Mullaperiyar Dam: History, Issues, and Supreme Court's Latest Directive

Why in news?

• The Supreme Court has directed the Mullaperiyar Dam safety panel to review Tamil Nadu's repair and maintenance concerns and submit a report.

About Mullaperiyar Dam

• Type: Masonry Gravity Dam (relies on weight to resist water pressure)
• River: Periyar River, originating in the Western Ghats, Kerala​
• Construction Period: 1887–1895
• Location: Thekkady, Idukki District, Kerala, near the Tamil Nadu border
• Elevation: 881 meters (2,890 feet) above sea level in the Cardamom Hills

Purpose & Operations

• Primary Use: Water diversion from the Periyar River basin to the Vaigai River basin for irrigation and domestic needs in Tamil Nadu.
• Operated By: Tamil Nadu, despite being located in Kerala, under a 999-year lease agreement from British rule.

Major Issues & Controversies

1. Safety Concerns:
   • Kerala warns of structural risks due to the dam's 126-year-old age and seismic activity in the region.
2. Legal Disputes:
   • Ongoing Supreme Court cases between Kerala and Tamil Nadu over water rights and dam safety.
3. Environmental Impact:
   • Potential biodiversity loss and displacement of tribal communities due to ecological changes.