RIVER
CAUVERY - GEOGRAPHY
News:
Cauvery water-sharing
issue: TN to blame for its water woes, can’t release more after Sept 12,
Karnataka tells SC
What's
in the news?
●
Stating that Tamil Nadu has only itself to
blame for its current water woes, the Karnataka government has told the Supreme
Court that it may not be feasible for Karnataka to release any more water after
September 12, as it is “facing severe drought situation both in Cauvery and
Krishna basins”.
Cauvery
River:
●
It is known as ‘Ponni’ in Tamil also known
as Ganga of the south, and it is the
fourth largest river of southern India.
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It is a sacred river of southern India.
Origin:
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Originates from Talakaveri in the Western
Ghats, Karnataka.
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It rises on Brahmagiri Hill of the Western
Ghats in southwestern Karnataka state, flows in a southeasterly direction
through the states of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, and descends the Eastern Ghats in a series of great
falls and drains into Bay of Bengal
through Pondicherry.
Stats:
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Covers a total length of approximately 805kilometers.
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The river basin spans an area of around
81,155square-kilometers.
States
located in the basin:
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Cauvery river basin is spread in the
states of Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Kerala
and the Union Territory of Puducherry.
Tributaries:
●
Left
bank - Harangi, Hemavathi, Shimsa, Arkavathi
●
Right
bank - Lakshmana Theertha, Kabini, Suvarnavathi, Bhavani,
Noyyal, Amaravati.
Cities
located:
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Mysuru
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Srirangapatna
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Shivanasamudra
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Sivasamudram
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Mettur
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Erode
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Karur
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Thanjavur
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Kumbakonam
Other
Key Features:
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Features captivating waterfalls like Shivanasamudra Falls.
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Forms
the fertile Cauvery delta, known as the “Rice Bowl of Tamil Nadu".
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Numerous reservoirs and dams constructed
along the river, such as Krishna Raja Sagara, Kabini, Mettur, and Stanley
Reservoir.
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Supports diverse ecosystems and a wide
range of wildlife, including elephants, tigers, crocodiles, and various bird species.