Revisiting the diverse perspectives of water rights: The Mahanadi river water dispute saga

As a vital resource, water is convolutedly linked to life, livelihoods, human well-being, and ecosystem health. The history of popular struggle has ensured the recognition of water rights for livelihoods, the right to life, and the right to health. Water supports livelihoods through consumption, agriculture, and industrial activities. However, when water distribution retained inequality between agriculture and industry or upstream and downstream states, the interstate conflict started between or among the states. In the Mahanadi River Water Dispute, a water conflict occurs between Odisha and Chhattisgarh because of the uneven distribution of water resources between them. This is because of the construction of the barrages by the upstream state in the upper part of the river. This dispute also resulted in a political disagreement. Odisha and Chhattisgarh have a continuous tussle or fight for lives, livelihoods, and water rights. Both riparian states fight for their water rights from the perspective of water for basic, ecosystem, livelihood, and socio-cultural needs. This research paper seeks to understand the complexity inherent in India's on-going water dispute. It examines the theoretical reinforcements of the debate, which are engrained in the concepts of 'right,' 'need,' and 'want' as they narrate water as a natural resource. These concepts are essential for understanding water dissemination's societal and economic implications. However, Civil Society Organizations play a significant role in the fight for Mahanadi Water Rights. This paper also highlights some important challenges faced by the disputant states and the Union Government. It also focuses on some course of actions to solve the water controversy between Odisha and Chhattisgarh.