Sustainable water resources in India Sustainable water resources in India

Key idea on WJEC Key idea on WJEC specificationspecification

• 1.6 Key question : What are the 1.6 Key question : What are the environmental challenges and environmental challenges and solutions facing India?solutions facing India?

• The causes and consequences of The causes and consequences of sustainable use of water resourcessustainable use of water resources

Case studiesCase studies • Hydro electricity on the Ganges Hydro electricity on the Ganges The Tehri Dam The Tehri Dam

ProjectProject

• Conflict over water resources in Southern IndiaConflict over water resources in Southern India

• Sustainable Water Management and the Sustainable Water Management and the Swajal Swajal

projectproject

• Ganga Action plan to clean up the River Ganges and Ganga Action plan to clean up the River Ganges and

the Yamuna projectthe Yamuna project

• Rainwater Harvesting Rainwater Harvesting

Sustainable Water Management in India :A Sustainable Water Management in India :A perspectiveperspective

• Defining Sustainable Defining Sustainable

Water ManagementWater Management

= The purpose of = The purpose of

Sustainable Water Sustainable Water

Management (SWM) is Management (SWM) is

simply to simply to manage our manage our

water resources while water resources while

taking into account the taking into account the

needs of present and needs of present and

future users future users

Hydro electricity on the Ganges – is it a Hydro electricity on the Ganges – is it a sustainable energy source ?sustainable energy source ?

• ““Indian scientists and engineers has Indian scientists and engineers has

issued an urgent appeal to stop the issued an urgent appeal to stop the

building of a hydro-electricity project on building of a hydro-electricity project on

the Ganges”.the Ganges”. ( bbc news 2005) ( bbc news 2005)

• They say underground tunnels for the dam will They say underground tunnels for the dam will

mean that at least 60km of the river will mean that at least 60km of the river will

disappear. disappear.

The development is called the :The Tehri Dam The development is called the :The Tehri Dam

ProjectProject • The Indian central government The Indian central government

wants to build the 600 wants to build the 600

megawatt power HEP project in megawatt power HEP project in

the Bhagirathi valley in the the Bhagirathi valley in the

Himalayas, Northern India. Himalayas, Northern India.

• But the engineers, But the engineers,

environmentalists and scientists environmentalists and scientists

say the river will be irreparably say the river will be irreparably

harmed. harmed.

• They say that the dam - planned They say that the dam - planned

to be built at the source of the to be built at the source of the

river - threatens its natural flow.river - threatens its natural flow.

Why does India need the HEP project?Why does India need the HEP project?

• India's electricity needs India's electricity needs

have been growing have been growing

rapidly along with its fast rapidly along with its fast

growing economy. growing economy.

• About a quarter of its About a quarter of its

power is provided from power is provided from

hydro-power plants. hydro-power plants.

• The government says The government says

new dams currently new dams currently

under construction will under construction will

go a long way towards go a long way towards

meeting outstanding meeting outstanding

energy needs to reduce energy needs to reduce

dependence on fossil dependence on fossil

fuels. fuels.

• Rapid population growth, Rapid population growth,

urbanization and urbanization and

industrialization will lead to industrialization will lead to

a greater demand for an a greater demand for an

increasingly smaller supply increasingly smaller supply

of water resources in India.of water resources in India.

Policies for sustainable water Policies for sustainable water developmentdevelopment• To address the concerns of the Asian region, the World Water To address the concerns of the Asian region, the World Water

Council formed a Council formed a Regional Water VisionRegional Water Vision 2025 for South Asia. 2025 for South Asia.

• Vision 2025Vision 2025 reflects the current position of South Asia on the reflects the current position of South Asia on the

sustainable development of their water resources: sustainable development of their water resources:

“Poverty in South Asia will be eradicated and living conditions “Poverty in South Asia will be eradicated and living conditions

of all people will be uplifted to sustainable levels of comfort, of all people will be uplifted to sustainable levels of comfort,

health and well-being through co-ordinated and integrated health and well-being through co-ordinated and integrated

development and management of water resources in the development and management of water resources in the

region.”region.”

Fact file on the HEP projectFact file on the HEP project

• The rivers Bhagirathi and Bhilangana rise in the The rivers Bhagirathi and Bhilangana rise in the

Himalayas in north-western Uttar Pradesh and flow Himalayas in north-western Uttar Pradesh and flow

south to the plains as the Ganges.south to the plains as the Ganges.

• As part of a larger plan to trap the waters of the Upper As part of a larger plan to trap the waters of the Upper

Ganges basin, a three billion dollar clay core, rock fill Ganges basin, a three billion dollar clay core, rock fill

dam is being constructed at the confluence of the dam is being constructed at the confluence of the

Bhagirathi and Bhilangana, close to the town of Tehri.Bhagirathi and Bhilangana, close to the town of Tehri.

• The lake created by the dam will extend up to 45 kms The lake created by the dam will extend up to 45 kms

in the Bhagirathi Valley and 25 km in the Bhilangana in the Bhagirathi Valley and 25 km in the Bhilangana

Valley.Valley.

What are the consequences associated with the What are the consequences associated with the

damdam ? ?

• The completed dam will displace 86,500 people The completed dam will displace 86,500 people

• It will submerge several towns, among them the town of It will submerge several towns, among them the town of

TehriTehri

• The region is vulnerable to earthquakes and the dam The region is vulnerable to earthquakes and the dam

may be structurally incapable of withstanding them or may be structurally incapable of withstanding them or

may perhaps even cause themmay perhaps even cause them

• Both the resettlement policies and the structural flaws of Both the resettlement policies and the structural flaws of

the dam have provoked civil protests, lawsuits and the dam have provoked civil protests, lawsuits and

international attention that have repeatedly stalled the international attention that have repeatedly stalled the

project.project.

• ““This is a dam built with our tears” —Sunderlal BahugunaThis is a dam built with our tears” —Sunderlal Bahuguna

• Dam creation Dam creation unsustainabilityunsustainability

• The traditional approach to The traditional approach to

solving competition issues solving competition issues

has been to develop further has been to develop further

water supplies with the water supplies with the

construction of dams, construction of dams,

reservoirs or other reservoirs or other

engineered structures. engineered structures.

•However, even this However, even this

is becoming difficult is becoming difficult

since the remaining since the remaining

water resources are water resources are

no longer easily no longer easily

accessible and accessible and

readily developed at readily developed at

reasonable costs.reasonable costs.

Health and environmental issues unsustainabilty Health and environmental issues unsustainabilty issuesissues

• There is a need to There is a need to combat water supply and combat water supply and sanitation deficiencies, as sanitation deficiencies, as well as a need to prevent well as a need to prevent pollution and manage pollution and manage extreme events such as extreme events such as floods and droughts. floods and droughts.

• Negative impacts of past Negative impacts of past schemes: increased schemes: increased prevalence of prevalence of mosquitoes, waterlogging mosquitoes, waterlogging and salinization of and salinization of agricultural land, agricultural land, intrusion of salt water into intrusion of salt water into aquifers, destruction of aquifers, destruction of wetlands and loss of wetlands and loss of biodiversity.biodiversity.

What are the benefits of the HEP What are the benefits of the HEP scheme?scheme?

Projected benefits:Projected benefits:• Final installed capacity of 2000 MWFinal installed capacity of 2000 MW

• Additional irrigation to 270,000 hectares Additional irrigation to 270,000 hectares

• Stabilization to existing irrigation on Stabilization to existing irrigation on 600,000 hectares 600,000 hectares

• 270 million gallons of drinking water per 270 million gallons of drinking water per day to Uttaranchal, Uttar Pradesh and Delhiday to Uttaranchal, Uttar Pradesh and Delhi

Conflict over water resources in Southern IndiaConflict over water resources in Southern India

• The southern Indian state The southern Indian state

of Tamil Nadu has filed a of Tamil Nadu has filed a

petition in the country's petition in the country's

highest court seeking more highest court seeking more

water from the Cauvery water from the Cauvery

River.River. Tamil Nadu is locked in Tamil Nadu is locked in a bitter dispute with a bitter dispute with neighbouring Karnataka neighbouring Karnataka over sharing water from over sharing water from the Cauvery - which the Cauvery - which flows through both flows through both states.states.

Facts from the BBC 2004 regarding the Facts from the BBC 2004 regarding the conflict in Southern Indiaconflict in Southern India

• ““Political parties and farmers' organisations in Karnataka Political parties and farmers' organisations in Karnataka

have been protesting over the state government's decision have been protesting over the state government's decision

to release water from the river”. to release water from the river”.

• ““Most of the main political parties in the state have Most of the main political parties in the state have

supported the strike call”. supported the strike call”.

• ““Men from the Rapid Action Force, which specialises in Men from the Rapid Action Force, which specialises in

controlling riots, will be deployed at several places on controlling riots, will be deployed at several places on

Thursday, said Bangalore's Police Commissioner HT Thursday, said Bangalore's Police Commissioner HT

Sangliana”Sangliana”

The Swajal project sustainable water The Swajal project sustainable water resource projectresource project

• The The SwajalSwajal Project, in Uttar Pradesh, funded by the World Project, in Uttar Pradesh, funded by the World

Bank, is a Bank, is a rural water supply and environmental sanitation rural water supply and environmental sanitation

development projectdevelopment project which aims to make a difference in which aims to make a difference in

the lives of the the lives of the poor communities of Uttar Pradeshpoor communities of Uttar Pradesh..

• It provides access to water and sanitation facilities to It provides access to water and sanitation facilities to

villages in the hill and Bundelkhand regions. villages in the hill and Bundelkhand regions.

• It increased the living standard in Indian rural areas It increased the living standard in Indian rural areas

through time savings and income opportunities for through time savings and income opportunities for

women, and improved health, hygiene and gender women, and improved health, hygiene and gender

awareness for all.awareness for all.

How are the villagers How are the villagers involvedinvolved ? ?

• Sustainability of the water Sustainability of the water

supply and sanitation system supply and sanitation system

depends on depends on participation of participation of

the villages in all aspects of the villages in all aspects of

the developmentthe development process, process,

including including planningplanning and and

constructionconstruction of the system, of the system,

as well as its as well as its daily operationdaily operation

and and maintenancemaintenance. .

•The The cost sharingcost sharing

component of the project, component of the project,

requires the villages to requires the villages to

carry 10% of the carry 10% of the

construction and 100% of construction and 100% of

the operation and the operation and

maintenance costs, maintenance costs,

renders the full support of renders the full support of

the communities essential the communities essential

to the project’s successto the project’s success. .

Fact file of the projectFact file of the project

• Total no. of villages covered:Total no. of villages covered: 26 26

• Total population covered:Total population covered:33,84633,846

• Total no. households covered:Total no. households covered: 6,507 6,507

• Piped water scheme: executed in 3 villagesPiped water scheme: executed in 3 villages

• Total no. new handTotal no. new hand pumps installedpumps installed 8181

• Total no. handTotal no. hand pumps repairedpumps repaired 45 45

•   Total no. toilets constructed Total no. toilets constructed 425425

• Total no. compost pits constructedTotal no. compost pits constructed 14  14  

Ganga Action plan to clean up the Ganga Action plan to clean up the River Ganges River Ganges

• `̀Ganga Action Plan Ganga Action Plan

bears no fruit'bears no fruit'

By Our Staff Reporter of the By Our Staff Reporter of the

Hindu newspaper:Hindu newspaper:

• ““NEW DELHI, AUG. 27 NEW DELHI, AUG. 27

2004 . Despite heavy 2004 . Despite heavy

investments towards investments towards

cleaning the Ganga, cleaning the Ganga,

pollution levels are just pollution levels are just

as terrifying as before.”as terrifying as before.”

Why was the Ganga Action plan , launched Why was the Ganga Action plan , launched in 1986 was unsustainable ?in 1986 was unsustainable ?

• 1. There was a 1. There was a rise in pollutionrise in pollution despite the despite the

construction of sewage treatment plants at construction of sewage treatment plants at

Varanasi, as a result of poor power supply, faulty Varanasi, as a result of poor power supply, faulty

engineering and maintenance problems.engineering and maintenance problems.

• 2. According to environmentalists, about 90 per 2. According to environmentalists, about 90 per

cent of pollution into the river is caused by cent of pollution into the river is caused by sewage sewage

generationgeneration while only about 5 to 6 per cent can be while only about 5 to 6 per cent can be

blamed on bathing and other activities. "While the blamed on bathing and other activities. "While the

real sources of pollution -- sewage -- continues to real sources of pollution -- sewage -- continues to

flow into the river…flow into the river…

• 3. At 3. At Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh's Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh's

industrial hub, tanneriesindustrial hub, tanneries

regularly contaminate the regularly contaminate the

Ganga with chrome, and yet Ganga with chrome, and yet

chrome treatment plants set chrome treatment plants set

up by the Government lie up by the Government lie

unused.unused.

• 4. 250 million litres of sewage 4. 250 million litres of sewage

is produced from Allahabad is produced from Allahabad

every day, but the city has the every day, but the city has the

capacity to treat only 100 capacity to treat only 100

million litres before it spills million litres before it spills

into the river.into the river.

Rainwater HarvestingRainwater Harvesting• Rainwater harvesting is the process of collecting, Rainwater harvesting is the process of collecting,

filtering and storing water from roof tops, paved filtering and storing water from roof tops, paved

and unpaved areas for multiple uses. and unpaved areas for multiple uses.

• The harvested water can also be used for The harvested water can also be used for

drinking after treatment. The surplus water after drinking after treatment. The surplus water after

usage can be used for recharging ground water usage can be used for recharging ground water

aquifers.aquifers.

Balisana Village, Patan Balisana Village, Patan District, Gujarat Rainwater harvesting projectDistrict, Gujarat Rainwater harvesting project

• The crops they grow are laden with traces The crops they grow are laden with traces of fluoride. At present, almost all of the of fluoride. At present, almost all of the villagers from early to middle aged villagers from early to middle aged population are suffering from fluorosis or population are suffering from fluorosis or other fluoride related diseases. Six years other fluoride related diseases. Six years back, the villagers started a community back, the villagers started a community drive to solve the crisis, with help from drive to solve the crisis, with help from Ahmedabad-based non governmental Ahmedabad-based non governmental organisation, UTTHAN. The villagers started organisation, UTTHAN. The villagers started to desilt a 3.05 metre (m) long canal to desilt a 3.05 metre (m) long canal through which they diverted rainwater to a through which they diverted rainwater to a 300-year-old tank.300-year-old tank.

• They hope to solve this problem by They hope to solve this problem by regularly recharging the groundwater regularly recharging the groundwater table with rainwater. The villagers table with rainwater. The villagers have evolved laws to protect the have evolved laws to protect the resource like, no new tube wells will resource like, no new tube wells will be dug and water from the well will be dug and water from the well will be first used for drinking purposes be first used for drinking purposes and then can be used for irrigation. and then can be used for irrigation.

Yamuna project, New DelhiYamuna project, New Delhi

• It’s a Rs.15-billion project to decrease the It’s a Rs.15-billion project to decrease the

levels of pollution in the Yamuna river by levels of pollution in the Yamuna river by

trapping pollutants at major sewage trapping pollutants at major sewage

drains.drains.

• With the aim that only clean water from With the aim that only clean water from

the entire city flows into the river the entire city flows into the river

Problems ?Problems ?

• But in July 2009 the government said the water But in July 2009 the government said the water

quality of the Yamuna river has not shown quality of the Yamuna river has not shown

“desired improvement” “desired improvement”

• This was due to a large gap between the This was due to a large gap between the

demand and availability of sewage treatment demand and availability of sewage treatment

capacity and lack of fresh water in the river.” capacity and lack of fresh water in the river.”

Thanks to the following people Thanks to the following people for the imagesfor the images

• www.flickr.comwww.flickr.com

• www.uttranchaltourism.blogsplot.cowww.uttranchaltourism.blogsplot.comm

• www.hps.scot.nhs.ukwww.hps.scot.nhs.uk