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Mullaperiyar 
to burst or not !!!!!!
Periyar literally means big river( peri-big. Aar-river) this though
name suggests is not Comparable to any big rivers of India not to mention
the big rivers of the world. However periyar by all means the biggest
river of this small state that is Kerala.Starting from the western ghats
downwards to the Arabian sea. There are a lot of hydro electric dams
across this river Idukki Sabarigiri are the Notable ones in size.Mullaperiyar
dam is constructed in the kerala portion in the Tamilnadu Kerala boarder.
Built of lime mortar hundred a and five years back still serving
strong this dam is an architectural marvel .at present its height
is 135’. Mullaperiayar dam is built store water and release
it for the agricultural purpose of Tamilnadu which is situated in
rain shadow region and perpetually faces water shortage. Naturally
Kerala which has practically no use with this dam sees this as an
instrument to rob their water resource.
Medias view this situation as an opportunity to the play the role
of champion for the cause of the state. The Leading news papers have
started campaigns that the dam has out lived its life and waiting
for it to break it self is suicidal. If Mullaperiyar collapses the
gush of water would be sufficient to destroy Idukki and sabarigiri
both are no.1 and no.2 in size respectively of the dams in the state
of Kerala. The holocaust in described in details of entire districts
of Idukki Kottayam and Ernakulam being swallowed by flood waters.
Chief ministers are forced to fly to Delhi frequently with memorandum
for lessening the height of the Mullaperiyar dam to ensure safety
–to play safe .In Tamilnadu where sentiments fly higher does
not lag behind; Legislative assembly is flooded with calling attention
notices and all sorts of propagandas .
The central -government also play their roles safe by appointing
comities to see whether the dam is safe in its present form. the recently
appointed in its report has given a clean chit to the smart dam. Controversy
hardly dies down ,The committee comprised of only one member from
Kerala and he was overshadowed the majority members was the next issue.
similarly all the courts see an array of petitions regarding the Democles’s-
sword that is the Poor dam..! Finally the Supreme Court has certified
the safety of the mullaperiyar dam. Tamilnadu government using the
opportunity is all prepared to raise the height of the dam from the
present 135’ to 145’and finally to 152’.
Those who sensationalise the issue practically binds the hands of
their governments making it impossible to find a solution. Kerala
finds it its right to let 95%of the rain water flow directly in to
the sea. Where as Tamilnadu is well known for its judicial use of
its water -resources. The media has to play vital role in reporting
this case with utmost objectivity as dispute with two neighbouring
states can easily flare-up to unmanageable proportions; these two
states are so interlinked that any misunderstanding can break a relationship
that centuries old’ leading to bloodshed and mutiny. After all
publicity and circulation come secondary to people and their livelihood.
Author: Sasi Kumar
Source: Naturemagics.com - website on
Kerala Tourism
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