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Water : |
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Water
The need for
a national water policy
Information
System
Maximising availability
Project Planning
Maintenance
and modernisation
Safety of structures
Ground water development
Water
allocation
Drinking Water
Irrigation
Water rates
Participation of farmers and voluntay agencies
Water quality
Water
Zoning
Conservation of water
Flood Control and Management
Land
erosion by Sea or River
Drought Management
Science and Technology
Training
Conclusion
1.
The Need for a National Water Policy
1.1 Water is a prime natural
resource, a basic human need and a precious national asset Planning
and development of water resources need to be governed by national
perspectives.
1.2
It has been estimated that out of the total precipitation of
around 400 million hectare meters in the country, the surface
water availability is about 178 million hectare metres. Out
of this about 50 % can be put to beneficial use because of topographical
and other constraints. In addition there is a ground water potential
of about 42 million hectare metres. The availability of water
is highly uneven in both space and time. Precipitation is confined
to only about three of four months in the year and varies from
10 cm in the western parts of Rajasthan to over 1000 cm. At
Cherrapunji in Meghalaya. Further, water does not respect state
boundaries. Not merely rivers but even underground aquifers
often cut across state boundaries. Water as a resources in one
and indivisible : rainfall, river waters, surface ponds and
lakes and ground water are al part of one system, water is also
a part of larger ecological system.
1.3
Floods and drought affected vast areas of the country, transcending
state boundaries. A third of the country is drought prone. Floods
affect an average area of around 9 million hectares per year.
According to the National Commission on floods, the area susceptible
to floods is around 40 million hectares. The approach to the
management of drought and floods has to be coordinated and guided
at the national level.
1.4
Even the planning and implementation of individual irrigation
or multi purpose projects, though done at the state level, involve
a number of aspects and issues such as environmental protection,
rehabilitation of project- affected people and livestock, public
health consequences of water impoundment, dam safety, etc. On
these matter common approaches and weaknesses have affected
a large number of projects all over the country.. There have
been substantial time and cost overruns on projects. In some
irrigation commands, problems of water logging and soil salinity
have emerged, leading to the degradation of good agricultural
land. There are also complex problems of equity and social justice
in regard to water distribution. The development and exploitation
of the countrys groundwater resources also give rise to questions
of judicious and scientific resource management and conservation.
All these questions need to be tackled on the basis of common
policies and strategies.
1.5
The growth process and the expansion of economic activities
inevitably lead to increasing demands for water for diverse
purpose: domestic, industrial, agricultural, hydro-power, navigation,
recreation, etc. So far, the principal consumptive use of water
has been for irrigation. While the irrigation potential is estimated
to have increased from 19.5 million hectares at the time of
Independence to about 68 million hectares at the end of Sixth
plan, further development of a substantial order is necessary
if the food and fiber needs of a growing population are to be
met. The countrys population which is over750 million at present
is expected to reach a level of around 1000 million by the turn
of the century.
1.6
The production of foodgrains has increased from around 50 million
tonnes in the fifties to about 150 million tonnes at present,
but this will have to be raised to around 240 million tonnes
by the year 200 A.D. The drinking water needs of people and
livestock have also to be met. In keeping with the objective
of the International Drinking Water Supply and Sanitation Decade
Programme (1981-1991), adequate drinking water facilities have
to be provided to the entire population in both urban and rural
areas and sanitation facilities to 80 % of the urban population
and 25% of the rural population by the end of the decade. Domestic
and industrial water needs have largely been concentrated in
or near the principal cities, but the demand from rural society
is expected to increased sharply as the development programme
improve economic conditions in the rural areas. The demand for
water for hydro and thermal power generation and for other industrializes
is also likely to increase substantially As a result water which
is already a scarce resource will become even scarcer in future.
This underscores the need for the utmost efficiency in water
utilization and a public awareness of the importance of its
conservation.
1.7
Another important aspect is water quality. Improvements in existing
strategies and the innovation of new techniques resting on a
strong science and technology base will be needed to eliminate
the pollution of surface and ground water resources, to improve
water quality and to step up the recycling and re-use of water.
Science and technology and training have also important roles
to play in water resources development in general.
1.8 Water is one of the most crucial
elements in developmental planning. As the country prepares
itself to enter the 21st century, effect to develop, conserve,
utilise and manage this important resource have to be guided
by national perspectives. The need for a national water policy
is thus abundantly clear : water is a scarce and precious national
resource to be planned, developed and conserved as such, and
on an integrated and environmentally sound basis, keeping in
view the needs of the State concerned.
Top
2. Information System
The prime requisite for resources planning is a well-developed
information system. A standardised national information system
should be established with a network of data banks and data
bases, integrating and strengthening the existing Central and
State level agencies and improving the quality of data and the
processing capabilities. There should be free exchange of data
among the various agencies and duplication in data collection
should be avoided. Apart from the data regarding water availability
and actual water use, the system should also include comprehensive
and reasonably reliable projections and reasonably reliable
projections of future demands for water for diverse purpose.
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3. Maximising availability
3.1
The water resource available to the country should be brought
within the category of utilizable resources to the maximum possible
extent. The resources should be conserved and the availability
augmented by measures for maximizing retention and minimising
losses.
3.2 Resource
planning in the case of water has to be done for a hydrological
basin as whole, or for a sub-basin. All individual developmental
projects and proposals should be formulated by the States and
considered within the framework of such an overall plan for
a basin or sub-basin, so that the best possible combination
of potions can be made.
3.3
Appropriate organizations should be established for the planned
development and management of a river basin as a whole. Special
multi-disciplinary units should be set up in each state to prepare
comprehensive plans taking into account not only the needs or
irrigation but also harmonising various other water uses, so
that the available water resources are determined and put to
optimum use having regard to subsisting agreements or awards
of tribunals under the relevant laws.
3.4
Water should be made available to water short areas by transfers
from other areas including transfers from one river basin to
another, based on a national perspective, after taking into
account the requirements of the areas/basins.
3.5
Recycling and re-use of water should be an integral part of
water resource development.
Top
4. Project Planning
4.1
Water resource development projects should be far as possible
be planned and develop as multipurpose projects. Provision for
drinking water should be a primary consideration. The projects
should provide for irrigation, flood mitigation, hydro-electric
power generation, navigation, pisciculture and recreation wherever
possible.
4.2 The
study of the impact of a project during construction and later
on human lives, settlement, occupations, economic and other
aspects should be an essential component of project planning.
4.3 In the Planning
implementation and operation of projects, the preservation of
the quality of environment and the ecological balance should
be a primary consideration. The adverse impact, if any, on the
environment should be minimised and should be off-set by adequate
compensatory measures.
4.4
There should be an integrated and multi-disciplinary approach
to the planning, formulation, clearance and implementation of
projects, including Catchment treatment and management, environmental
and ecological aspects, the rehabilitation of effected people
and command area development.
4.5
Special efforts should be made to investigate and formulate
projects either in, or for the benefit f, area inhabited by
tribal or other specially disadvantaged groups such as Scheduled
Castes and Scheduled Tribes. In other areas also, project planning
should pay special attention to the needs of Scheduled Castes
and Scheduled Tribes and other weaker sections of society.
4.6 The planning of projects
in hilly area should take into account the need to provide assured
drinking water, possibilities of hydro power development and
the proper approach to irrigation in such area, in the context
of physical features and constraints such as steep slopes, rapid
run-off and the incidence of soil erosion. The economic evaluation
of projects in such areas should also take these factors into
account.
4.7 Time
and cost overruns and deficient realization of benefits characterising
most irrigation projects should be obviated by an optimal allocation
or resources, having regard to the early completion of on-going
projects as well as the need to reduce regional imbalances.
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5. Maintenance and modernisation
5.1
Structures and systems created through massive investments should
be properly maintained in good health. Appropriate annual provisions
should be made for this purpose in the budgets.
5.2 There should be a regular monitoring
of structures and systems and necessary rehabilitation and modernisation
programmes should be undertaken.
Top
6. Safety of structures
There should be proper organisational arrangements at the national
and state levels for ensuring the safety of storage dams and
other water-related structures. The central guidelines on the
subject should be kept under constant review and periodically
updated and reformulated. There should be a system of continuous
surveillance and regular visits by experts.
Top
7. Ground water development
7.1
There should be a periodical reassessment on a scientific basis
of the ground water potential, taking into consideration the
quality of the water available and economic viability.
7.2 Exploitation of ground
water resources should be so regulated as not to exceed the
recharging possibilities, as also to ensure social equity. Ground
water recharge projects should be developed and implemented
for augmenting the available supplies.
7.3
Integrated and coordinated development of surface water and
ground water and their conjunctive use, should be envisaged
right from the project planning stage and should form an essential
part of the project.
7.4
Over exploitation of ground water should be avoided near the
coast prevent ingress of sea water into sweet water aquifers.
Top
8. Water allocation Priorities
In the planning and operation of systems, water allocation priorities
should be broadly as follows :-
- Drinking water
- Irrigation
- Hydro-Power
- Navigation
- Industrial and other uses.
However, these priorities might be modified if necessary in
particular regions with reference to area specific considerations
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9. Drinking water
Adequate drinking water facilities should be provided to the
entire population both in urban and in rural areas by 1991.
Irrigation and multipurpose projects should invariably include
a drinking water component. Wherever there is no alternative
source of drinking water. Drinking water needs of human beings
and animals should be the first charge on any available water.
Top
10. Irrigation
10.1 Irrigation planning
either in an individual project or in a basin as a whole should
take into account the irrigability of land cost-effective irrigation
options possible from all available sources of water and appropriate
irrigation techniques. The irrigation intensity should be such
as to extend the benefits of irrigation to as large a number
of farm families as possible, keeping in view the need to maximize
production.
10.2
There should be a close integration of water use and land use
policies.
10.3 Water
allocation in an irrigation system should be done with due regard
to equity and social justice. Disparities in the availability
of water between head-reach and tail-end farms and between large
and small farms should be obviated by adoption of a rotational
water distribution system and supply of water on a volumetric
basis subject to certain ceilings.
10.4
Concerted efforts should be made to ensure that the irrigation
potential created is fully utilised and the gap between the
potential created and its utilization is removed. For this purpose,
the command area development approach should be adopted in all
irrigation projects.
Top
11. Water rates
Water rates should be such as to convey the scarcity value or
the resource to the users and to foster the motivation for economy
in water-use. They should be adequate to cover the annual maintenance
and operation charges and a part of the fixed costs. Efforts
should be made to reach this ideal over a period, while ensuring
the assured and timely supplies or irrigation water. The water
rates for surface water and ground water should be rationalised
with due regard to the interests of small and marginal farmers.
Top
12. Participation of farmers
and voluntary agencies
Efforts should be made to involve farmers progressively in various
aspects of management of irrigation systems, particularly in
water distribution and collection of water rates. Assistance
of voluntary agencies should be enlisted in educating the farmers
in efficient water use and water management
Top
13. Water Quality
Both surface water and ground water should be regularly monitored
for quality. A phased programme should be undertaken for improvements
in water quality
Top
14. Water zoning
Economic development and activities including agricultural,
industrial and urban development, should be planned with due
regard to the constraints imposed by the configuration of water
availability. There should be water zoning of the country and
the economic activities should be guided and regulated in accordance
with such zoning.
Top
15. Conservation of water
The efficiency of utilisation in all the diverse uses of water
should be improved and an awareness of water as a scarce resource
should be fostered. Conservation consciousness should be promoted
through education. Regulation, incentives and disincentives.
Top
16. Flood Control and Management
There should be a master plan for flood control and management
for each flood prone basin. Sound watershed management through
extensive soil conservation, catchment area treatment, preservation
of check-dams should be promoted to reduce the intensity of
floods Adequate flood-cushion should be provided in water storage
projects wherever feasible to facilitate better flood management
An extensive network for flood forecasting should be established
for timely warning to the settlements in the flood plains, along
with the regulation of settlements and economic activity in
the flood plain zones, to minimise the loss of life and property
on account of floods while physical flood protection works like
embankments and dykes will continue to be necessary the emphasis
should be on non-structural measures for the minimization of
losses, such as flood forecasting and warning and flood plain
zoning, so as to reduce the recurring expenditure on flood relief.
Top
17. Land erosion by sea or
river
The erosion of land, whether by the sea in coastal areas or
by river waters inland, should be minimised by suitable cost-effective
measures The States and Union territories should also undertake
all requisite steps to ensure that indiscriminate occupation
and exploitation of coastal strips of and are discouraged and
that the location of economic activities in area adjacent to
the sea is regulated
Top
18. Drought Management
18.1
Drought prone area should be made less vulnerable to drought
associated problems through soil moisture conservation measures,
water harvesting practices, the minimisation of evaporation
losses, the development of the ground water potential and the
transfer of surface water from surplus areas where feasible
and appropriate. Pastures, forestry, or other modes of development,
which are relatively less water demanding should be encouraged.
In planning water resource development projects, the needs of
drought-prone area should be given priority.
18.2
Relief works undertaken for providing employment to drought-stricken
populations should preferably be for drought proofing.
Top
19. Science and Technology
For effective and economical management of our water resources,
the frontiers of knowledge need to be pushed forward in several
directions by intensifying research efforts in various area,
including the following:-
- Hydrometerology
- Assessment of water resources;
- Snow and lake hydrology;
- Ground water hydrology and recharge;
- Prevention of salinity ingress;
- Water- harvesting;
- Evaporation and seepage losses;
- Economical designs for water resource projects;
- Crops and cropping systems;
- Sedimentation of reservoirs;
- The safety and longevity of water related structures;
- Rivermorphlogy and hydraulies;
- Soil and materials research;
- Better water management practices and improvements in
operational technology
- Recycling and re-use;
- Use of sea water resources;
Top
20. Training
A perspective plan for standardised training should be an integral
part of water resources development.. it should cover training
in information systems, sectoral planning, projects planning
and formulation, project management , operation of projects
and their physical structures and systems and the management
of the water distribution systems. The training should extend
to all the categories of personnel involved in these activities
as also the farmers.
Top
21. Conclusion
In view of the vital importance of water for human and animal
life, for maintaining ecological balance and for economic and
development activities of all kinds, and considering its increasing
scarcity, the planning and management of this resource and its
optimal, economical and equitable use has become a matter of
the utmost urgency The success of the national water policy
will depend entirely on the development and maintenance of a
national consensus and commitments to its underlying principles
and objectives.
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