STATE OF KARNATAKA Vs. STATE OF ANDHRA PRADESH

JUDGEMENT

(1.) While agreeing with the main judgments of brother Pattanaik.J. in Original Suits Nos. 1 and 2 of 1997 and supplementary concurring judgment of brother Majmudar,J. in Original Suit No. 2 of 1997, I am persuaded to place on record some of my observations in addition, which have been necessitated on account of the unreasonable, unrealistic, motivated and contradictory attitudes adopted and changed from time to time by the riparian States of Krishna river basin, obviously under local pressures and political compulsions. It is hoped and expected from responsible representative governments of the States concerned that they would give due weight to the tremendous work done by the Krishna Water Disputes Tribunal and realise their constitutional obligations to the nation, being important and mighty Constituents of the Federation, the Union of India, keeping in view our observations in the judgment.

(2.) Water is a unique gift of nature which has made the planet earth habitable. Life can not be sustained without water. In the National Water Policy issued by the Government of India in 1987, it was declared that water is a prime natural resource, a basic human need and a precious national asset. Water, like air, is the essence for human survival. The history of water availability and its user is tied up with the history of biologically evolution in all civilizations. It will not be wrong to say that not only the life started in water but rather water is life itself. It is essential for mankind, animals, environment, flora and fauna. There is no denial of the fact that in the ancient times water played an important role in the origin, development and growth of civilization all over the globe. Water is an important factor in the economic development of the countries which ultimately affects the social and human relations between the habitants. Planned development and proper utilization of water resources can serve both as a cause as well as an effect off the prosperity of a nation. Water on earth is available in the form of frozen snow, rivers lakes, springs, water ways, water falls and aqueducts, etc.

(3.) In this galaxy and the environment surrounding the earth, its hydrosphere segment mostly consists of water in the shape of oceans. Out of the total available water on earth 97.3% water is such which can not be utilised for the benefit of the humanity. Only 2.07 % water is available for consumption and mankind's utilization. Out of this consumable water 30% is used for irrigation , 7% for domestic and 12% for industrial purposes. Rest of the water goes waste on account of mismanagement and the lack of facilities of better utilisation. Whereas water is scarce and limited, its users are numerous and ever increasing. With the development in the living standards of the people, the consumption of the water is increasing everyday without there being any corresponding increase in its total availability. According to an estimate in World Book Encyclopaedia, on an average a person needs about 60,600 ltrs. of water during his life time and in industrial countries like U.S.A. each person presently is using about 260 litrs. of water every day. The consumption in our country is however much less. On account of the advancement in the technology and of civilization, water needs are increasing. In their quest to have comfortable life, people want more and more water. Facilities like ACs., garbage disposals, automatic washers and modern bathrooms, earlier considered as luxury are now deemed as necessities of life of a large human population.