1: Introduction and Background of the Mullaperiyar Dam

- The Mullaperiyar Dam is situated after the confluence of the Mullayar and Periyar rivers, hence its name.

- The construction of the dam started in 1887 and got completed in 1895.

- Despite being located in Kerala, the dam is operated by the Tamil Nadu Government based on the Periyar Lake Lease Agreement from the British rule of 1886.

- The dam's primary purpose is to divert the waters of the River Periyar eastwards to the arid regions of the Theni, Madurai, Sivaganga, and Ramanathapuram districts in Tamil Nadu.

- The dam fulfilled the water needs of the temple town of Madurai in Tamil Nadu.

- The construction led to the creation of an artificial lake at the Center of the Reserve, covered by the Periyar Tiger Reserve.

2: Mullaperiyar Dam in Current News

- The Supreme Court has recently instructed the Survey of India to inspect if a proposed mega car park by Kerala near the Mullaperiyar dam infringes the regulations dictated by the Periyar Lake Lease Agreement of October 1886.

3: Significance and Agreement of Mullaperiyar Dam

- As per the Periyar Lake Lease Agreement, Tamil Nadu was granted the exclusive right and liberty to use the particular land at the Mullayar and Periyar rivers' confluence.

- The agreement also provided Tamil Nadu 100 acres for constructing the dam.

- The Periyar Lease Agreement permitted Tamil Nadu to divert water from the Mullaperiyar river basin in Kerala to Theni to provide irrigation to five arid districts.

- The agreement also granted the right to the neighbouring state, Tamil Nadu, to use water from the dam for agricultural purposes.

Overall, the Mullaperiyar Dam is a historical and infrastructural marvel of India, and the recent Supreme Court directive brings it back into the national spotlight. The dam continues to serve as an essential provider of water to several Tamil Nadu districts, marking a crucial episode in inter-state water sharing in India.