Pennaiyar River
- Context: The Central Government has filed a petition in the Supreme Court seeking an additional six months’ time to constitute a tribunal regarding the Pennaiyar river water dispute between the states of Tamil Nadu and Karnataka.
- In 2018, the Tamil Nadu government filed a lawsuit alleging that the Karnataka government’s construction of a dam across the Markandeya River (a major tributary of the Pennaiyar) was illegal.
- On February 2, 2026, the Supreme Court of India directed the Central Government to constitute the Pennaiyar River Water Dispute Tribunal within one month.
About the Pennaiyar River
- The Pennaiyar is a major river in South India. It flows through the states of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. It is also known as the Then Pennai, Dakshina Pinakini, Thenpennai, or Ponnaiyar.
- Originating in the Nandi Hills, it flows southward through Karnataka and southeastward through Tamil Nadu, eventually emptying into the Bay of Bengal near Cuddalore.
- With a length of approximately 497 km, this river is the second-longest river in Tamil Nadu.
- The river basin is bounded by ranges of the Eastern Ghats, such as the Velikonda, Nagari, Javadhu, Shevaroy, Chitteri, and Kalvarayan Hills. The Bay of Bengal forms its eastern boundary.
- The Chinnar, Markandeya, Vaniyar, and Pambar are the river’s major tributaries.
- Important reservoirs, such as the Krishnagiri Dam and the Sathanur Dam, play a crucial role in water management within the basin.
- Inter-State River Water Disputes Act, 1956: This Act enables states to request the Central Government to constitute tribunals for the purpose of resolving disputes related to inter-state waters.
- The verdicts of these tribunals are binding in nature.
