Water Crisis & Solutions - RACE presentation

“Water Crisis and Solutions”

A joint debate-event organized by RACE & SMART

11 June 2011, Suri, Birbhum

Outline of discussion

• Water Cycle

• Water Problems – Scarcity & Pollution

• Mismanagement of water

• Water Management Principles

• Rainwater Harvesting

• Solutions

Water Cycle

What is the

problem with

water?

Water Problems

Every item that we use needs

water for production

CAUSES FOR WATER STRESS

Water evaporation from reservoirs of large hydro power projects

Domestic

Extensive farming. High usage of water

Industry

Increase in Population

Water stress!!!!

Power

Agriculture People require food to eat

Increased demand for goods

bathing, flushing, washing, cooking, drinking…

• Stores of freshwater (Surface water, Ground water)

are diminishing

• Population is increasing

• Per capita water use is also increasing

• Irrigation systems failing (no rain, no agriculture!)

• Climate Change causing problems with availability

(less rainfall or more violet rainfall) and distribution of

fresh water

• Water Pollution making water unusable

• Eutrophication (caused by untreated sewage /

fertilizer run offs)

A picture from Bihar drought 2009

A picture from Tamluk, Midnapore

Run off from agricultural

fields

Untreated municipal sewage

Air pollutants Dissolve in rainwater

It’s not just increased consumption…

For more details refer to the presentation on ‘Water pollution’.

Increasing pollution of freshwater sources ( surface and groundwater )

Untreated industrial wastes

Eutrophic Pond

Fish dies due to water pollution

Water can get polluted naturally

When water seeps into the ground, it absorbs different substances depending on the type of soil and rock that it flows through.

Water can get polluted naturally

Some of these substances (arsenic, iron, fluoride etc) can be harmful to health

Arsenic

Fluoride

Natural pollution can introduce chemicals that collect in our bodies. Over time this can cause chronic problems and even life –

threatening diseases.

In groundwater

In groundwater

Problems in Water

Management

• In India, ‘State’ is the sole provider of water.

• Water is not given any economic value – considered free.

• Community & Households are no longer primary agents

of water provision and management.

• There is still enough water but facility to ‘trap & store’ are

failing badly.

• Large dams causing environmental havoc.

• Expensive maintenance to prevent siltation in reservoirs

are not working in India

• Diversion of water / river linkages are considered as

solution while they are not.

Temples of modern India?

Evaporation,Green House Gas emission

Displacement of local tribes

Destruction of historical and archaeological sites

Loss of natural biodiversity

Loss of Livelihood

Temples of modern India?

Cropping patterns changed to more water intensive crops – affects soil quality

• Inter-state water disputes Maharastra vs. Karnataka and AP Karnataka vs. TN

• Between farmers and urban areas Sabarmati basin Cauvery basin

Water disputes

Other social and ecological impacts:

But are water disputes caused by a mismatch in demand and supply? Do dams actually ease disputes by providing water during lean periods? Debate this out in class.

Water

Management

Principles

1. Fresh water is a finite and vulnerable resource, essential to

sustain life, development and the environment.

2. Water development and management should be based on a

participatory approach, involving users, planners and policy-

makers at all levels

3. Women play a central part in the provision, management and

safeguarding of water.

4. Water has an economic value in all its competing uses and

should be recognized as an economic good.

The Dublin Principles (1992)

• Dublin Principles is the only UN statement which

emphasizes on ‘economic value’ of water rather than

as ‘universal right’. This is highly contested by NGOs

and human rights activists.

• However different international conventions recognize

‘right to water’ as human right.

The Right to Water

• Intergovernmental treaty that embodies commitments of

member countries to maintain the ecological character of their

Wetlands of International Importance and to plan for the "wise

use", or sustainable use.

• India has 25 Ramsar sites – the one in West Bengal is ‘East

Calcutta Wetlands’ with size of 125 sq.km.

• The nation with the highest number of sites is the United

Kingdom at 168.

The Ramsar Convention (1971)

Rainwater

Harvesting

The concept is simple

Collect

Store and use

Recharge

Not new to India

Rainwater storage reservoir at Dholavira (Rann of Kutch) – Harappan civilization (2500-1900 BC)

Khadins of Jaisalmer(harvesting structures for agricultural fields)

Designed by the Paliwal Brahmins of Jaisalmer, in 15th century Similar system also practised in Ur (Iraq), the Negev desert, and in south west Colorado An embankment prevents water from flowing away. Collected water seeps into the soil. This water saturates land, which is then used for growing crops

Johads of Rajasthan(provide water for domestic use) Earthen or masonry rainwater harvesting structure,

for providing water for domestic use to the communities.

RACE went to a forest survey in Baidyanathpur – Matir Bandh

In a forest nearby Baidyanathpur – Gully Bandh?

Solutions

• Awareness and sensitization.

• Stop wastage.

• Assign economic value where feasible.

• Popularize rainwater harvesting.

• Create community scale dams, water storages.

• Reduce ‘global warming’.

• Discuss and participate.

Thank you!!