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Environment
Water for People
and People for Water
by VK
Joshi
 Our survival
is linked with availability of water on this planet. Isn't it an irony that
once upon a time more than three fourths of this planet was water and
now today often reports of strife for water appear in the media and many
green fields have become dry. Govindasamy Agoramoorthy of College of
Environmental and Health Sciences, Tajen University, Yanpu, Taiwan, says
in his paper published in the June 2008 issue of the Current Science
that water is one amongst greatest looming commodities in 21st century.
The conflict between ever rising population on this planet and
availability of fresh potable water has already started and may worsen
with time!
India, China, Mexico, Thailand, USA, northern Africa and Middle East are
facing the problem of falling water tables. To make the matters worse
there are 260 trans-border rivers that flow from one country to the
other worldwide and are potential security threat. Unlike human beings,
water and air can not be restricted to political boundaries. The problem
of availability water has attained gargantuan proportions.
Govindasamy has recorded the excessive and aggressive pumping of water
by the farmers from two check dams located in the Ahu River a tributary
of Kali Sindh in Jhalawar District, Rajasthan. Such check dams
constructed on the rivulets in Rajasthan have revolutionized many areas.
Arvari, another River in Alwar district used to be bone dry, but the
efforts of Tarun Bharat Sangh led by Magsaysay Award winner, Waterman of
India Mr Rajendra Singh the river has started flowing again. The
revolution is curtsey the check dams constructed by the villagers,
supported by the NGOs or the government.
In case of Ahu River two check dams have been constructed by the
villagers with funds provided by the government and Tata Trusts. The
check dams increased the area of irrigation by 500 acres. Not only
irrigation, 25 million cubic feet water impounded by the check dams also
benefited 107 households and catered to their drinking water demands.
But alas, the farmers treated the impounded water in Ahu River like the
golden egg laying hen. Seeing the benefits, people from villages from
distances as long as three to six km) placed hose pipes and started to
draw water. Excessive drawl of water dried up the source. Ignorant
villagers even dug up holes in the river bed in the hope of getting
water, but of no avail. Amongst the semi-arid regions Jhalawar is one of
the most poorly developed districts. The acute need for water deprives
people of the logic. Hence such actions are routine.
In order to manage such situations there is a need for the strategy of
water for people and people for water. If we take a transact across the
country from extreme north to the southern tip we find the rocky
Himalayan terrain which also includes the rocky desert, Laddakh and the
rainless, cloudless country of Lahul and Spiti to several river valleys
with abundant vegetation. Finally the alluvial plains of Indus and
Ganges river systems emerge formed by the alluvium brought by the rivers
and deposited as vast flat grounds. These are the granaries of the
country. Further southwards, in the Deccan plateau the terrain gets
hilly and rocky with sparse patches of alluvium. The rivers traversing
through these hills have their own valleys which are often fertile.
Problem is that in rocky terrain there is dearth of agricultural land
and in alluvium country there is dearth (read mismanagement) of water.
Water for irrigation or drinking is like a bank account. If it is an
open account from which everyone tries to withdraw money, the account
will soon go into red. That is what had happened in the Ahu River. If
the account holders are made to understand that the money in the bank
belongs to all of them and limits of withdrawal are fixed and days are
also fixed and above all if everyone sticks to the guidelines, then the
chances of account becoming bankrupt are less. Similarly, if there is a
recharge mechanism and people adhere to the set guidelines of not
withdrawing water beyond specified limits the chances of depletion of
water levels beyond redeemable point are reduced.
In the agriculture sector there is a dire need for research in the field
of less water consuming crops. Farmer's co-operatives manned by farmers
to set up regulations regarding withdrawal of water will go a long way
in controlling the misuse of the available resource. During irrigation
of fields lot of water is wasted. Educating the farmers on techniques of
checking wastage of water will be of great help.
When the demand increases, often the villagers try to raise the heights
of the check dams. This might augment the water storage, but
simultaneously it also increases the chances of submerging more land and
may be habitats at times. Thus civil construction activities should be
done only under the guidance of competent engineers.
Much of the alluvial country in India depends on tube-wells for
irrigation. In tube-well also the problem of recharge remains. Ground
water recharge depends upon rainfall and to some extent upon the rivers,
where they feed the aquifers. Because of laxity or lack of stringent
laws more water is pumped out through legal, illegal bores than what
goes in. Again as said earlier, in the farming sector if people manage
water situation might improve. But of course before such practices are
adopted thorough training of people will be required and some check
measures also, so that all the water is not usurped by those who matter!
As per a report of the International Water Management Institute (IWMI),
London around 700 scientists involved in managing agriculture water
round the world have conveyed the same message, 'manage the resources
now before it is too late'. The water shortage is growing by the day. In
50 years the food consumption amongst humans has more than doubled.
People are consuming more calories than before. IMWI's report has some
interesting facts that make the statistical terms understandable by a
lay man. It says 'Imagine a canal, 10 meters deep, 100 meters wide and
7.1 million kilometers long—long enough to encircle the globe 180 times.
This is the amount of water it takes each year to produce food for
today's 6.5 billion people". Total global freshwater withdrawals are
estimated to be 3800 cubic kilometers. Out of which 70% are used to
irrigation, 20% for industry and 10% are used by the municipalities.
India being a developing nation deserves a special mention. Water
management is need of the hour. P. Nandakumaran of the Central
Groundwater Board (CGWB) reports in the June issue of the Current
Science that dynamic groundwater resources of India have been computed
as 433 Billion Cubic Meters (BCM). Keeping 34 BCM for natural discharge
the net annual groundwater availability for the entire country is of the
order of 399 BCM.
Considering the limitations in availability of 'blue water'— water from
rivers, lakes, ponds, ice and snow and subsurface waters, it is
important to prioritise conservation of 'green waters'—rain water and
water from evapo-transpiration. In other words, every drop of water that
falls from the skies needs to be accounted for. Similarly trees and
vegetation are the most vital part of the ecosystem of this planet that
maintains the water balance. Obviously their conservation will help is
augmenting the water balance.
It is the poor farmer's lot (farmers with small holdings) that faces the
maximum brunt of water shortage for irrigating their lands. Thus
countries like India need a pro-poor infrastructure development. This
means developing techniques for providing them water easily and cheaply.
As the demand for food is increasing globally, more and more areas are
likely to be converted in to agriculture lands. More agriculture will
naturally mean need for more water. Again people have to understand
their water rights and responsibilities too.
The productivity of water needs to be increased. All types of
agriculture systems can sustain with types of crops that consume less
water. In other words develop crops that would consume less water but
yield more food.
Rejuvenation of ancient Indian systems of rain water irrigation with the
help of modern technology is required. The tanks of Rajasthan and
Karnataka are a classic example of the past. They were the ideal
storehouse for water. Alas, instead we have opted for high rise
buildings and now struggling to impose 'roof top rainwater harvesting'.
Well no harm with that, but strategically located tanks would go a long
way to revive the water scenario.
Small co-operatives to manage local water resources or micro-water
resources will go a long way. Initially they might require support from
the governments, but ultimately people will realize that 'water for
people and people for water' is the only option to survive.
August 3, 2008
Image under license with
Gettyimages.com
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