SR S Madni
Two essential and free gifts of Nature, air and water, sustain life. All civilizations have emerged from the river banks for the water needed for drinking and agriculture. In return the man is doing everything to contaminate and encroach upon the water bodies and also the air by indiscriminate use of hydrocarbons. The underdeveloped and developing countries are the victims of the greenhouse gases produced by the developed countries resulting in the global warming and depletion of the water resources that are in the form of glaciers.

Today is World Water Day

Whereas the quantum of water is static, its availability is governed by population which is geometrically increasing especially in some African and Asian countries. Against the yearly global surface water availability of 7000 CMs (cubic meters) per capita, India has only 2000 CMs which is estimated to get further reduced to 1500 by 2050 when the population is expected to be 150 crores. India has 16 to 17% of world population with just 4% of water resources. Therefore, not only the growth in population has to be controlled but also precious water preserved for the posterity by its optimal and judicious usage.
The distribution of surface water in India is erratic. We can experience simultaneous flood and drought. Huge areas especially in the states of Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Orrisa, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Uttar Pradesh are rain-fed and whenever there is a crop failure due to insufficient rains, there are suicides by the farmers being unable to repay the farm loans. The idea of North-South water corridor conceived in the 60’s which would remove the dependence on rains has not been pursued by the GoI and may take decades to materialize. Water disputes between the states are on the increase and even the Government of India has not been able to settle these disputes. These disputes may lead to water wars in near future, if the problem is not addressed seriously now at all levels. Indus Water Treaty (IWT) brokered by the World Bank and signed between India and Pakistan in 1960 has become an irritant between the two countries and the World Bank has to intervene every now and then to sort out the differences. The treaty has immensely benefitted the states of Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan and Delhi in power, agriculture, drinking water and industry sectors. The J&K State is the only loser as it cannot fully utilse the water resources of its three rivers-Chenab, Jhelum and Indus due to restrictions imposed in the treaty.
In absence of adequate surface water availability, the precious treasure lying underground in the form of ground water has to be relied upon for all the three main uses, drinking, agriculture and industry. Due to overdrawal of the ground water and faulty water management we are faced with its depletion and contamination due to piles of solid waste, industrial effluents, indiscriminate use of fertilizers and pesticides. The case in point is Achan area of Srinagar district where the ground water has been declared unfit for human consumption because of heaps of solid waste dumps. The natural recharge has been badly disturbed by us in the catchment areas by the indiscriminate exploitation of forests, thus reducing the absorption capacity and hence the ground water recharge. The natural water bodies and the ponds constructed by our wise ancestors have almost vanished. The wet lands which act as flood basins, bird sanctuaries and water bodies are being converted into housing colonies. The case in point is Rakhi Aarath. Narkara and Batamalu nambals. The water bodies provide us a friendly environment besides acting as flood absorption basins.
The maximum use of ground water is in agriculture where there is no scope of recycling. The agriculture scientists have to address this issue and devise such crops which not only have reduced gestation period but also reduced water requirement. Presently the farmer is interested in paddy and sugar cane for better returns. These crops need six times more water than wheat, maize and millets. The farmer if assured of equal returns in alternative crops, he will be too happy to adopt the same. The Government has to play a role here by including food grains from such crops in the public distribution system. In the case of drinking and industrial use, recycling and recharging has to be made mandatory. Rain water harvesting from all types of large buildings and its utilization especially for replenishing the ground water has to be implemented. Water has to be treated as an economic source and effort made for more income per drop of water.
Public awareness that the water is precious and if not preserved and taken care of will endanger the life is equally important. This role can be played by print and electronic media, social scientists, clergy, teachers and panchayats. Voluntary participation of stake holders for integrated approach in water conservation for improving water security system and increasing agriculture production has to be ensured. The Panchayats which have now been empowered can play a vital role in the management and preservation of water resources.
(The author is formerly Secretary to J&K Govt)

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