Water Resource Sustainability and Resource Management The facts are that 1 billi

Question

Water Resource Sustainability and Resource Management

The facts are that 1 billion people who do not have access to an adequate supply of water and 1.7 billion who do not have adequate sanitation facilities. The quality and reliability of existing services is unacceptably low, and the costs of providing improved services are rising. Another challenge is that of environmentally sustainable development. Water is seriously degraded and is deteriorating rapidly, Fewer financial resources are available for environmental protection, and Institutional capacity is weaker. Problems of high costs and limited resources in recent years, issues of environment and human development have been gathered together under the integrative framework of sustainability (sustainable development), creating unprecedented demands on policy. Major policy processes have been constructed and are producing new and supposedly far reaching agreements, policies and strategies. However palatable it may be politically, the likelihood of these leading to significant positive changes in the environment or human use of it is questionable. Although it is obvious that public policy is experiencing a rush back to the idea of community there remain gaps between environmental sustainability policies and practices faced by industrial nations which are compounded with difficulties in developing countries because of their limited resources, both financial and environmental. Africa’s international waters are a lifeline for its people, important for economic growth, growing food, providing electricity to power homes and businesses, creating jobs and providing critical environmental services. Over 500 million people, or 65 percent of Africa’s total population, are living in 63 trans boundary river basins across the continent. The unique challenges and opportunities related to management and development of international waters warrant a holistic approach to their development – one that cuts across national borders and sectors – and calls for a shift from the conventional perspective of dividing waters, to cooperative action on growing the pie and subsequent sharing of benefits.

Your assignment is to choose a country where their needs/demands for water are currently under met. From a variety of reasons [could be historical or seasonal (Drought)] for the under met water demands. Let me know your country so that I may coordinate the selection among the other students. You have been seeing many in the case studies of the text and probably have happened across a few in your additional reading for this course. You will need to identify the country, or portion of the country, currently in need of water resource planning and management. Analyze the current state of water availability using the most current data you can find. Identify what the issues are specifically and how the country could address their water issue. If the country you choose has embarked on a water management plan then compare their plan to one that you would develop as a result of the information

Explanation / Answer

Need of water resource planning and management in INDIA

Water is essential for sustaining life and at the same time, it is an important component for almost all developmental plans. Obviously the schemes for development of water resources for beneficial use of the society have been taken up since the time immemorial. Considerable progress has been made in respect of water resources development in India after independence through various Plans and such developments have helped in almost five fold increase in creation of irrigation potential. Total created irrigation potential at pre-Plan period was about 22.6 million hectares (Mha) which at present is about 108.2 Mha. There has also been appreciable development in the areas of drinking water supply and other uses. However, growing population, urbanization and industrialization has led to considerable increase in demand of water for various purposes e.g., irrigation, domestic needs, industrial requirements etc.

As mentioned earlier, several projects for utilization of surface water as well as ground water resources have been undertaken. However in some cases, the unplanned development has led to over exploitation of the resource affecting the physical sustainability. The adverse impact of such unplanned development is evident from the alarming decline in water table in some areas. The developmental activities for utilization of water resources as also the development in other sectors particularly industrial sector coupled with urbanization have resulted in pollution of water – both surface water as well as ground water. Further, the utilization of the created facilities is far from optimal as the water sector in India suffers from: (a) relatively low water use efficiency; and (b) increasing gap between the created irrigation potential and the utilized irrigation potential.

In this regard, it may also be important to note that the future development of water resources are bound to be more challenging as the best options particularly from the topographical and geological considerations have since been tapped. Further, the future water resources development projects would need rigorous environmental and social evaluations.

In view of above mentioned challenges and particularly to address the two serious issues namely “food security” and “impact of climate change”, initiatives have been taken by the Ministry of Water Resources to identify the most appropriate approach for water resources management and also to assign priorities.

Despite variations in availability of water, both within and over the years, the long term average available water resources of the country may be considered to remain unchanged. Therefore the increasing demand for water for various purposes are bound to result in competition among the “uses” as well as among the “user groups” and with time such competitions are becoming fiercer and fiercer. The conflicts among the “users groups” are visible in the form of increasing inter-State issues. The prioritization of water uses for different purposes at different point of in the planning process as also during the operation is becoming more and more challenging in view of conflicting social and economic considerations. Such changing scenario calls for identification of most appropriate strategies for effectively addressing the future challenges.

The National Action Plan on Climate Change envisages institutionalization of eight national missions including the “National Water Mission”. Realizing that (a) there are large number of stakeholders in water sector, (b) it involves many Ministries / Departments, (c) key role in implementation is to be played by States, and (d) there are numerous cross cutting issues, Ministry of water resources has carried out very detailed exercise in defining the goals and for identifying the strategies for achieving the goals of the “National Water Mission”. Consultative process adopted for preparation of the Comprehensive Mission Document of National Water Mission was as under.

a. Constitution of a Steering Committee under Secretary (WR) comprising of representatives from (i) Ministries concerned; (b) professional organizations; (c) academic institutions / Experts; and (iv) NGOs

b. In-depth examination of all related issues through Sub-committees on:

- Policy and Institutional Framework;

-Surface water management ;

-Ground water management ;

-Domestic and industrial water management ;

-Efficient use of water for various purposes; and

-Basin level planning and management

c. Active involvement of various Stakeholder

-Sub-committee on efficient water use chaired by the Additional Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture

-Sub-committee on domestic and industrial water management chaired by the joint Secretary, Ministry of Urban Development

-Representatives from States included on all Sub-committees

-Experts / representatives of academic institutions / reputed NGOs in all Subcommittees

d. Circulation of the initial draft for the Mission Document to all States / Union Territories and seeking their views

e. Putting the draft Mission Document on Web Site of the Ministry of Water Resources

f. Consultation with all Central Ministries concerned

g. Organization of National Workshop to deliberate on the proposals included in the draft Mission Document for “National water Mission"

Ministry of Water Resources has also initiated the process of consultation with various stakeholders in respect of review of National Water Policy which inter-alia identifies the priorities in respect of water resources management to address the future challenges. Further, the Government of India constituted a Group of Ministers for Evolving an Integrated Strategy for Water Management. For preparation of the Background Note for consideration of the Group of Ministers, detailed consultations were held with all concerned Central Ministries. The outcomes of such consultations have also been taken into consideration while drafting the “Strategic Plan for Ministry of Water Resources”.

In this regard, it may be mentioned that the water sector has very strong linkages with all other developmental activities. In view of fast changing development scenario, it is emphasized that the key priorities and identified strategies cannot be considered as static and firm.

WATER SECTOR – PRESENT SCENARIO AND FUTURE CHALLENGES

Water Resources of India

.1 Rainfall

The average annual rainfall in the country is about 117 centimeters (cm). The total precipitation including the snowfall, when converted in volumetric terms, works out to be about 4000 billion cubic meters (BCM).

.2 Spatial and Temporal Variations in Rainfall

The average annual rainfall varies considerably from about 1,000 cm in north eastern region to less than 10 cm in western part of Rajasthan. Figure-1 illustrates the variations in the rainfall from one region to the other. In India, the rainfall mostly occurs during the monsoon and that too through a few spells of intense rainfall. It has been estimated that the lower rainfall zone (less than 750 mm annual rainfall) accounts for 33% of net sown area. The medium rain fall zone (750-1125 mm) accounts for 35% of net sown area, the high rain fall zone (1125 to 2000 mm) covers 24% of net sown area where as very high rainfall zone (more than 2000 mm) accounts for remaining 8% of net sown area.

.3 Overall Water Availability

After accounting for the losses due to evaporation, the total average annual water availability for the country has been estimated to be 1869 BCM. However, due to hydrological characteristics and topographical constraints, the utilizable water works out to be only 1123 BCM, out of which about 690 BCM is from surface water and about 433 BCM is through replenishable ground water. However, there are considerable spatial and temporal variations in availability of water as in case of rainfall. The basin-wise average annual water availability is at Annexure – I. Ganga-Brahmaputra river basin contributes to about 60% of the total annual water availability.

As mentioned above replenishable ground water has been estimated to be about 433 BCM. As in case of surface water, there is considerable variation in the availability of ground water resources also. The largest volume of uncommitted surface water is available in the GangesBrahmaputra, Meghna Basin, but the sink is limited since the water table is within 3 m of surface in most parts of the basin. On the other hand, the largest sink is available in the Indus Basin (water table>15m in much of the area), but the volume of un-committed surface water for recharge is restricted. Uncommitted surface water for recharge is also limited in the Krishna, Cauvery, Pennar, Sabarmati, Mahi and Tapi Basins although aquifer space is available in these hard rock areas.

SOME SERIOUS CONCERNS AND INITIATIVES TAKEN

Unsustainable Development

There are many cases of development of projects and schemes for utilization of water resources without proper investigation and planning. Many of the cases of “slipped back” habitation in respect of drinking water supply may also be attributed to unsustainable development without necessary investigations. Over-exploitation of ground water in some areas poses a big challenge for its sustainability. At present, about 15% of the assessment blocks are over-exploited and about 14% of the assessment blocks fall in the category of critical and semi-critical blocks. Figure-3 shows the status of ground water in various Blocks / Mandals / Talukas. Further, highly subsidized irrigation electricity tariffs and favourable investment terms offered for irrigation well construction, have also contributed to indiscriminate level of ground water abstraction. Without effective interventions by State Governments, the situation is likely to continue to deteriorate and may affect even thr drinking water supply. Large numbers of “fully covered habitation” may slip back to “not covered habitations” either due to source drying up or deterioration of ground water quality

Rainwater Harvesting and Ground Water Recharge

Necessary measures in the form of rain water harvesting and ground water recharge and proper management through appropriate legislative measures have been initiated. Ministry of Water Resources has circulated draft model bill for regulation and control of ground water development. So far, 11 States / Union Territories have enacted and implemented the legislation in this regard. 18 other States are in the process of enactment of legislation. Vigorous steps should be taken to follow up with these States to expedite enactment of legislation. Existing ground water legislation in the States needs to be implemented effectively. A scheme for “Artificial Recharge to Ground Water through Dug Wells” has also been launched in 1180 over-exploited, critical and semi-critical blocks of seven States viz., Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Rajasthan and Tamil Nadu during XI Plan. The scheme aims to facilitate improvement in ground water situation in the affected area, to increase the sustainability of wells during lean period, to improve quality of ground water and community involvement in water resources management in the affected areas.

Watershed Development

The programme for soil conservation scheme of the Ministry of Agriculture also helps to some extent in recharge to ground water. Ministry of Agriculture is implementing programme of soil conservation in the catchments of river valley project & flood prone river through Macro Management of Agriculture (MMA) since November 2000. The programme is being implemented in 60 catchments having total catchment area of about 114.44 million hectare, out of which about 30 million hectare is categorized as priority area, needing urgent treatment falling in 27 States of the country. Watershed Development Programme being implemented by Department of Land Resources (Ministry of Rural Development) considerably help in conserving and augmenting ground water. The scheme is being implemented with an outlay of Rs.15,359 crores during XI Plan.

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