Mahanadi Water Dispute: A Shift from Litigation to Dialogue

Syllabus: Geography, Polity (UPSC GS I & II)
Source: Hindustan Times

Context

After years of legal proceedings before the Mahanadi Water Disputes Tribunal, the states of Odisha and Chhattisgarh have agreed to seek a mutual resolution for sharing the waters of the Mahanadi River.

Mahanadi River – Overview

Importance:
The Mahanadi is a major east-flowing river in peninsular India. It is known for its high silt load, frequent historical floods, and agricultural relevance. The name comes from Sanskrit: ‘Maha’ (great) + ‘Nadi’ (river).

Geographic Spread

Origin:

• Near Pharsiya village, Dhamtari district, Chhattisgarh
• In the Nagri Sihawa Hills (~442 metres elevation)

Length:

• Around 900 km

States Covered:

• Chhattisgarh (upper and middle basin)
• Odisha (lower basin and delta)
• Minor areas in Jharkhand, Maharashtra, and Madhya Pradesh

Drainage:

• Drains into the Bay of Bengal, near Paradip (Odisha)

Basin Area:

• Around 1.32 lakh sq. km

Major Tributaries

Left Bank Tributaries:

• Seonath (Shivnath)
• Hasdeo
• Mand
• Ib

Right Bank Tributaries:

• Ong
• Tel
• Jonk

Key Features and Ecological Significance

• Hirakud Dam (Odisha):
  One of the longest earthen dams in the world. Built for flood control, irrigation, and hydropower.
• Satkosia Gorge:
  A scenic and ecologically important region in the Eastern Ghats.
• Delta System:
  One of the largest deltas in India, shared with the Brahmani River, supporting farming, fishing, and port activity.
• Biodiversity:
  Rich in bird species, fish diversity, and tiger reserves.

Significance of the Recent Agreement

• From Dispute to Dialogue:
  Reflects a move toward cooperative federalism in managing natural resources.
• Role of Central Government:
  A Joint Committee led by the Central Water Commission (CWC) is proposed to help reach a technical and fair solution.
• Model for Other Disputes:
  This initiative could be a guiding example for resolving other inter-state river disputes.