Explanation: The Mullaperiyar dam is a significant water resource project located in the Western Ghats of Kerala, India. Despite its geographical location in Kerala, the dam is under the control of Tamil Nadu. This unique arrangement is due to a historical agreement between the Madras Presidency (now Tamil Nadu) and the Kingdom of Travancore (now part of Kerala) in 1886. The agreement was later ratified by the Government of India in 1970, formalizing the control of the dam by Tamil Nadu.
The Mullaperiyar dam was constructed in the late 19th century to provide water for irrigation and power generation in the Madras Presidency. The dam is situated on the Periyar River, which originates in the Western Ghats and flows through Kerala. The water from the dam is diverted to the Vaigai River in Tamil Nadu, which is crucial for the agricultural needs of the region.
The control of the Mullaperiyar dam has been a contentious issue between the states of Kerala and Tamil Nadu. Kerala has argued that the dam is unsafe and that the control should be transferred to Kerala for better maintenance and safety measures. Tamil Nadu, on the other hand, has maintained that the dam is essential for its water needs and that it should retain control over the dam.
The legal and political disputes surrounding the Mullaperiyar dam have been ongoing for decades, with various court rulings and negotiations between the two states. Despite these disputes, the control of the dam remains with Tamil Nadu, as per the historical agreement and subsequent legal validations.
Understanding the control of the Mullaperiyar dam is crucial for students studying the geography and politics of South India, particularly the inter-state relations and water resource management issues. It highlights the complexities of managing shared resources and the historical, legal, and political factors that influence such arrangements.