PMK President Anbumani Ramadoss initiated a public awareness march from Biligundlu to Poompuhar, opposing Karnataka’s Mekedatu dam project on the Cauvery River. Anbumani emphasized the project’s threat to Tamil Nadu’s water security, agriculture, and ecology, urging legal action to halt its progress.
The campaign aims to rally public opinion in Cauvery delta and other river-dependent areas against the proposed reservoir. Anbumani criticized Karnataka’s plan, warning of adverse impacts on Cauvery water flow into Tamil Nadu, affecting irrigation, drinking water supply, and livelihoods of millions.
Highlighting the Cauvery’s significance to Tamil Nadu, Anbumani stressed its importance for over five crore people in the state. He cautioned that the dam’s construction could exacerbate water scarcity by further reducing water flow to Tamil Nadu. Anbumani rejected Karnataka’s argument for the dam, suggesting it could lead to water retention upstream, impacting downstream releases.
Expressing environmental concerns, Anbumani noted the dam’s potential impact on wildlife habitats, including dense forest areas. He urged authorities to reconsider the project in light of ecological implications and criticized Karnataka for not upholding Cauvery water-sharing agreements. Anbumani called for legal action to halt the dam and urged public support, drawing parallels with past movements.
