DROUGHT CRISIS IN KODAGU

TAG: GS 1: GEOGRAPHY

THE CONTEXT: Kodagu, a district in Southern Karnataka known for its lush landscapes and coffee estates, is grappling with an unprecedented drought crisis.

EXPLANATION:

• The iconic Cauvery River, originating from Talakaveri has dwindled to a trickle, posing threats to wildlife, livelihoods, and the environment.
• Groundwater levels have witnessed a notable decrease over the past decade. Data spanning from 2014 to 2023 indicates a consistent decline in the static water levels of both dug wells and borewells.
• According to records from the district groundwater office, borewell groundwater levels plummeted to 15.7 metres (m) in 2023, from 13.4 m in 2014. A minor improvement was noted at 12.9 m in 2018.
• Similarly, the groundwater level in dug wells exhibited a downward trajectory, decreasing to 6.7 m from 6 m during the same period, with a temporary upturn observed at 5.8 m in 2021.

Causes of the Drought Crisis:

• Altered Rainfall Patterns: Kodagu, once characterized by abundant rainfall, is now experiencing erratic precipitation patterns attributed to climate change.
• Water Extraction: Increased extraction of water during drought exacerbates the decline in groundwater levels, worsening the crisis.
• Rapid Urbanization: Uncontrolled urban expansion and land conversion for commercial purposes contribute to environmental degradation and water scarcity.
• Land Conversion: Conversion of coffee estates into housing layouts for tourism development further diminishes green cover and exacerbates ecological challenges.

Impacts on Environment and Economy:

• Wildlife Deprivation: Diminished water sources adversely affect wildlife, particularly elephants reliant on the Cauvery for sustenance, leading to conflicts and endangerment of species.
• Loss of Livelihoods: The drought disrupts livelihoods dependent on the river’s vitality, including tourism, agriculture, and related industries, leading to economic losses and social upheaval.
• Coffee Crop Failure: The backbone of Kodagu’s economy, coffee farming, faces a dual threat of accelerated blossoms due to the sun and crop failure due to rain scarcity, causing distress among growers and impacting India’s coffee production.

Community Concerns and Activism:

• Local Activism: Concerned locals and environmental activists advocate for stringent measures to mitigate the crisis, including catchment area conservation policies and regulations on land use and tourism activities.
• Political Advocacy: Organizations like the Kodava National Council (CNC) highlight the ecological and cultural significance of Kodagu, urging authorities to halt large-scale land conversions and hold accountable those responsible for environmental degradation.

Proposed Solutions and Mitigation Strategies:

• Catchment Area Conservation: Implementation of policies to protect essential river catchments, including limitations on land conversion and controls on urban expansion, to safeguard Kodagu’s delicate ecology.
• Regulation of Tourism: Stringent regulations on tourism activities to prevent further degradation of natural habitats and mitigate human-wildlife conflicts.
• Sustainable Agriculture Practices: Promotion of sustainable farming practices to conserve water resources and mitigate the impact of climate change on agriculture.
• Community Engagement: Involvement of local communities in conservation efforts and sustainable resource management to ensure long-term resilience against drought and environmental degradation.

Cauvery River:

• The Kaveri is one of the major Indian rivers flowing through the states of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.
• The Kaveri River rises at Talakaveri in the Brahmagiri range in the Western Ghats, Kodagu district of the state of Karnataka, at an elevation of 1,341 m above mean sea level and flows for about 800 km before its outfall into the Bay of Bengal.
• It reaches the sea in Poompuhar, in Mayiladuthurai district.
• It is the third largest river – after Godavari and Krishna – in southern India, and the largest in the state of Tamil Nadu, which, on its course, bisects the state into north and south.
• In ancient Tamil literature, the river was also called Ponni (the golden mother, in reference to the fine silt it deposits).
• The Kaveri is a sacred river to the people of southern India and is worshipped as the Goddess Kaveramme (Mother Cauvery).
• It is considered to be among the seven holy rivers of India. It is extensively used for agriculture in Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.

SOURCE: https://www.downtoearth.org.in/news/climate-change/drought-grips-kodagu-cauvery-river-runs-dry-posing-threat-to-wildlife-and-livelihoods-95931