DON’T BLAME GOD, PLAN now

Over 54 crores farmers in 13 States are in the grip of drought facing relentless multi-dimensional water crisis. In fact, drought has not spared any State resulting in crop failure, distress migrations, closure of small industries, extended vacation for educational institutions, shifting of venues or schedules of popular events and celebrations etc.

Tragically, farmers’ suicides have become common occurrences wherein the acute water scarcity is competing for space with political news in newspapers and television.

Notably, drought is no longer a problem exclusively of the poor notwithstanding they spend about 15 per cent of their income on water in some areas but the rich too are affected in many ways and use their money power to grab available water. Consequently, famine is putting obstacles in the way of reaching the Millennium Development Goals (2010-15).

Water shortage does not distinguish between rural and urban areas. Incredibly, areas that suffered the wrath of floods a few months back are face to face with water scarcity today, counting the number of days water is sufficient in the reservoirs even as they pray for rains!

Where has the water gone? Indeed, a legitimate question in flood-hit areas. Why can’t we manage available water resources better? An important query raised to our deaf and mute authorities everywhere.

Last month, Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Odisha, Rajasthan, Telangana, and Uttar Pradesh were declared drought-affected with over 300 million people and half of the country’s districts affected by it. Worse, the World Bank’s prediction of a “turbulent future” vis-à-vis the inevitable water crisis seems to be coming true earlier than expected.

Questionably, to put the entire blame on failure of rains as the cause for water shortage is incorrect against the backdrop that human failure is equally responsible. Thanks to lack of foresight and water planning, deficiency in water management, criminal neglect of duties and responsibilities on the part of all concerned which have combined to aggravate the situation resulting in this unprecedented crisis in terms of extent and severity.

Significantly, water management is today an independent area of study under Environment administration of as it is crucial for development of water bodies, their protection from pollution and over-exploitation as also for fair distribution and prevention of disputes.

It requires integration of several disciplines: water and civil engineering to augment supply and storage, chemical, bio-physical and hydrological knowledge to take care of quality along-with politics, economics, social work and law to address sharing and distribution.

Undoubtedly, administrative ability is indispensable for every task in building infrastructure, institutional and service management alongside policy-making as bureaucratic failure might nullify benefits acquired from knowledge and experience. Specialization includes management of resources, quality, services, and conflicts.

Besides, water management has two important parts --- supervision of supply and demand. Pertinently, availability, quality and management are the three key water issues. Especially as it is universally acknowledged that water is a basic need and therefore a basic right for all.

According to a water expert the crisis is not one of short supply but of mismanagement in India and globally a crisis of rapacity which requires a sound water management system combined with national planning and local action.

True, the National Water Mission is one of the eight missions in the National Action Plan on Climate Change launched by Prime Ministers to tackle global warming in December 2013. The Mission’s objective is to conserve water, minimize wastage and ensure more equitable distribution across and within States through integrated water resources development and management.

Towards that end, the Mission identified five goals comprising collection of a comprehensive water data base in the public domain and assessment of the impact of climate change; promotion of citizen-State action for conservation, augmentation and preservation of water; focused attention on vulnerable areas including over-exploited areas; increase of water use efficiency by 20 per cent; and promotion of basin level integrated water resources management. Last, the very substance of water management.

However, missions, goals and targets remain disconnected with reality. What we perceive is a literal scramble for water along-with increasing disparities vis-à-vis access to water. Think. Water management requires full public cooperation devoid of any in-fighting. Even we are conditioned to think of water disputes as inter-States and international problem, conveniently forgetting that disputes start near community wells and taps among neighbours.

Interestingly, we need to take a leaf from the US where a non-profit professional association, American Water Resources Association (AWRA) was founded in 1964 to tackle the problem and is dedicated to improvements in water resources management, research and education. Its members include professionals from diverse fields. Similar associations to work with proper recognition and support are the need of the hour.

Additionally, the idea of trading in water and treating it as a commodity appeals to some people. The World Bank also is in flavour of leaving water to market forces wherein water business has already become popular in many parts of the world. Namely, US, Chile, South Africa and Australia et al. In fact, the Australian system is considered to be most efficient.

This has spread to India too, but is alas, accompanied with omnipresent trade malpractices --- supply of polluted water and diversion of free water for commercial purposes in many places. Leading to closure of several water plants and sales outlets.

It some places farmers have discontinued their agricultural occupation and engage in water trade as a more profitable venture to meet the needs of water-starved cities, thereby making a mockery of agriculture and its accompanying subsidies.

Clearly, with water management being a problem in every country, we need to learn from abroad. Singapore is very efficient in water management despite having few resources of its own.

It imports water to meet most of its requirements and is able to achieve round-the-clock availability of quality water by scrupulously following three principles: It captures every drop of rain; traps every drop of used water and recycle every drop more than once. In some South-East Asian countries, their Constitutions provide for public participation in water management.

Sadly, such integrated water management is missing in India. Since water is nature’s endowment, we are unable to realize its value despite its limited supply. Under Indian law, ownership of land gives ownership of groundwater in that land.

In sum, planning and executing infrastructure needs to be in the hands of the Government. However, public participation too has a crucial role to play. There are already several thousands of users’ associations which could be involved in more constructive and planned work.

Traditional practices of water management which are prevalent, effective and costless in many States should be revived. Above all, we must shed our habit of attributing human failure to divine will, instead seriously take up water management. ----- INFA

By:Dr S Saraswathi
Writer is former Director, ICSSR, New Delhi