'Cauvery family' hopes to find a solution soon

The Madras Institute of Development Studies (MIDS), Chennai, that has initiated steps to build cordial relationship among farmers of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu in the wake of Cauvery dispute, held another round of talks with the 'Cauvery family', which comprises farmers' representatives of both these states.

Addressing the media after holding the talks, S Janakarajan of MIDS said they were hopeful of finding a solution soon. The objective of bringing the farmers together on to a common platform and taking a pragmatic view of the situation in Cauvery basin had been achieved, he added.

The farmers had met at various locations in both these states and had received first-hand information of the farming community.

The long-pending inter-state dispute on sharing of Cauvery water showed visible mistrust between the farmers in these states. To resolve the issue and find an amicable solution, MIDS initiated talks between the farmers of these two states way back in April 2003.

The next round of talks is slated on June 7 at Mysore. The 'Cauvery family' would involve social activists, engineers and experts in water management to prepare a formula for water sharing.

The family, with the support of MIDS, would also launch awareness campaigns to sensitise farmers and their families at the grassroot level. The meeting at Trichy resolved to come out with CDs and booklets for the campaign.

The final decision on the sharing of Cauvery water by the tribunal/authorities concerned will be accepted and the family would focus on using the river in the larger interest of the country.

However, the concept of 'Cauvery family' will not end with this. Using the facilities provided by MIDS, the 'Cauvery family' would set up a Western Ghat Protection Council, which will involve the general public, farmers, social activists and technical experts of Kerala, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.

Discussions in this regard have already begun and the issues to be sorted out would include the long pending row between Kerala and Tamil Nadu over Mullapperiyar dam and the rampant deforestation in the region.