Description

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Context

The Supreme Court has asked Tamil Nadu and Kerala to resolve contentious issues with the Mullaperiyar dam through expert assistance.

About Mullaperiyar Dam

Location

The Mullaperiyar Dam is located in the Cardamom Hills of the Western Ghats near Kumily in the Idukki district, on the Kerala-Tamil Nadu border.

PC: Prokerala

Construction

The dam, built in 1895 with limestone and surkhi, diverts water from the Periyar River in Kerala to Tamil Nadu's Vaigai basin for irrigation and drinking water.

Name of the Dam	Mullaperiyar Dam
Type	Masonry gravity dam
River	Built at the confluence of the Mullayar and Periyar rivers
Location	Thekkady, Idukki district, Kerala
Altitude	881 meters above sea level
Mountain Range	Western Ghats
Construction Period	Began in 1887, completed in 1895
Constructed By	British Corps of Royal Engineers under Colonel John Pennycuick
Materials Used	Limestone and “Surkhi” (burnt brick powder + sugar + calcium oxide)
Height	53.6 meters (176 feet)
Length	365.7 meters (1,200 feet)
Storage Capacity	443 million cubic meters (11.5 billion cubic feet)
Reservoir Area	8.5 square kilometers (artificial lake created)
Surroundings	Periyar National Park – a rich biodiversity hotspot
Purpose	Transfer water to Vaigai River basin in Tamil Nadu for irrigation and power generation
Operational Control	Managed by Tamil Nadu, although the dam is located in Kerala
Lease Agreement	999-year lease made during British rule giving operational rights to Tamil Nadu

Controversy and Interstate Dispute

Tamil Nadu emphasizes the dam's safety and usefulness for water supply.
Kerala emphasizes the risks posed by future breaches, particularly in light of recent climate-induced disasters such as landslides.
It is located in a seismically active zone, which raises additional safety issues, particularly during heavy rains.
Tamil Nadu wants the water level raised to 142 feet in compliance with a 2014 Supreme Court judgment, while Kerala wants to keep it at 139 feet due to dam damage and environmental concerns. Kerala also has concerns regarding the fairness of the lease deal.

About Periyar River

The Periyar River, which stretches 244 km, is Kerala's longest river, gaining the nickname "Lifeline of Kerala" due to its constant flow.
Its primary tributaries are Muthirapuzha, Mullayar, Cheruthoni, and Perinjankutti, which originate in the Sivagiri hills of Tamil Nadu and flow through Periyar National Park.

Source: The Hindu

Practice Question

Q. With reference to the Mullaperiyar Dam, consider the following statements:

The dam is located in Tamil Nadu and serves irrigation purposes for Kerala.
It is situated in the Western Ghats within the boundaries of Periyar National Park.
Although located in Kerala, the dam is operated and maintained by Tamil Nadu.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

A. 1 and 2 only
B. 2 and 3 only
C. 1 and 3 only
D. 1, 2 and 3

Correct Answer: B. 2 and 3 only

Explanation:

Statement 1 – Incorrect: The dam is located in Kerala, not Tamil Nadu. It serves irrigation and power generation needs for Tamil Nadu, not Kerala.
Statement 2 – Correct: The dam is situated in the Western Ghats, within the Periyar National Park, a noted biodiversity hotspot.
Statement 3 – Correct: Although geographically located in Kerala, Tamil Nadu operates and maintains the dam under a 999-year lease agreement made during British rule.