The Issue: Disagreement between Kerala and Tamil Nadu regarding the Mullaperiyar dam.
It is a 128-year-old masonry gravity dam located in Kerala's Idukki district.
Owned and operated by Tamil Nadu.
Provides water for irrigation in Tamil Nadu.
Kerala's Move:
Requested a new Terms of Reference (ToR) from the Expert Appraisal Committee (EAC) for a new Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) to build a new dam.
Cited expired ToR and need for fresh environmental data due to recent floods.
Importance of Environmental Impact Assessment
EIA is a good tool for prudent environment management.
It is government-policy that any industrial project in India has to secure EIA clearance from the Environment Ministry before approval for the project itself.
Tamil Nadu's Objection:
Claimed Kerala's move violates Supreme Court orders upholding the existing dam's safety.
Argued a new dam needs their permission and Kerala's actions are in contempt of court.
Threatened legal action if Kerala proceeds.
Kerala's Defense:
Rejected Tamil Nadu's claims, stating the Supreme Court previously dismissed objections to the earlier ToR and EIA clearance.
Emphasized the need for a new EIA due to changed environmental conditions.
Requires new ToR for fresh data collection and Detailed Project Report (DPR) for the new dam.
Future:
Legal battle likely as Kerala seeks to build a new dam, requiring Tamil Nadu's consent as per a Supreme Court order.
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