CWMA (Syllabus: GS Paper 2 – Polity)

Context: Recently, the Cauvery Water Regulation Committee "instructed" Karnataka to extend the release of 5,000 cubic feet per second (cusecs) of water to Tamil Nadu for an additional 15 days.

Cauvery Water  Management Authority (CWMA)

• It has been created as per the Cauvery Management Scheme earlier framed by Centre and approved by Supreme Court.
• Formation: In 2018 by instructions of the Supreme Court
• Composition: Chairman, a secretary and eight members.

oOut of the eight members, two will be full time, while two will be part time members from centre’s side.

oRest four will be part time members from states.

• Functions: To ensure the enforcement and adherence to the directives of the Supreme Court concerning the "storage, allocation, management, and oversight of Cauvery waters."
• It will also offer guidance to the states on implementing measures to enhance the efficiency of water utilization.

Cauvery

• About: It is the largest river in the Karnatka state.
• Known as:  Dakshina Ganga (the Ganges of the South) and considered one of the sacred rivers of India.
• Origin: Bramahagiri Hills near Madikeri in Coorg.
• Tributaries: Harangi, Hemavathi, Lakshmanatirtha, Kabini, Shimsha, Arkavati, Suvarnavathi or Honnuholé,  Bhavani, Lokapavani, Noyyal, Amaravati.