Mysuru: The Cauvery Kutumbam, a farmers' initiative involving farmers from both Karnataka and Tamil Nadu to find an amicable solution for the Cauvery water dispute, decided to meet experts on the construction of the Mekedatu (Karnataka) and Rasimanal (Tamil Nadu) dams.
A decision in this regard was taken in the meeting of the organisation held in the city on Tuesday.
Speaking on the occasion, convener of the organisation, Janakaraj, said if farmers from both states discuss the issue with an open mind, problems can be found easily.He warned that if we fail to utilise river water judiciously, both states may face a water crisis in the future. "Our failure to utilise the water judiciously resulted in more disputes," he said.
Activist and farmers' leader from Mandya, Sunanda Jayaram, said Tamil Nadu should not force the state to release water even when the state faces a water crisis. "In Mandya itself, farmers are now facing a water crisis. The Tamil Nadu farmers must understand this," she said.
PR Pandyan, a farmers' leader from Tamil Nadu, said if farmers are able to come to a consensus, the dispute can be resolved. He stated that the Mekedatu project may cause problems for the farmers of Tamil Nadu.
State Sugarcane Farmers Association chief Kurburu Shanthakumar stated that the need of the hour is utilising the Cauvery water more effectively and to a maximum level.
Farmers' leaders from Tamil Nadu invited their Karnataka counterparts to visit Rasimanal, where a new dam is proposed across River Cauvery. Later, all the farmers visited the KRS dam in Mandya district.