Union government against petitions challenging the diversion of forest land for the Great Nicobar project. The matter has now been listed for final hearing in June.
