Mullaperiyar Dam

Published
23rd Apr, 2024

Context

The Supreme Court fixed July 10 for finalising the legal issues to be heard and decided by it in an original suit filed by Tamil Nadu due to its objections to the Survey of India report filed in relation to construction of a mega car park project by Kerala in the Mullaperiyar catchment area

About Mullaperiyar dam case

In 2014, the present suit was filed by Tamil Nadu aggrieved by the construction of a mega car park by Kerala in the Mullaperiyar catchment area.
Through the suit, Tamil Nadu sought to permanently restrain Kerala from encroaching upon the area leased to the former.
In November, 2023, the conflict between the states escalated as National Green Tribunal (Chennai) permitted Kerala to proceed with various projects in the Periyar Tiger Reserve, including the mega car park project.

Fact Box: Mullaperiyar Dam

Mullaperiyar dam is situated on Periyar river in Kerala.
Constructed between: 1887 and 1895
Objective: to divert water of the west-flowing Periyar river to arid regions of the east.
In 1886, the Periyar Lake Lease Agreement was signed between the Maharaja of Travancore (then princely state and reorganized after independence as Kerala) and Secretary of State for British India, for Periyar irrigation works.
After the independence of India, this agreement was renewed by the states of Tamil Nadu and Kerala in 1970, giving Tamil Nadu rights over the land and water related to the dam, as well as authority to develop hydropower projects at the site, while Kerala received rent.