The Cauvery River Water Dispute: A Human Rights Perspective

Water sharing conflicts exist worldwide. The Cauvery River, in southern India is at the center of the dispute. The Cauvery conflict between Tamil Nadu and Karnataka re-emerges when rainfall in the south west is in adequate in the region. Historically, the conflict was over water rights, and the conflicting states used the river for agriculture. In the late 1980s, water resources in the region became scarce due to industrialization and population growth. This paper attempts to examine analyses the political and legal frame work of the Cauvery river conflict. The main objective of this paper is also to examine the human sufferings and human rights violations due to Cauvery water dispute which is less explored. The Cauvery river provides drinking water to numerous villages, towns and cities in Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. Many industries in both states are dependent on the Cauvery River for their water needs. There is a long-standing dispute which has recently led to a conflict between the two states. The cumulative bitterness and misunderstandings between the people of the two states hide the common needs of farmers and the environment on both sides of the border. Here's anin-depth look at the historical, political, recent and human rights aspects of this dispute.