Indigenous Techniques of Water Indigenous Techniques of Water Management for Resource Management for Resource

Conservation and Sustainability: Conservation and Sustainability: A Basis for Future GuidanceA Basis for Future Guidance

U. C. SHARMAU. C. SHARMACentre for Natural Resources Management, Centre for Natural Resources Management,

V.P.O. V.P.O. TaroreTarore, Jammu, Jammu--181133, India181133, India

APATANI PLATEAU

Location of Apatani plateau

Constraints in the RegionConstraints in the Region

Shifting cultivationShifting cultivationLand tenure systemLand tenure systemSmall land holdingsSmall land holdingsHigh rainfallHigh rainfallConducive climate for pests and Conducive climate for pests and diseasesdiseasesInhospitable terrain/ inaccessibilityInhospitable terrain/ inaccessibilityLack of communicationLack of communicationLack of marketing facilitiesLack of marketing facilitiesLack of financeLack of finance

Food grain requirement and deficit in Food grain requirement and deficit in NE region (million NE region (million tonnestonnes))

Year Food grain requirement

Food grain production

Deficit

1980 4.95 3.82 1.13

2000 8.02 5.89 2.13

2020 12.82 9.07 3.75

Approximate water needs of north Approximate water needs of north eastern region (kmeastern region (km33))

Purpose 2001 2021

Domestic use 2.90 4.30

Agriculture 20.00 25.00

Energy 1.50 2.50

Industry 1.50 2.50

Other uses 1.50 2.50

Total 27.40 37.00

Water Resources in the Water Resources in the Northeastern regionNortheastern region

Surface water potential (kmSurface water potential (km33) ) ……. 1487.4. 1487.4Ground water potential (kmGround water potential (km33) ) ………… 31.131.1Ultimate irrigation potentialUltimate irrigation potential•• Major projects (000Major projects (000’’ ha) ha) …………. .

14851485•• Minor irrigation Minor irrigation …………. .

17551755Annual rain water received (kmAnnual rain water received (km33) .. 510) .. 510

Water Availability in the Major Water Availability in the Major Rivers of the Northeastern RegionRivers of the Northeastern Region

River Basin Drainage area (000’ km2)

Average annual run-off (km3)

Average run-off per km2 (m3)

Brahmaputra river 194.4 537.2 276300

Barak river 78.1 59.8 765600

Rainfall in Northeastern RegionRainfall in Northeastern RegionYears Mean annual rainfall (mm)

1986-88 2780

1989-91 2460

1992-94 2384

1995-97 2251

1998-2000 2361

Flood Affected Area in the Flood Affected Area in the Northeastern RegionNortheastern Region

State

Area prone to floods

(km2)

Annual flood affected area

(km2)

Flood prone area as % of geographical

areaArunachal 145 7 0.17Assam 31450 3597 40.09Manipur 985 44 4.41Meghalaya 75 3 0.33Mizoram 65 2 0.29Nagaland 70 2 0.42Tripura 3050 105 29.08Total 35840 3760 14.05

Trends in Population Growth in Trends in Population Growth in Northeastern RegionNortheastern Region

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

1971 1981 1991 2001 2011 2021

Year

Popu

latio

n (m

illio

ns)

RuralUrbanTotal

Change in Forest Cover in Northeastern Change in Forest Cover in Northeastern Region Between 1991 & 1993 (KmRegion Between 1991 & 1993 (Km22))

Loss due to

State Shifting cultivation Others

ArunachalAssamManipurMeghalayaMizoramNagalandTripuraTotal

70 26 - -96165 190 112 -24328 36 - -64

110 2 6 -106256 - 100 -15663 - 90 +2710 27 40 +3

702 281 348 -635

Regener-ation and

new planting

Net loss (-) & gain

(+)

Potential indigenous water Potential indigenous water management systemsmanagement systems

ZABOZABORiceRice--based based ApataniApatani farming systemfarming systemBamboo drip irrigationBamboo drip irrigationWet rice cultivationWet rice cultivation

Forest area

Desiltation tank IDesiltation tank II

Main pond

Animal enclosure

Rice fields

ZABO SYSTEM

‘‘ZaboZabo’’ system of water managementsystem of water managementZaboZabo means impounding of water in means impounding of water in local language.local language.Unique rainUnique rain--water harvesting and water harvesting and management systemmanagement systemIt is a combination of forestry, It is a combination of forestry, agriculture, liveagriculture, live--stock and fisheries stock and fisheries with a water and soil conservation with a water and soil conservation base.base.Practiced by Practiced by ChakhesangChakhesang tribe of tribe of NagalandNagaland state of India.state of India.

The systemThe system

Forest landForest landWater harvesting systemWater harvesting systemAnimal enclosureAnimal enclosureAgricultural landAgricultural land

ZABO SYSTEMZABO SYSTEMPaddy fields are located at lower Paddy fields are located at lower elevations.elevations.Seepage loss through shoulder bunds is Seepage loss through shoulder bunds is checked by plastering side wall of the checked by plastering side wall of the pond with mud and rice husk.pond with mud and rice husk.Only one long duration rice variety, Only one long duration rice variety, tanyekumughantanyekumughan is grown (190 days).is grown (190 days).Supplement irrigation from storage pond.Supplement irrigation from storage pond.PaddyPaddy--cumcum--fish culturefish cultureSucculent branches of Succulent branches of AlnusAlnus nepalensisnepalensisand and AlbiziaAlbizia lebbeklebbek added for soil fertility.added for soil fertility.

The legendThe legend……..1.1. The inhabitants of The inhabitants of KikuramaKikurama village have village have

possibly migrated during nomadic possibly migrated during nomadic period. The period. The ChakhesangChakhesang tribe moved tribe moved alongwithalongwith their leader, in search of a their leader, in search of a productive land for settlement.productive land for settlement.

2.2. The leader was holding a cock in his The leader was holding a cock in his hand and a big stone on his head. The hand and a big stone on his head. The belief of the tribe was that they would belief of the tribe was that they would settle at a place where the stone must settle at a place where the stone must fall from leaderfall from leader’’s head and cock must s head and cock must crow. Only then the place will be free crow. Only then the place will be free from diseases, good for crop production from diseases, good for crop production and overall welfare of the tribe.and overall welfare of the tribe.

3. The tribe moved through many fertile 3. The tribe moved through many fertile lands but neither the stone fell down lands but neither the stone fell down from leaderfrom leader’’s head nor cock crowed. This s head nor cock crowed. This was not a good omen, the leader was not a good omen, the leader thought. thought.

4. The tribe continued journey, ultimately 4. The tribe continued journey, ultimately reaching a place where stone fell down reaching a place where stone fell down from leaderfrom leader’’s head and cock also crowed. s head and cock also crowed. This is the place where, now This is the place where, now KikrumaKikrumavillage is situated.village is situated.

5. This place was not good for crop 5. This place was not good for crop production, devoid of good water production, devoid of good water resources and coming under rainresources and coming under rain--shadow shadow area. area.

Average crop productivity under different Average crop productivity under different land uses in land uses in NagalandNagaland state (kg hastate (kg ha--11))

Land use systemCrop

Shifting cultivation

Zabo State average

Paddy 970 3250 1343

Maize 785 1820 1077

oilseeds 312 1975 820

Impact on society Impact on society

Improvement in environmentImprovement in environmentIncrease in crop productivity on Increase in crop productivity on sustainable basis.sustainable basis.Forest protection. Forest protection. Water and soil conservation.Water and soil conservation.Increase in income of tribal people as Increase in income of tribal people as well as quality of life.well as quality of life.Reduced dependence on outside Reduced dependence on outside resources.resources.

Some Facts About The Some Facts About The ApataniApatani PlateauPlateauArea : 26 km2

Height above mean sea level : 1524 m

Height of surrounding hills : 2438 m

Population : 24000

Population density per km2 : 923

Density in whole state of Arunachal : 12

Number of villages : 21

Number of families : 3500

Persons per family : 6.8

Wet rice cultivation : 1900 ha

Rainfed crops including rice : 968 ha

Land Holding Size in Land Holding Size in ApataniApatani plateauplateau

Holding size (ha) Number Per cent

Below 1 ha 1360 47.5

1 – 2 ha 990 34.6

2 – 5 ha 489 17.1

Above 2 ha 23 0.8

Source: District Agri. Officer, Lower Subansiri

Climate and Soils of Climate and Soils of ApataniApatani PlateauPlateau

Parameter Range

Rainfall (annual) 2240mm-2910mm

Temperature

Summer 6.3 °C – 28.1 °C

Winter 1.0 °C – 18.4 °C

Soil texture Sandy loam to clay loam

Soil pH 5.1 – 5.6

Organic carbon (%) 1.2 - 2.8

P2O5 (kg ha-1) 19 -32

K20 (kg ha-1) 300 - 365

Major Components of Integrated Water Major Components of Integrated Water Management SystemManagement System

Water managementWater managementLand managementLand managementNutrients managementNutrients managementPaddyPaddy--cumcum--fish culturefish cultureLabourLabour managementmanagementEnvironment preservationEnvironment preservationUse of local resourcesUse of local resources

Typical size and shape of paddy-cum-fish culture plots in Apataniplateau

1. Hubur (A. Made of plank, B. Made of pine tree trunk & C. Made of bamboo stem

2. Obstruction for fish- Bamboo net3. Erosion control at water outlets – wood sticksstructures used for inter-plot irrigation cum drainage system in Apatani

plateau

A view of the rice fields in the valley

Ragi crop on risers and rice on terraces. Overflow outlet can also be seen on the left.

Land ManagementLand Management

Construction of terracesConstruction of terracesConstruction of bunds supported by Construction of bunds supported by bamboos/ wooden clipsbamboos/ wooden clips

0.6 m 0.6 m –– 1.4 m width1.4 m width0.2 m 0.2 m –– 0.6 m height0.6 m height

Leveling of plotsLeveling of plotsplot size 235 to 2740 mplot size 235 to 2740 m22

Nutrients ManagementNutrients Management

Recycling of agricultural wastes/ rice Recycling of agricultural wastes/ rice husk/ ash/ weeds etc.husk/ ash/ weeds etc.Burning of undecomposed paddy Burning of undecomposed paddy strawstrawPig and poultry droppingsPig and poultry droppingsFree grazing of cattle after rice Free grazing of cattle after rice harvest (more than 25 thousand harvest (more than 25 thousand cattle)cattle)Forest humusForest humusTree branches (Tree branches (Alnus nepalensis)Alnus nepalensis)

PaddyPaddy--cumcum--fish culturefish culture

Fish channels in rice fieldsFish channels in rice fieldsFish fingerlings at start of cropping Fish fingerlings at start of cropping seasonseasonAverage weight attained 130 Average weight attained 130 –– 400 400 g.g.About 200 kg fish per hectareAbout 200 kg fish per hectareSubsidiary source of income for the Subsidiary source of income for the farmersfarmers

Fish channels in the paddy fields

Period and manpower Requirement of Period and manpower Requirement of Different OperationsDifferent Operations

Operations Period Man days required Remarks

Fencing Feb-March 4 Community operation (M)

Maintenance of channels

Jan-April, July

3 -do-

Maintenance of risers

Jan-Feb 31 Individual operation (M)

Nursery raising Feb-March 18 Individual operation (W)

Manuring Feb.-April 15 Individual operation (M)

Land preparation April-May 28 -do-

Operations Period Man days required Remarks

Transplanting April-May 40 Individual operation (W)

Weeding Transplanting to harvest 41 Individual

operation (W)Fish culture May-Sept 7 -do-Bird scaring and supervision Sept.-Oct. 15 -do-

Harvesting, threshing and transporting

Oct.-Nov. 115 -do-

Drying and storage Oct.-Nov. 11 -do-

Total 328

Environment PreservationEnvironment Preservation

Conserving soilConserving soilTree plantationTree plantationWater conservationWater conservationUse of farm/ household wastesUse of farm/ household wastes

Use of Local ResourcesUse of Local ResourcesRecycling of household wastesRecycling of household wastesImportant field tools made of woodImportant field tools made of woodPlot to plot outlets made of wood/ bambooPlot to plot outlets made of wood/ bambooNo inorganic source of nutrients usedNo inorganic source of nutrients usedDecomposed cattle dung, farm compost, Decomposed cattle dung, farm compost, tree leaves and ash used for crop nutritiontree leaves and ash used for crop nutritionFishing nets and fish catching baskets are Fishing nets and fish catching baskets are made of bamboos.made of bamboos.Locally made baskets and containers usedLocally made baskets and containers usedGrains, after harvest, are stored in big Grains, after harvest, are stored in big bins made of clay mixed with chopped bins made of clay mixed with chopped paddy straw.paddy straw.Threshing is done manuallyThreshing is done manually

Suggestions for ImprovementSuggestions for Improvement

Introduction of new crops during winter like Introduction of new crops during winter like mustard, pea, barley etc.mustard, pea, barley etc.Proper crop technologies for improving crop Proper crop technologies for improving crop productivityproductivityUse of high yielding short duration rice Use of high yielding short duration rice varieties to be introduced (Now rice varieties varieties to be introduced (Now rice varieties grown: grown: EmoEmo (68%), (68%), PyapingPyaping (15%), (15%), PyarPyar(10%), others (7%)(10%), others (7%)maturity duration 190maturity duration 190--278 days.278 days.Increasing fish yield by enhancing stocking Increasing fish yield by enhancing stocking density density uptoupto 6000 fingerlings per ha. (present 6000 fingerlings per ha. (present stocking rate 700stocking rate 700--2000 fingerlings per ha)2000 fingerlings per ha)Use of green manuresUse of green manures

Impact on society Impact on society

Improvement in environmentImprovement in environmentIncrease in crop productivity on Increase in crop productivity on sustainable basis.sustainable basis.Forest protection. Forest protection. Water and soil conservation.Water and soil conservation.Increase in income of tribal people as Increase in income of tribal people as well as quality of life.well as quality of life.Reduced dependence on outside Reduced dependence on outside resources.resources.

Nutrient Content In Surface and Nutrient Content In Surface and Ground Water (mg lGround Water (mg l--11)(mean values))(mean values)

Nutrient Surface water Ground water

NO3-N 35.2 45.8

P-PO4 7.4 5.3

Chlorides 68.0 104.3

Sulphates 20.5 26.1

Aluminium 0.3 0.4

Manganese 1.2 1.3

Copper 0.2 0.2

(Sharma 2003)

National Water PoliciesNational Water Policies19871. Recognized the drainage basin as the basic unit of planning of water resources development and management.

In addition ,drainage system should be a part of any irrigation project. Involvement of beneficiaries and stake holders.

3. Periodic assessment of ground water, quality and economic viability

In addition, the state and central government should prevent over-exploitation of ground water.

2. Provision of drinking water should be a primary consideration as also irrigation, hydropower navigation and industrial uses.

In addition, ecology, agro-industries, non-agricultural Industries, navigation should get due priority.

1987 2000

4. For economy in water use, water rates should be rationalized.

Water rates to cover at least operational and maintenance costs and a part of capital costs.

5. Water resources to be monitored for water quality

In addition, effluents should be treated to acceptable levels before discharging them into natural streams.

6. Conservation consciousness should be promoted through awareness programmes

In addition, maximizing in-situ rain water retention, minimizing losses.

In addition to aboveIn addition to above

Flood control and managementFlood control and managementLand erosion controlLand erosion controlDrought managementDrought managementInformation systemInformation systemScience and technologyScience and technology

Water management based on watershed approachWater management based on watershed approachLand use

system

Vegetation cover

Avg. slope (%)

Soil conservation

measure

Run-off

(mm)

Soil loss (t ha-1)

Live-stock based

Maize, rice-bean, oats, pea, guinea grass, tapioca

32.0 Contour bunds, trenches, grassed waterways

20.2 0.10

Forestry A. exbucklandia A. lebbeck, A.auriculiformis

38.0 None 80.1 1.12

Agri-culture

Rice, maize, ginger, radish, groundnut, turmeric, turnip

32.4 Bench terraces, contour bunds, grassed waterways

23.5 0.33

Land use

system

Vegetation cover Avg. slope (%)

Soil conservation

measure

Run-off

(mm)

Soil loss (t ha-1)

Horti-culture

Peach, pear, citrus, guava, ginger, cowpea etc.

53.2 Contour bunds, half moon terraces, bench terraces

37.7 5.85

Agri-horti-silvi-pastoral

Sweet potato, radish, turmeric, ginger, pine apple, Ficus hookeri, Alder, grasses

41.7 As above 11.5 1.58

Shifting cultiva-tion

Crops in mixture 47.0 None 235.0

46.08

Future StrategiesFuture StrategiesReplacement of shifting cultivation with Replacement of shifting cultivation with new, econew, eco--friendly and economically viable friendly and economically viable farming systems.farming systems.Rain water harvestingRain water harvestingWater quality to reduce processing costsWater quality to reduce processing costsDeDe--siltationsiltation of river bedsof river bedsReduction in sediment loadReduction in sediment loadTo control overTo control over--exploitation of ground exploitation of ground waterwaterIncrease in storage capacity of reservoirsIncrease in storage capacity of reservoirsProper regulation of water resourcesProper regulation of water resourcesSuitable lawsSuitable lawsParticipatory approachParticipatory approachPolitical willPolitical will

ConclusionsConclusions

Though NE region has plenty of water Though NE region has plenty of water resources, their misuse and resources, their misuse and mismanagement has resulted in resource mismanagement has resulted in resource degradation.degradation.Harvesting of runHarvesting of run--off and moreoff and more inin--situsituretention of rain water is necessaryretention of rain water is necessaryReplacement of shifting cultivation with Replacement of shifting cultivation with alternate land use systemsalternate land use systemsSmall, cost effective, irrigation projects Small, cost effective, irrigation projects under the prevailing topographical under the prevailing topographical situations. situations.