3.1 SURFACE WATER RESOURCES W - Information...

Water Scenario of Rajasthan 105

3.1 SURFACE WATER RESOURCES

Water can be considered as one of the most vital for human existence out

of all the Natural resources. Higher level of crop production can be achieved through

adequate facilities as assured irrigation, imparts confidence to the farmers to adopt

improved agricultural practices. Water enhances the effectiveness of all other

agricultural inputs like fertilizers, improved seeds, etc. The surface water potential

of the state from internal sources comprising 14 Rainfed river basins is estimated at

15.86 million acre feet which is only 1.16 % of the country’s potential.

The only source of annually renewable water supply in the state is precipitation

as most of the rivers are seasonal. The quantity of water flowing in the rivers in the

state totally depends on the quantum of precipitation in the rainy season. This limits

the surface water availability in the state.

The construction of water reservoirs like dams, tanks and ponds becomes a

necessity due to the distinct variability and seasonality of rainfall to store some part

of rainfall water to meet irrigation and drinking water requirement throughout the

year. Besides this, the state gets some water for its use from the inter-state river

basins as a part of Inter-State agreements. Table – 4 depicts the Status of available

surface water and storage created in Rajasthan in the year 2010.


Table - 4: Status of available surface water and storage created in Rajasthan

(2010)

River Basin Available Yield

(in MCM)

Storage created

(in MCM)

Shekhawati 104.7 89.72

Ruparail 179.5 101.64

Banganga 449.2 412.26

Gambhir 353.3 231.56

Parvati 138.1 157.28

Sabi 168.3 107.65

Banas 4039.3 3639.76

Chambal 5203 2906.77

Mahi 3149 2726.59

Sabarmati 799.9 200.09

Luni 451.8 1136.66

West Banas 406.1 79

Sukli 111.7 44.29

Other Nallah of Jalore 31.6 0

Outside Basin 468 9

Source: Irrigation Department, Government of Rajasthan, Jaipur.

Rivers of Rajasthan

Except for Chambal all the other rivers of the state flow only during the rainy

season. Topography and precipitation influence the formation of river catchment

areas are mostly small. The low hills and plateaus and flat, rugged and rolling lands

which are the origin of streams, which form rivers, are highly dissected and rolling.

There are no deep channels to add stream density, so, the catchments are of low

stream density.


Right from the south-west to the north-east direction, the Aravalli ranges

largely influence the drainage system of the State. In the state the drainage streams

either culminate in the Thar Desert or some streams culminate in the Arabian Sea or

in the Bay of Bengal (see Map – 16).

River Chambal: From Vindhyan ranges near Mhow in Indore District of Madhya

Pradesh; Chambal is the only perennial river in Rajasthan. It flows for some 320 km

northerly direction in general before entering into a deep gorge in Rajasthan at

Chourasigarh, around 96 km upstream of Kota. It flows for about 226 km in

Rajasthan in a north-easterly direction. The Chambal and its tributary Banas, rises in

the Aravalli Range, drains south-eastern region of Rajasthan.

At the border of Bhind and Etawah districts, Chambal end a confluence of 5

rivers, including Kwari, Yamuna, Sind, Pahuj, at Pachnada near Bhareh in Uttar

Pradesh state. Major part of drainage discharge of Chambal is collected from Jaipur,

Dausa, Sawai Madhopur, Ajmer, Tonk, Bhilwara, Bundi, Kota, Baran, Jhalawar,

Chittorgarh, Udaipur and Rajsamand districts. Its main tributaries are Banas, Kali

Sindh and Parvati. Chambal waters are utilized for hydropower generation at the

Kota Barrage.

River Banas: River Banas is a tributary of Chambal which flows into the Yamuna.

Originating in the Khamnor hills of the Aravalli Ranges, it flows north-east through

the Mewar region of Rajasthan. It meets the Chambal River near the village of

Rameswar in Sawai Madhopur. Cities of Tonk, Nathdwara and Jahanpur lie on the

banks of Banas. Major tributaries of Banas include the Berach and Minali on the

right and Kothari, Khari, Dai, Dheel, Sohadara, Morael and the Kalisill on the left.


MAP - 16


The Banas covers a basin of 45,833 sq km which is entirely within Rajasthan.

River Banas drains the east slope of the central portion of the Aravalli range, and the

basin includes part of Udaipur, Bhilwara, Ajmer, Bundi, Chittorgarh, Jaipur, Pali,

Rajsamand, Sawai Madhopur, Tonk and Dausa districts. This river usually dries up

during the summer season. The total length of this river is about 480 km.

River Banganga- the River Banganga originates from the low hills of Bairath (Jaipur

District). It flows towards the east through Sawai Madhopur district and then enters

into Bharatpur district where its water spreads over a large area. The total length of

this river is 380 km. the river joins the Yamuna near Fatehabad of Agra district.

River Luni- River Luni originates from the western slopes of the Aravalli range. It

flows for about 495 km in a South-westerly direction in Rajasthan and finally

disappears in the marshy land on the Runn of Kutch in Gujarat. The total catchment

area of Luni river basin in Rajasthan is 37,363 km2, covering parts of the districts of

Pali, Jodhpur, Nagaur, Ajmer, Barmer, Sirohi and Jalore. Luni, a seasonal river,

flows only during the rainy season. At many places, it is chocked with the advancing

at sands. Even in the monsoon months when the water flow rate is at its peak, the

flowing water is not able to cut these sand deposits on the river bed. As a result of

sand deposits the runoff spreads to the adjoining fields on both the banks of the river,

braiding it. Many streams and tributaries like Mithri, Sukri, Bandi, Jawai, Sagi,

Jhojri, Guhiya, Lilri, etc. flow on the western side of the Aravalli range and drain the

run-off of some parts of Pali, Jalore, Sirohi and Barmer District Areas.

River Mahi- The River Mahi originates from the Mhou ranges of Madhya Pradesh

and after flowing towards north enters Rajasthan state near Khandu Village of


Banswara District. Its catchment area in Rajasthan spread over the districts of

Banswara, Dungarpur, Udaipur, Chittorgarh, covering a total geographical area of

about 16,030 sq km. The important tributaries of this river are Jakham, Som, Moran,

Anas and Chap.

River Sabarmati- The Sabarmati originates from the low hills of Gogunda (Udaipur

district). It is called Wakal in its initial course. It covers a catchment area of 4300 sq.

km. in the State and drains part of its water from Udaipur and Sirohi districts before

finally traverse across Gujarat to meet the Gulf of Cambay. It is approximately 371

km in length.

Some of the other drainage in the State is as follows:-

RIVER SOM originates in the hills of the village Som in Kherwara of Udaipur

district. It flows south-east through a hilly region. It joins river Mahi near the village

Beneswar. The catchment of Som lies in Udaipur and Dungarpur districts. Its

tributaries include Tidi, Gomti and Jakham.

RIVER JAKHAM originates south – west of the hills of Chhoti Sadri in Chittorgarh

district. It flows through the hilly region of the Udaipur district in the southwestern

direction. It joins river Som near Bilara village. The sub basin is situated in

Chittorgarh and Udaipur districts. Its tributaries are Karmail and Sukli.

RIVER MORAN originates in the southern hills of Dungarpur town. It flows

through Dungarpur district and joins river Mahi near Galiakot village. Entire

catchment of the river falls in Dungarpur district.


RIVER ANAS originates in the northern areas of the Vindhyan ranges near Amber

village in Madhya Pradesh. It flows in the north-western direction. It enters

Rajasthan near Meledikhera village and joins Mahi River about 15 km downstream

of Galiakot village. Its sub-basin is situated in Banswara district in Rajasthan.

RIVER BHARAD, origination of Bharad is in the hills south of Kanguwa village in

Dungarpur District. It flows from the north to south and enters Gujarat near

Kokhakra village in Dungarpur District where it joins the mahi near Karanta village

in Gujarat. Its catchment area is situated in Dungarpur District.

RIVER BERACH originates in the northeast hills of Udaipur city. It flows north-

east for about 157 km in Udaipur, Bhilwara and Chittorgarh Districts and finally

joins the Banas near Bigod village in Bhilwara District. It flows in a hilly region up

to Badgaon reservoir and then through plains.

RIVER KOTHARI originates in the Aravalli range near Horera village in Bhilwara

district. The river flows through Rajsamand and Bhailwara Districts for about 51 km

in a hilly region, and 100 km through the plains, before joining the Banas near

Nandrai village in Bhilwara District.

RIVER KHARI originates in the hills near Deogarh in Rajsmand District. It flows

northeast for about 192 km through Udaipur, Bhilwara and Ajmer Districts before

joining the Banas River near Chosala village in Ajmer District.

RIVER DAI originates in the south eastern slopes of the Aravalli range, near

Nasirabad of Ajmer District. It flows southeast for about 40 km and in the east for

nearly 56 km in Ajmer District and for a short distance through Tonk District, before

joining Banas near Bisalpur village in Tonk District.


RIVER MASHI originates in the hills near Kishangarh in Ajmer District. It flows

in the east and then in south for about 96 km in the areas of Ajmer and Tonk

Districts before joining Banas River near Tonk.

LAKES OF RAJASTHAN

Lake Pichhola is situated in Udaipur city. Pichhola is an artificial fresh water

lake. It was created in the year 1362 AD, and named after the nearby Pichholi village.

It extends to three miles in length, two miles in width and has a depth of 30 feet.

Pichhola lake is enveloped by palaces, temples, bathing ghats and hills on all sides.

FATEH SAGAR LAKE is located in the north of Lake Pichhola. It was built by

Maharana Jai Singh in 1678 as a medium size perennial storage reservoir. The lake

has three small island .The largest of these is the island called the Nehru park (4 sq.

km area), which is a garden with a restaurant and a zoo. The second island (0.06 sq.

km area) houses a public park with a water jet fountain and the third island (1.2 sq.

km area) is the Udaipur solar Observatory. The run off emerging from surrounding

hills drains into this lake. The lake is pear-shaped and is surrounded by the Aravalli

hills on three sides with a straight gravity stone masonry dam on the eastern side,

which has a spillway to discharge flood waters during the monsoon season,

UDAI SAGAR LAKE is another lake that falls under the category of the five lakes

of Udaipur. Udaisagar Lake is located at a distance of about 13 km in the east of

Udaipur. The construction of this lake was started by Maharana Udai Singh. Udai

sagar Lake extends to 4 km in length, 2.5 km in width and deep up to 9 meters at the

maximum. The Ahar River terminates in this lake and the surplus water falls from

the waste weir forming the source of river Berach. The present setup to use the lake


water includes irrigation, fishing, and industrial and drinking water purposes. It

serves as the intake source of the gigantic industries like Hindustan Zinc and

Udaipur Cement. In fact, the domestic waste water and industrial effluent are main

threatening to the existence of this lake.

MAN SAGAR LAKE is a 300 acre lake, surrounded by the Nahargarh hills of

Jaipur city. Today it is the only significant water body in the city of Jaipur. The lake

is approximately 130 hectare in its full spread. The lake has been a natural habitat

for more than 150 species of local and migratory birds. Its water provides sustainable

living to countless species like fish, birds, insects, micro-organisms and aquatic

vegetation.

RAMGARH LAKE is a huge artificial lake created by constructing a high bund

amidst tree covered hills. The lake is located at a distance of 25 km from the city of

Jaipur. Ramgarh Lake is around 4 km in length and 2 km in width. A beautiful

landscape attracts tourists from far off places, especially during monsoons. The lake

consists of 90 feet high sand dam situated 20 miles north-east of Jaipur in the gorge

through which the Banganga river passes before emerging into the plains.

KEOLADEO JHEEL the Keoladeo Jheel is part of the Keoladeo National Park

(Bharatpur sanctuary). Before the development of this sanctuary, it was a part of the

arid scrub woodland and was a natural depression which filled up with rainwater

during the monsoon and attracted wildfowl in the season. Basically, it is a natural

depression (Jheel). It receives water in the monsoon period (from June to September)

through artificial dams and bunds, notable the Ajan Dam or Ajan Bundh, a 3,270

hectare impoundment, about a kilometer from Keoladeo is a fine system of freshwater


marshes attracts large populations of migratory birds of several species in 16 square

miles of marsh known as the Ghana Jheel (Ghana means dense and Jheel means

Lake). Dependent on the monsoons the lake is facing a shortage of water due to

diversions upstream. The Government of Rajasthan has started a series of remedial

measures, involving both repairing the existing hydraulic systems and designing

new structures to provide fresh sources of water and protect the park from future

failures of the monsoon. Hydraulic structures have been repaired and a new water

control structure around Ajan dam and drains linking the dam to the park's wetland

areas (the Chiksana Canal), are now fully operational.

GAIBSAGAR LAKE set amidst the strikingly picturesque location of Dungarpur,

is the famous Gaib Sagar Lake, which was built by Maharaj Gopinath (Gaipa Rawal)

in 1428 .Like Keoladeo, it also provides the tourists with an opportunity to witness a

variety of bird species.

The woods and the waters of the lake provide habitat to thousands of ducks

of a dozen species, several thousand gray and purple herons, egrets, purple

moorhens, white breasted water hens, bee- eaters and green pigeons.

PUSHKAR LAKE- The Puskhar Lake is located in the town of Pushkar in Ajmer

district. The lake is irregular to elliptical in shape, surrounded by hills except on the

eastern side, where the sands have drifted over the marshland from the plains of

Marwar. The lake has a water stretch of 5 km. with a depth varying from 18-32 feet.

Beliefs of sacredness and divinity are attributed to the lake. It is encircled by some

500 odd temples and the lake has 52 ghats which connect the temples to the water.

The location of the Puskhar Lake in the middle of hills makes it very picturesque. It


is also one of the major tourist attractions in Rajasthan. Of late, the lake has become

vulnerable to pollution due to the heavy influx of construction around the lake,

tourist pressure, cattle fairs, submergence of ashes, performance of rituals and

undefined sewer system.

NAKKI LAKE- Situated at Mount Abu, Nakki Lake is known in mythology for

having being dug by the nails or 'nakh' of the Gods. Nakki Lake is also the only

Indian artificial take situated at a height of 1200 meters above the mean sea level.

The lake is about half a mile long, a quarter mile broad and 20 to 30 ft. deep towards

the dam on the west. Flora and fauna is varied and wild flowers, shrubs, palms,

bamboo grow here in abundance.

JAISAMAND LAKE- Jaisamand Lake was built by Maharaja Jai Singh in the 17th

century and created by damming the Gomti River, today, it measures 14 km long

and 9 km wide. The lake features a variety of bird life and the nearby Jaisamand

Sanctuary is home to panthers, Leopards, deer, wild boars and crocodiles.

IRRIGATION NETWORK

Irrigation is an important input by itself for agriculture like fertilizers,

improved seeds etc which imparts confidence to the farmers to adopt improved

agricultural practices. The State government has given high priority to the

development of surface water resources during the last four decades of planned

development. A large number of irrigation projects have been planned and executed

in different parts of the State. Five major irrigation projects in Rajasthan, each with a

cultivable command area of about 10,000 hectares are as follows:


INDIRA GANDHI NAHAR PARIYOJANA - Indira Gandhi Nahar Pariyojana

(IGNP) started in 1958 and the irrigation facility started in 1961. The area of the

project spans over four districts of Rajasthan, namely - Ganganagar, Bikaner,

Hanumangarh and Jaisalmer. Its main aim is to assist in agricultural activities and

provide drinking water, but it also envisages regional development and ecological

improvement by arresting desertification.

COMMAND AREA DEVELOPMENT PROJECT - Command Area Development

Authorities (CADA) was established for Chambal and Indira Gandhi Nagar

Pariyojana (INGP) in 1974. Its work included the construction of water courses from

the canal to the fields, drainage system to prevent water-logging, reservoirs for

drinking water, agriculture research, fisheries, protective forestry for canal,

forestation, and pasture development, supply of inputs and services to the farmers

and development of marketing facilities.

MAHI BAJAJ SAGAR PROJECT - The project is a joint multipurpose venture of

the States of Rajasthan and Gujarat for harnessing the waters of Mahi River for

development of irrigation and power, for which an agreement was reached in the

year 1966 between the two States. This agreement further provides that after the

development of Narmada Dam in Gujarat, the entire water stored in Mahi Bajaj

Sagar Dam and part storage of Kadana dam would be released for use in western

arid districts of Rajasthan i.e. Jalore and Barmer.

BISALPUR PROJECT - The Project envisages construction of a dam across the

Banas River for drinking water supply to the towns to Beawar and Nasirabad (Ajmer


district) and Jaipur district and the villages lying in between them. The project also

provides irrigation facilities in Tonk and Sawai Madhopur districts.

GURGAON CANAL PROJECT - To utilize 500 cusecs of Yamuna Waters

through Agra Canal during the rainy season for irrigation Gurgaon Canal Project is

being constructed. This will facilitate the irrigation of Kharif crops in 185 villages of

Deeg and Kaman tehsils of Bharatpur district. The States of Uttar Pradesh, Haryana,

Rajasthan and Delhi have signed an agreement regarding the sharing of Yamuna

waters.

JAKHAM IRRIGATION PROJECT - The Jakham irrigation project comprises a

storage dam on the river Jakham near village Anuppura in Dhariawad tehsil of

district Udaipur. It also consists of a weir located near village Naglia, about 11 km

from Mahi dam.

CHAMBAL VALLEY PROJECT - The Chambal Valley Project is a major

multipurpose project, constructed across the river Chambal by the State of Rajasthan

and Madhya Pradesh for irrigation and hydro - power generation. Kota Barrage was

constructed to raise the water level of the river flow by about 30m to feed two canals

for commanding areas. Rana Pratap Sagar Dam and Jawahar Sagar dam are also

constructed under the same project.

SIDHMUKH NOHAR PROJECT - Sidhmukh Nohar Project is for providing

irrigation facilities to Sidhmukh Nohar areas in northern part of the state. The

project is undertaken with the assistance of European Economic Community.


3.2 GROUND WATER RESOURCES OF RAJASTHAN

Dependency on ground water resources is very high in Rajasthan due to the

scarcity of surface water resources in the state. An assessment of available ground

water resources in the state was initially carried out in mid-seventies.

For the assessment of ground water resources Block (Panchayat Samiti) have

been considered as assessment unit. The blocks have been further divided into

formation potential zones. There are a total of 239 blocks and 899 formation

potential zones in 33 districts of the state, as on March 31st 2009 (Report on

Dynamic Groundwater Resources of Rajasthan, 2009). The categorization of blocks

in Rajasthan considering level of ground water development and ground water level

trend is in to following: 1. Safe; 2. Semi-Critical; 3. Critical; 4. Over-Exploited; 5.

Saline block. The Groundwater potential zones and aquifer of Rajasthan state have

been depicted in Map – 17.

The eastern part of Rajasthan has significantly high Ground water development

as compared to the western part. This is due to low annual ground water recharge in

western Rajasthan due to low and erratic rainfall along with the absence of surface

water resources and high evapotranspiration. However, sustained pumping-out of

ground water can be achieved even during dry spell in some of the thick aquifers,

without causing adverse effects as the storage is many times the annual recharge.

To the east of Aravallis, the depth of water generally varies between less

than 10 to 25 meters whereas in the western part it ranges between 20 to 80 meters.

The water level slopes towards the east and south-east on the eastern side, whereas

to the west of Aravallis, it slopes towards the west and in the north-west.


MAP - 17


In the canal command area of Ganganagar, Banswara, Kota and Bundi

districts Shallow water levels have been noticed whereas in the western districts of

Rajasthan particularly Jaisalmer, Bikaner and Jodhpur higher value of depth to water

has been noticed.

In the areas covered by sandstones or limestone of Marwar Super Group,

Lathi formation in Jaisalmer and Barmer districts and Tertiaries in parts of Bikaner,

Nagaur, Churu, Barmer and Jaisalmer districts and localized pockets in Quaternaries

potable water is found. The general chemical quality of ground water is fresh in the

eastern part except in the localized area of Bharatpur district, particularly in Kumher

and Deeg where the ground water is brackish to saline.

The nature of rocks and their water bearing characteristics are the main

determinants of availability of ground water in any region. The hard rock consisting

of Archaean crystallines, Aravalli super- group and Delhi super- group, the Erinpura

Granites, Malani suite of igneous rocks, their equivalents the Vindhyas and the

Deccan Traps cover approximately 40% area of Rajasthan. Negligible primary

porosity is demonstrated by the crystallines - igneous and metamorphic rocks,

ranging in age from Archaen to Upper Proterozoic. But, due to weathering and

fracturing, locally, significant secondary porosity is introduced to them.

Promising aquifers with moderate to high discharge is demonstrated by

Vindhyan sandstone and limestone due to their porous and permeable nature. These

occupy parts of Kota, Baran, Jhalawar, Bundi, Chittorgarh and those of Marwar

super group in Jodhpur and Nagaur districts.


The Deccan Trap shows variation from place to place, having low to medium

permeability on the primary and secondary porosities. In the hard rock terrains, the

valley fills often contain highly productive aquifers due to the deposits laid by river

and stream deposits. But these have limited groundwater resources.

The alluvium and the blown sand which occupy the major part of the state are

the soft rocks along with the semi-consolidated formation comprising the Tertiary

and the Mesozoic era rocks. The most productive aquifers in the region are under the

alluvium covers but the quality of ground water in the region is saline. In western

Rajasthan moderate potential aquifers are formed by the blown sand as well.

The Lathi sandstones among the semi-consolidated formations are found to

contain moderate to higher productive aquifers. From wells tapping sandstones,

limestone and fractured crystallines, higher yields are obtained.

As per estimates, Rajasthan has Net Ground Water availability of 1079185

hectare meter while existing Gross Ground Water Draft for all purposes is of

1451924 hectare meter. Stage of Ground Water Development in the state is 134.54%.

Allocation for domestic and Industrial purposes is 183738 hectare meter and that for

irrigation requirement is 75103 hectare meter (Central Ground Water Board, 2009).


3.3 WATER USE

One of the most vital natural resource for the existence of humans is water.

However, Rajasthan is not very well endowed with this resource and is the driest

state in India with scarce water resources. It depends entirely on the rainfall to feed

its rivers, whether seasonal or perennial in nature. None of these rivers originate

from snow-fed glaciers.

Surface water accounts for mere 1% of the total surface water in the country.

Internally, 16.05 billion cubic meter of surface water are economically utilizable in

the state. However, rainfall and temperature conditions make the availability of

surface water a serious problem. In all, about 72% of economically utilizable portion

has been harnessed by the state. In addition to it, 17.89 billion cubic meters is

allocated through Inter-State agreements.

In most of the districts of the state, surface water is not used for drinking.

However, parts of Ajmer district draw water from Bisalpur Dam and other surface

sources. Parts of Bikaner, Hanumangarh and Ganganagar draw water from Indira

Gandhi Canal Project, Bhakra Canal and Gang Canal. Parts of Udaipur, Rajsamand,

Pali, Kota, Baran, Bundi and Jhalawar too draw water from the nearby surface

sources. About 1200 villages of Ganganagar depend on the Indira Gandhi Canal

Project for water, while few other villages depend on Gang Canal too. The arid and

semi-arid region of the state is increasingly relying on the irrigation water to meet

the needs of the growing agrarian sector, but such region is merely about 20% of the

cultivable land in the state.


The industrial requirement of water is mainly drawn from river Kalisindh

and Chambal in Kota district; from Udaisagar Lake in Udaipur district; from Zawai

Dam in Sirohi district; from Gosunda dam on Berach River in Chittorgarh district;

from Lakhotiya Pond in Pali district.

Due this paucity of surface water resources the dependency of the state on

the ground water resources increases. This results in non-judicious exploitation of

the resource. This is evident as both the quality and quantity if the groundwater is

degrading all over the state. The Table – 5 shows category-wise steady decline in the

number of safe blocks and rise in the number of blocks having over- exploitation of

groundwater.

Table - 5 Category-wise status of groundwater blocks in Rajasthan

S. No. Category of Blocks 2001 2004 2009

1. Safe 49 32 31

2. Semi-Critical 21 14 16

3. Critical 80 50 25

4. Over-Exploited 86 140 166

5. Saline 1 1 1

TOTAL 237 237 239

Source: Rajasthan State Pollution Control Board, 1994; Central Ground Water Board, Western

Region Jaipur.

Agro-Climatic Region Wise Water usage-demand scenario

Total demand for water in the state according to the 2010 statistics is 31333.74

million cubic meter (MCM). Out of which 26722.24 million cubic meters (MCM) is


required for agriculture, 434.76 MCM for industrial usage, 2883.71 MCM for

domestic sectors and 999.45 MCM for livestock. 293.59 MCM is demanded for

other miscellaneous purposes like recreation, beautification and construction works

etc. The maximum demand for water is in the Jaisalmer district, i.e. 3112.63 MCM

and least demand is posed by Dungarpur district i.e. 334.45 MCM. The district-wise

demand and water usage is depicted in Figure – 2.

Figure - 2

The following chapter studies the trend of water usage in the various agro-

climatic regions of the state and the Figure – 3 depicts the Agro Climatic Region

wise water demand in the state.

Average Annual Water Usage and Demand District-wise-2010

Dungarpur

Jhunjhunu

Dausa

Banswara

Dholpur

Sikar

Sirohi

Rajsamand

Jalore

Bharatpur

Alwar

Ajmer

Pali

Tonk

Hanumangarh

Sri Ganganagar

Kota

Bundi

Jaipur

Udaipur

Jhalawar

Bhilwara

Baran

Nagaur

Chittorgarh

Churu

Sawai Madhopur+ Karauli

Jodhpur

Barmer

Bikaner

Jaisalmer


Figure - 3

1. Arid North Western Sandy Plain

The total demand for water in this zone is 2117.67 MCM. The demand for

water is for Agriculture is 1837.64 MCM, which is the major usage sector in this

zone. Here the demand in for Industrial, Domestic and Livestock purposes is 51.61

MCM, 163.14 MCM and 65.28 MCM respectively.

2. Irrigated North Western Plain

Total demand for water in the zone was 1662.73 MCM i.e. 5.1% of the total

share of water. Here, the demand in agriculture sector is highest i.e. 1461.25 MCM

followed by utilization in Domestic, Industrial and Livestock sectors i.e. 111.93

MCM, 49.62 MCM and 39.91 MCM respectively. The Irrigated North Western

Plain occupies 2nd position in the terms of demand and use of water resources.

Agro-Climatic Region wise Average Annual Water Usage and

Demand-2010

Humid Southern Plain

Irrigated North Western

Plain

Arid North Western Sandy

Plain

Flood Prone Eastern Plain

Semi Arid Eastern Plain

Transitional Plain of Inland

Drainage

Alluvial Plain of Luni Basin


3. Hyper Arid Partial Irrigated Zone

The Hyper Arid Partial Irrigated Zone used 4652.62 MCM of water for

agricultural sector and 356.40 MCM, 127.10 MCM and 158.00 MCM for domestic,

livestock and industrial sectors respectively. Total usage of the district is 5294.13

MCM and it ranks 9th.

4. Transitional Plain of Inland Drainage

The Transitional Plain of Inland Drainage zone ranks 6th in the state. The

total demand is of 3388.66 MCM, out of which 2863.32 MCM is used in agriculture

sector, 321.31 MCM for domestic usage and 111.9 MCM for livestock. Whereas

92.04 MCM is required for industrial purposes.

5. Alluvial Plain of Luni Basin

This zone has a total requirement of 3541.54 MCM which ranks 7th

in the

state. The usage in agriculture, domestic, livestock and industrial sectors are 3024.08

MCM, 319.47 MCM, 150.54 MCM and 47.44 MCM respectively. The industrial

usage is the least in this zone in terms of water quantity.

6. Semi Arid Eastern Plain

The district demands 2995.35 MCM to meet its need of 2360.80 MCM,

447.44 MCM, 125.53 MCM and 11.33 MCM for agricultural, domestic, livestock and

industrial usage respectively; along with 50.23 MCM for other miscellaneous uses.

7. Flood Prone Eastern Plain

The zone ranks 4th in terms of total demand for water, with a total

requirement of 2501.55 MCM. The highest demand is for agriculture and domestic


purposes. Its demand for water in sectors of Agriculture, Domestic, Livestock and

Industry is 2070.88 MCM, 315.23 MCM, 82.44 MCM and 7.87 MCM respectively.

For other sectors it requires 25.11 MCM as well.

8. Sub Humid Southern Plain and Aravallis

The water demand in the Sub Humid Southern Plain and Aravallis region

was 3323.76 MCM for agricultural usage. For domestic, livestock and industrial

usage it requires 477.57 MCM, 162.05 MCM and 11.12 MCM respectively. Total

demand of district is 4042.72MCM.

9. Humid Southern Plain

The total demand of the Humid Southern Plain region to meet its usage

demand is 788.82 MCM and being the region of lowest water demand in the state. Its

demand for agricultural usage is 679.51 MCM, for domestic purpose is 69.88 MCM,

for livestock purposes is 39.03 MCM and for industrial purposes it is 0.38 MCM.

10. Humid South Eastern Plain

The agro-climatic zone of Humid South Eastern Plain has the highest demand

for water in the state i.e. 5686.03 MCM. Its demand for agriculture, domestic and

livestock usage is 5034.63 MCM, 369.19 MCM and 114.70 MCM respectively. For

industrial purposes 6.66 MCM is required and 160.82 MCM for other purposes is

demanded.

It can be seen that the highest demand for water in the state is in the

agricultural sector followed by domestic and livestock sector. The demand from the

industrial sector is the least in the state. The region wise sectoral demand is depicted

in the Graph – 4.


Graph - 4

0

1000

2000

3000

4000

5000

6000

Un

it i

n M

CM

Agro-Climatic Region Wise Sectoral Water Use-Demand- 2010

Agriculture Industrial Domestic Live Stock Others


3.4 WATER MANAGEMENT

Rajasthan is predominantly rain-fed agrarian state, with its two-thirds

population depending on agriculture and related activities. The state shares only 1.15

percent of the total water resources of India. Hence the State suffers from a

disproportionately poor availability of water when compared to its potential large

users, people, animals and agriculture. Western Rajasthan is arid to semi-arid with a

negative water balance and acute water deficit. The eastern part of the state is semi-

arid to sub-humid with relatively better water availability. The ecological, social and

economic system will be affected by climate change as it is predicted to cause

changes in the water cycle.

This scenario makes exploration of the potential for water harvesting, its

conservation and efficient utilization the need of the hour. Improving water

management systems in the state must include integrating possible impacts of

climate change on freshwater systems and their management, including seasonal

shifts in streams flow, salinisation and flooding and drought risks.

For proper water management in any region professionals with expertise in

water resources management, engineers, scientists, technicians along with locals

must co-operate together to achieve the goal of water management in the state.

Groundwater recharge is a natural process; still with the assistance of

artificial recharge techniques this process can be rapid. Groundwater is popularly the

only source of drinking water in many regions of the state. This need promoted the

need of efficient water harvesting techniques in Rajasthan since a long time. The

most prevalent water harvesting structures include bawari and jhalara which depend


on groundwater for recharge and talab, nadi, tanka, kund and khadin which are

based on harnessing surface runoff. The following chapter discusses the traditional

and modern methods of rainwater harvesting in Rajasthan.

TRADITIONAL METHODS OF RAINWATER HARVESTING IN RAJASTHAN

The traditional sources of water in Rajasthan include Nadi, Tanka, Johad,

Bandha, Sagar, Samund and Sarovar. The large public wells known as Kohar,

Jhalra, Baori, Beri, Saagar were owned by the community.

1. Lakes

Maximum conservation of water is in the form of lakes in Rajasthan. World

famous lakes like Lalsagar (1800), Kailana (1872), Takhatsagar (1932), and

Ummedasagar (1931) Balsamand lake of Jodhpur; Jaisamand, Udai Sagar, Fateh

Sagar, Rajsamand and Pichhola of Udaipur; Anasagar lake, Pushkar lake of Ajmer;

Mansagar lake of Jaipur exist here. These lakes conserved large quantities of water

which is used for drinking, religious and recreational purposes.

2. Bawari

Step wells are locally known as Bawari and jhalara. These are sweet water

aquifers getting a regular and heavy recharge mainly set up in cities and big towns to

provide a water supply to the community. They were mainly constructed to conserve

rain water. Bawaris and Sarovar have remained important sources of drinking water

and irrigation respectively since ancient times.

3. Naadi

The oldest and still prevalent storage structure for rainwater harvesting is

naadi or dug-out village pond or tank (Pokhar). Their Agor (catchment area) is also


large. The water stored in a naadi acts as a source of groundwater recharge through

seepage and deep percolation and is generally used for drinking by livestock and

human beings. Naadi construction is more prevalent in the western Rajasthan.

4. Tanka

The tanka is circular or rectangular shape pond with a life span of 3-4 years,

normally on bare ground to which surface runoff can be diverted. The area around it is

a clean catchment. The traditional tanka is constructed with lime plaster and thatched

with bushes. Ranisar and Padamsar tanks of Jodhpur, forest tanks of Ranthambore,

Sukhsagar Tank and Kalasagar tank and Padmini tank are few famous ones.

5. Khadeen

It was first developed in the 15th century in the Jaisalmer district, Khadeen is

a most multi-purpose method of water conservation. The run-off from upland and

rocky surfaces is collected in a khadeen from the adjoining valley against an

embankment having a masonry water barrier for outflow of runoff excess. The

standing water in a khadeen assists continuous groundwater recharge. On the Khadeen

bed at least one crop is cultivated even in the arid region as it retains moisture and

contains fine and fertile soil. In the immediate vicinity downstream the sub-surface

water is extracted through bore wells.

6. Kui

To minimize the wastage of water, small well known as Kui or Beri is

constructed near a water leaking and oozing tank. At Bikaner, Jaisalmer and Jodhpur

'Kui' are found in a large number. Its opening is covered by strips of wood and

mostly they remain kaccha.


7. Jhalras

The water of Jhalras was used in religious ceremonies, community bath and

such other functions. Jhalras in Man Mandir at Jodhpur are well known. They do not

have their own catchment area rather, the water reservoirs receive water from

soakage of tanks or lakes situated at a higher level.

8. Roof-Water Harvesting

The houses in western Rajasthan during ancient times were constructed with

stone and lime and the roof water was diverted to Tankas. The housing complexes and

institutional buildings in urban areas have large roofs and the roof-top rainwater can

be conserved and used for recharge of groundwater. Here an outlet pipe from the roof

top to divert the water to the existing wells or special recharge wells in urban areas.

MODERN METHODS OF WATER CONSERVATION IN RAJASTHAN

With the advancement of technology and increasing need for water new

methods are adopted to conserve water using scientific techniques.

1. Water Harvesting Dams or Nalla bunds

In ravine lands, a series of small barriers are constructed across selected

Nalla sections of second order streams so as to obstruct the flow of surface water in

the stream channel and water is retained on the surface for a longer period. These

check dams act as a mini percolation tank which helps retention of the silt load,

supplement irrigation, contributes groundwater recharge and enhances the overall

biomass production of the system. These Water harvesting dams are promoted under

the Watershed Management Program in Rajasthan.


2. Ditch and Furrow Method

In areas with irregular topography, flat bottomed, shallow and closely-spaced

ditches or furrows there is maximum water contact area to recharge water from

source stream or canal. This technique is less sensitive to silting.

3. Anicuts

A small water harvesting masonry dam constructed across a stream to hold

sufficient water and submerge the upstream area during the rainy season is known as

an Anicut. The stored water is used for drinking and recharging groundwater in

adjacent wells. Lift irrigation is also practiced. Like in a khadin, if the submerged

area is large then bed cultivation is practiced using the stored soil profile moisture.

4. Percolation Tanks

Percolation tanks are recharge structures for impounding surface runoff

constructed on small streams with adequate catchment. These tanks are more feasible

in hard rock regions which are highly fractured and weathered to quickly recharge

the groundwater due to low evaporation losses. They can be dug in alluvial rock

formations as well.

5. Sub-Surface Barriers

In the sandy bed of an ephemeral desert streams the sub-surface barrier is a

suitable artificial recharge structure. It is constructed below the river bed on

impermeable sub-surface strata and so the structure is secure from flooding and does

not require periodic de-silting and has limited evaporation.


6. Harvesting and Conservation of Flash Floods

Flash floods occur in response to very high rainfall or a cloudburst of short

duration. Over-topping of defined courses of streams and spreading into flood plains

causing immense damage are their characteristic features. These waters can be

allowed to percolate inside the already existing aquifers of the water is diverted

towards the runoff storage tanks. The water can be later put to agricultural or

domestic purposes after basic purification.

7. In-situ Water Harvesting and Moisture Conservation

In-situ water harvesting and moisture conservation is very useful in drought

mitigation and in enhancing land productivity, which are field based, cost effective,

location-specific soil and water conservation technology. Under this technique,

Contour furrowing is practiced on mild slopes. Also, a large numbers of mini-

storages are created across the slope which alleviate drought. Contour bunding is

recommended in the semiarid region of the state for soil and water conservation in

rain-fed farming regions. Locally adapted, native, fast-growing perennial grasses

with extensive root systems are planted against the slopes to act as Contour vegetative

barrier. These grasses and shrubs form a dense hedge and conserve soil and water.

This cheap and environmental friendly measure improves land productivity.

8. Recharge Shaft

In the areas where source of water is only seasonally available the recharge

shaft allows water to stand in it for longer time and allowing it to percolate to

recharge a nearby well or other water body. The recharge shaft is efficient and cost

effective structure to recharge the aquifers directly.

3.1 SURFACE WATER RESOURCES W - Information...

Documents

Transcript of 3.1 SURFACE WATER RESOURCES W - Information...