CONTENTS
INTERLINKING OF INDIAN RIVERS
NEEDS OF INTERLINKING
HIMALAYAN DEVELOPMENT
PENINSULAR DEVELOPMENT
BROAD OBJECTIVES
AGRICULTURE
POWER
FLOOD CONTROL
LAND NAVIGATION
POLITICAL CONSENSUS
INTER & INTRA BASIN WATER TRANSFER
PROJECTS
CONFLICT MANAGEMENT
CRITICISM
CONCLUSION
RAINWATER HARVESTING
RWH TECHIQUES
INTERLINKING OF INDIAN RIVERS: Interlinking of Indian rivers is a large-scale in civil engineering project that aims to join the majority of India's rivers by canals and so reduce persistent water shortages in parts of India. India accounts for 2.4% of the world’s surface area but supports 16.7% of the world’s population. Further, our country possesses meager 4% of world’s water resources, that too highly uncertain in time and space due to its monsoonic climate. Still, India possesses highly dismal per capita storage capacity compared to even those countries; where rainfall is more or less evenly distributed in time and space. While per capita storage capacity in North America, Russia, Australia, China are respectively 6150, 6013,4729 and 2486 cubic meters, the same in India is only 262 cubic meters.
NEED FOR INTERLINKING: National Commission for Integrated Water Resources Development 1999 reported that per capita availability of waters varies widely from around 300 m.cu per person per year in basins like Sabarmati to very large quantities in the Brahmaputra, with a National average of about 2,000 m.cu per person per year. Precipitation is the main source of water availability in India, which has a very highly uneven distribution, with an annual rain fall of more than 10m in parts of Meghalaya to less than half a meter in semi-arid parts of Rajasthan and Gujarat. In arid regions, it could be less than 10 cm. Much of the water is received in a few months of the monsoon, and that lato within around 100 hours of the rainy days. As per International standard the limit of 1,700 KL of water per person per year is considered satisfactory; if it falls below 1,000 KL, it creates conditions of stress. Indian requirement of agriculture for producing food alone is 700 KL. Other requirements like that of domestic use, industries, ecological requirement, hydro power etc. requires further above 1,000 KL. Most of the basins in India have availability below 1000 KL. Per capita water availability in Brahmaputra basin is around 10,000 KL and in Narmada, & Mahanadi above 2, 000 KL.
HIMALAYAN DEVELOPMENT: The northern component would consist of a series of dams built along the Ganga and Brahmaputra rivers in India, Nepal and Bhutan for the purposes of storage. Canals would be built to transfer surplus water from the eastern tributaries of the Ganga to the west. The Brahmaputra and its tributaries would be linked with the Ganga and the Ganga with the Mahanadi River. This part of the project would provide additional irrigation for about 220,000 square kilometers and generate about 30 gigawatts of electricity. In theory it would provide e extra flood control in the Ganga and Brahmaputra river basins. It could also provide excess water for the controversial Farakka Barrage which could be used to flush out the silt at the port of Kolkata.
PENINSULAR DEVELOPMENT: The main part of the project would send water from the eastern part of India to the south and west. The southern development project would consist of four main parts. First, the Mahanadi, Godavari, Krishna and Kaveri rivers would all be linked by canals. Extra water storage dams would be built along the course of these rivers. The purpose of this would be to transfer surplus water from the Mahanadi and Godavari rivers to the south of India. Second, those rivers that flow west to the north of Mumbai and the south of Tapi would be linked. Due to the irregular fluctuations in water levels in the region, as much storage capacity would be built as possible. The water would be used by the urban areas of Bombay and also to provide irrigation in the coastal areas of Maharashtra. Third the Ken and Chambal rivers would be linked in order to provide better water facilities for Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh. Finally a number of westflowing rivers along the Western Ghats simply discharge into the Arabian Sea. As many of these as possible would be diverted for irrigation purposes. The Peninsular part of the project would provide additional irrigation to 130,000 square kilometers and generation an additional 4 gigawatts of power.
Broad objectives for ILR/ IBTW projects are envisaged as:
Equitable distribution of the available water resources within a nation or a region
Increased economic efficiency
Self- sufficiency in water related outputs such as food, hydro-energy and industrial production
Providing large scale livelihood and employment opportunities in situ to minimize migration of rural population to urbanized areas.
Seasonal or permanent, short distance or long distance, are very common, which can be avoided through balanced regional economic development by ILR projects.
Union Ministry of Water Resources (MoWR), had recognized need of interlinking of
rivers (ILR) and prepared a National Perspective Plan (NPP) in 1980 after studying all major basins of the country. National Water Development (NWDA) Agency was set up in 1982, to work on preparation of feasibility reports. Thus, about 30 years have passed, since need for Inter-basin transfer of water was recognized. Food requirement by 2050 is estimated as 450 Million tons. If prompt actions are not taken, the country may have to face serious food-crisis and may have to start importing food-grains. Similarly if hydro power is not developed very fast, it would result not only in acute shortage of power particularly in peak hours and the country will have to go for more expensive and with ecologically more adverse impacts of thermal & nuclear projects, which will make Indian products highly less competitive in international market. In order to be self- sufficient in food, increased irrigation through long distance water transfers may be required. Countries like Japan, England, Saudi Arabia etc. depend on imports to meet a large part of their food requirements. A nation of the size of India cannot afford to be not self-sufficient in food requirements. World trade in food-grains is not large enough to meet the needs of a large country like India. Infrastructural bottlenecks like port facility, shipping, roads, railways etc. are other constraints on increasing trade in food grains. Thus food self-sufficiency is an explicit objective of ILR.
When we think about the connecting of rivers we must have to think about good and bad effects of that linkage towards the people, on my view Agriculture, Famine mitigation, Land Navigation, Political Consensus, Environmental Impact, Rehabilitation of the People are most important factors to deciding river linkages.
Agriculture: The projected benefit in terms of agriculture include 25 million hectares of irrigation from surface water, 10 million hectares by increased use of ground water, totaling to 35million hectares which will be over and above the ultimate irrigation potential of 140 million hectares. India has one of the lowest yield of cereals at 2134kg/hectare of land. Hence expanding the irrigated land area is only one way of increasing food production. Another way may be changes in farming technology, the kind of crops grown (generally hybrid varieties use more water than the indigenous varieties), better management of available land and water. Indiscriminate irrigation over a period of time can also lead to problems like water logging and rise in salinity in soil. Hence, besides increasing the area under irrigation, implementation of mixed agriculture and other such techniques of sustainable agriculture need to be emphasized on.
Power: It is estimated that net 34,000 MW of hydro-power will be generated as a result of this project. But this figure is a little hard to believe because in most cases of inter basin transfer, it is understood that the requirement for pumping water across basins exceeds that produced by tapping the potential energy of the water. The pumping energy requirement is exceptionally high in this case as water will be pumped across the entire length and breadth of the country.
Flood Control and Famine Mitigation: While flood control is one of the major motivations behind this idea, it is now generally acknowledged that big dams play only a modest role in flood moderation. Flood cushion tends to get eaten into by the more powerful demands of irrigation and power generation. The safety of structures sometimes necessitates the release of waters causing ‘man-made’ floods downstream. Reliance needs to shift from structural to non structural measures for the purpose of flood control. Floods in moderation have certain benefits too. They are a free source of minerals for the land, help in recharging groundwater resources, help in conservation of biological diversity, give bumper harvests, flush out silt from riverbeds to deltas, prevent intrusion of saline water from the Sea and most importantly wash out saline deposits on the top soil. So what has been termed as ‘surplus’ is not really surplus. It is performing salient functions which are extremely important
for the preservation of ecological balance and ishelpful for the farmers. The project aims at mitigating drought by transferring water from ‘surplus’ to ‘deficit’ areas. The problem of drought is something that we have a solution to already in the form of rainwater harvesting structures. Rajendra Singh has shown in Alwar district, Anna Hazare in Ralegan Siddhi that this problem can be solved on a local level without bringing in water from external sources. The success stories are numerous and so are the solutions implemented. Also, even if the Linking of rivers project is implemented, it will take water to only a fraction of the drought prone areas, large parts of rain fed areas will remain unaffected.
Land Navigation: It has been proposed that some of the canals will be opened for inland navigation. It will not only connect the North with the South but will also lead to multiple economic benefits and substantial saving in terms of imported fossil fuel. The cost of this set up will amount to about 24 billion used.
Cost: The national water development agency has estimated a budget of 112 billion used at 2002 prices for the entire project. However, it is estimated and accepted widely that the cost may go up to 200 billion used. Other sources cite that large projects have had cost overruns in the region of 400-500%. Apart from estimated cost, recurring expenditure would be incurred in maintenance of dams, de silting reservoirs, relining canals and creating artificial drainage where needed. External costs like those arising from harm done to the environment, ecology, wildlife and social costs have not been taken into account. The estimated cost itself represents 20% of India’s Gross Domestic Product, 2.5 times the annual tax collection, 2 times the foreign
exchange reserves and equals the amount spent on irrigation in the last 44 years. According to the Government’s Economic Survey for 2001-02, this amount is higher than the Gross domestic savings, and also the total outstanding external debt of the country. The total pending cost for incomplete major, medium and minor irrigation projects sum up to 30 billion used. The above
numbers imply that the cost of the project is huge and the burden arising from it will have to be borne by the government and the people for a very long time. Starting a project of this
magnitude, when there are so many incomplete projects trying to solve the same purpose are pending, seems impractical.
Political Consensus: This project will involve coordination between not just States but also countries. Dams will need to be built in Nepal and Bhutan, in order to store the surplus water and later divert it to deficit regions. Water that flows into Bangladesh will now be diverted from upstream by India. Both Nepal and Bangladesh have not been taken into confidence regarding the project as of now. This has the potential of future conflict with these countries. This could also lead to a conflict between India and China in the future as China controls the flow of water in the Brahmaputra, Indus and Sutlej Rivers. China is considering a proposal to build a dam on Yarlung Tsangpo (which becomes Brahmaputra in India) which will generate 40000 megawatts of energy (more than twice generated by the Three Gorges dam). If this project goes through, the entire equation of ‘surplus’ and ‘deficit’ in India will change. This project and other similar grand pro jects being planned by China have the capacity to completely throw India’s plans off the mark. Within India,
a number of inter state conflicts over water, remain unresolved for decades now (for example the Cauvery Tribunal). The Interlinking project, which runs canal from almost every state of India, could become a major source of contention between the Sates rather than uniting them.
Inter-Basin & Intra-basin Water Transfers Projects (ILR): When there are no serious inter-state problems involved and where the water divides between basins do not constitute insurmountable ridges, inter-basin transfers are planned and executed in a routine manner. To give a few examples, both the Krishna and Godavari delta irrigation systems cover and irrigate the small basins in between, the Nagarjunasagar Right Bank Canal irrigates areas beyond the Krishna basin. The Krishna Cuddapah canal in Andhra Pradesh transfers the waters of Krishna to the Penna basin, the Mahi Right Bank Canal irrigates large areas in the Sabarmati basin. Rajasthan Canal Project diverted waters from the Himalayas to the deserts of Rajasthan. Project comprises of a huge multi purpose project constructed across the Beas river at Pong, a barrage at Harike and a grand canal system. Other important IBTW schemes in the country are the Parambikulam- Aliyar Project, Telugu Ganga, Sardar Sarovar etc. Sardar Sarovar canal transfer the Narmada water to various basins of Gujarat and also into Rajasthan, which is a non-co-basin state. Waters of the Indus basin (Bhakra) are transferred to the Yamuna basin and in particular to
the Delhi urban area through the inter-connected canals of Bhakra and Yamuna. Significant part of NCR municipal water requirement is met from Ramganga project, on a tributary of Ganges river.
Conflict management- Participation of media & NGOs: Environment is either Science or Engineering. Novelist(s), celebrities, self-acclaimed ecological experts and social activists need to be restrained from creating fantasies blocking projects of such national importance. Without ensuring adequate qualitative water and power availability, India is bound to become a dooming civilization rather than becoming an economic superpower. Availability of water is bound to improve sanitation, safe hygienic practices and better health standards. Accelerated water storage development, water conservation through reuse, wastewater recycling, aquifer recharging and rainwater harvesting as well as positive partnership of community are important aspects for sustainable infrastructure development. Media plays most important role in shaping the thoughts of the people. It is essential that electronic and print media should set its focus right to set the agenda and making the society conscious through balanced scientific public awareness. Inter-linking of rivers (IBTW) is highly essential. We should soon overcome all the obstacles in this national task. Professional societies and voluntary organisations can play very vital role in water resources management with due care of environmental management. Modalities of involvement and limitations of NGOs, educational, professional and voluntary organisations must be worked out to streamline their participation in ILR projects & water resources management.
Criticism: Critics of the Inter-link scheme have alleged that the environmental impact of these projects would be extreme. They point out that little water is genuinely "surplus" or wasted merely because it runs into the sea. Diverting water from so many rivers would have a serious impact on the mangroves of the coastal regions and hence on fish stocks, that extra irrigation will cause salt levels to rise and that the project will take precious, and disputed, water from Bangladesh causing India international problems. Critics also point to the enormous costs
conservatively estimated at some $115bn USD which India can ill afford. It has also been suggested that the program is a vast vote-buying exercise on the part of sections of the Indian political establishment.
Conclusion: There is need for a regional treaty that forces each country to honour its ecological obligations towards the great oceans. The combined population of the region is about 600 million. If India thinks that it can exploit its upper riparian position and its size, China, which has reportedly drawn its own plans to divert rivers originating in Tibet -- including Brahmaputra, may follow suit. While India plans to complete the project by the year 2013, China plans to do so by 2009. An estimated 90 per cent of the Tibetan rivers flow downstream to India, Bangladesh, Nepal and Bhutan. Both India and Bangladesh are at the mercy of China which could for its own interest withhold water for irrigation and power during dry season and release water during the flood season. Bangladesh experts brought the issue to the attention of Indian journalists. All the rivers flow into the Bay of Bengal. The Convention shall enter into force following ratification of 35th Instrument. So far the Convention has attracted perhaps no more than 16 signatures and 11 ratifications. 103 nations including Bangladesh had voted in favour. Surprisingly India and Pakistan were on the same side and were amongst 27 nations that had abstained from voting. Times have changed; the demand for water is growing. Dams and megaprojects are known to disrupt the existing pattern of water use. Where people depend on fish, flood plains or deltas for their livelihood, big dams can wreak great havoc. Watershed eco-systems suffer and fragmentation of aquatic and terrestrial eco systems cause growing threat to the ecological integrity is one of the many factors impacting on the change in climate. Today most of the countries are focusing their attention on management of existing water resources including the dams. The effort involves rehabilitation, renovation and optimisation. Demand side management and improvement of efficiency of the existing supply are receiving greater attention. There are bound to be difficulties for the countries of the region along the way. However, inaction is not an option. If the waters in the basin are sufficient to justify an equitable and just sharing of waters and the social, economic, political and environmental impact of such structural intervention on common river systems is manageable, then the project cannot be dismissed as being unfeasible. The growing population of all the countries of the region, which they have failed to control, imposes an obligation on their leaders to do something substantial to avert the looming disaster of famine and poverty. Forming a common front against India as being the largest country in the region will be a self-defeating strategy. After all Pakistan did the unthinkable of bartering away
three of its six rivers for the sake of peace and amity in the largest part of the subcontinent. Considering the pragmatic view of all the issues raised it can be concluded that implementation of this ambitious scheme is not possible in foreseeable future. Hence it can be a better option to concentrate on the local resources and think upon the alternatives available.
RAIN WATER HARVESTING RAIN WATER HARVESTING is the accumulating and storing of rainwater for reuse
before it reaches the aquifer. It has been used to provide drinking water, water for livestock, water for irrigation, as well as other typical uses. Rainwater collected from the roofs of houses and local institutions can make an important contribution to the availability of drinking water. The total amount of water on earth remains constant. The rapid growth in population together with the extension of irrigated agriculture and industrial development, are putting stress on the natural ecosystems. In the face of growing problems, society has begun to realize that it can no longer subscribe to a use and discard philosophy with any natural resource. Rain water Harvesting (RWH) is the process of collecting and using rainwater from wherever it is available. An old technology is gaining popularity in a new way. RWH is enjoying a renaissance of sorts in the world. Extensive RWH apparatus had existed 4000 years ago in Greece, Palestine, Rome and ancient India. Artificial recharge of ground water is a process by which the ground water reservoir is augmented faster than by natural replenishments. Any man made scheme or facility that adds water to an aquifer is considered to be an artificial recharge system.
NEEDS: • Surface water is inadequate to meet our demand and we have to depend on ground water. • Due to rapid urbanization, infiltration of rain water into the sub-soil has decreased drastically and recharging of ground water has diminished. • Over -exploitation of ground water resource has resulted i n decline in water levels in most parts of the country. • To enhance availability of ground water at specific place and time. • To arrest sea water ingress. • To improve the water quality in aquifers. • To improve the vegetation cover.
• To raise the water levels in wells and bore wells that is drying up. • To reduce power consumption.
RWH Techniques There are two main techniques of RWH a) Storage of rain water on surface for future use b) Recharge of ground water The storage of rainwater on surface is a traditional technique and structure used in underground tanks, ponds, check dams, weirs etc.
Recharge of ground water is a new concept of RWH and the structures generally used are: 1. Pits Recharge: Pits are constructed for recharging the shallow aquifers. 2. Trenches: These are constructed when the preamble strata is available at shallow depths. 3. Dug wells: Existing dug wells may well be utilized as recharge structure and water should pass through filter media before putting into dug well. 4. Hand Pumps: The existing hand pumps may be used for recharging the shallow / deep aquifers, if the availability of water is limited. Water should pass through filter media before diverting it into hand pumps. 5. Recharge Shafts: With bore wells for recharging the upper as well as deeper aquifers, lateral shafts of 1.5 to 2m wide and 10 to 20m long depending upon availability of water with one or two bore wells is constructed. The lateral shafts are back filled with boulders, gravels and coarse sand. 6. Spreading Techniques: When permeable strata start from top then this technique is used. Spread water in streams by making check dams, cement plugs or a percolation pond may be constructed.
BENEFITS OF RWH: 1. An ideal solution to water problems in areas having inadequate water resources. 2. The ground water level will rise.
3. Mitigates the effects of drought and achieves dro ught proofing. 4. Reduces the runoff which chokes the storm water drains. 5. Flooding of roads is reduced. 6. Quality of water improves. 7. Soil erosion will be reduced. 8. Saving of energy per well for lifting of ground water. 9. Prevention of sea water ingress.
MAINTENANCE OF RWH:
Before collecting the rain water, the roof, gutters and tank should be cleaned.
Let the first 2-3 rains flow out through the first flush system.
Remember to clean the tank once in a year.
Replace the filtering agents every year.
Keep the tank and surroundings clean and hygienic.
Apply white cement on the tank every year
Remember to preserve water and use it judiciously.
