What are Inter State Water Disputes? Give Examples

By Balaji

Updated on: March 9th, 2023

Inter State Water Disputes are known When two or more states disagree over how to use, distribute, or control a river that flows through two or more states. Water, which is essential for drinking, cleaning, agriculture, and industry, is one of the most basic needs for humans. Only interstate rivers and river valleys are covered by the IRWD Act. The interests of one or more other states should be impacted by the actions of one state.

Table of content

1. Inter State Water Disputes
2. Examples of Interstate Water Disputes
3. What are Inter-State Water Disputes? Give Examples

Inter State Water Disputes

The IRWD Act considers the water dispute to have occurred (Section 3). It can be divided into two independent parts to clarify the IRWD Act’s technical-legal application.

The distribution of water among the states may be uneven, which could harm federal relations.
The need for irrigation in agriculture was the most powerful political expression of water disputes in our country.
On July 25, 2019, Jal Shakti Minister Mr. Gajendra Singh Shekhawat introduced the Interstate River Water Disputes Amendment Bill in the Lok Sabha.
The Act establishes the procedures for resolving disputes involving the waters of interstate rivers and river valleys.
As India employs a dualistic theory in its implementation, and river water sharing agreement entered into with another nation must be approved by the Parliament in accordance with the provisions of Article 262 after the share of the riparian states in India has been determined.

Examples of Interstate Water Disputes

Here is a list of some interstate water disputes in India and the states that are involved in them. Some of the rivers that are involved in these disputes include – Ravi, Beas, Sutlej, Kaveri, Narmada, Periyar, Krishna, and Godavari.

Rivers concerned	States concerned
Ravi, Beas, and Sutlej	Punjab, Haryana, and Rajasthan
Cauvery	Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Kerala, Puducherry
Periyar	Tamil Nadu, Kerala
Narmada	Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Rajasthan
Krishna-Godavari	Maharashtra, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha

Interstate water disputes are a serious matter for the nation, as unequal water distribution can disturb federal relations. Moreover, this is a major political agenda in the nation as many political leaders use interstate water disputes as an effective political expression during elections.

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