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ENVIRONMENTAL FLOWS: How much water must flow in a river?

ENVIRONMENTAL FLOWS: How much water must flow in a river?. Ravi Chopra People’s Science Institute. Kashyapa’s Wisdom - I. Origins of rivers are sacred. Build a temple at the site. There must be minimum obstruction to the flow of a river (river as an ecosystem). Kashyapa’s Wisdom - II.

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ENVIRONMENTAL FLOWS: How much water must flow in a river?

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  1. ENVIRONMENTAL FLOWS: How much water must flow in a river? Ravi Chopra People’s Science Institute

  2. Kashyapa’s Wisdom - I • Origins of rivers are sacred. Build a temple at the site. • There must be minimum obstruction to the flow of a river (river as an ecosystem).

  3. Kashyapa’s Wisdom - II • Forests & rivers have a symbiotic relationship. Harvest water in forests. • Withdraw only as much water as you need. (Conserves flows & quality) • Every community can contribute to the conservation of water according to its abilities.

  4. Modern Indian Engineers’ Approach • Any water flowing to the sea is water wasted. • Therefore minimum flow (10% of lean season). Before After

  5. Consequences of Modern Approach - I ManeriBhali – I on R. Bhagirathi Before After

  6. ManeriBhali – II on R. Bhagirathi

  7. Ichari Dam on the Tons River Downstream of Ichari Dam

  8. Consequences of Modern Approach - II % dried by multiple projects * From Gaumukh to Dharasu †This is only the tunnel length. The river length affected will be longer.

  9. New Wisdom : Environmental Flows • A river is an ecosystem “with a unique structure and functions, with a specific history and capable of self-generated dynamic behaviour.” (Etymology of Ganga: from the Sanskrit root ‘gam’ – that which moves) • River has the first right to its water. We should take only what the river can spare. • Environmental flows are a set of flows that mimic the natural flows. • Brisbane Declaration: “EF describe the quantity, quality and timing of water flows required to sustain fresh water and estuarine ecosystems and the human livelihoods and well-being that depend on these ecosystems. • Ecological and social livelihoods components.

  10. E-Flows Methods, Desktop Models- Ia Source: Smakhtin & Anputhas, IWMI, Research Report, 107

  11. E-Flows Methods, Desktop Models- Ib Source: Smakhtin & Anputhas, IWMI, Research Report, 107 • Requires long term flow data but is quick and easy. Of great practical usefor dam operations.

  12. E-Flows Methods- II

  13. Cultural Flows - I fo’oL; ekrj% loZ loZ’pso egkQyk% A bR;srk lfjr% jktu~ lek[;krk ;FkkLe`fr AA “O king! Rivers are mothers of the world; all of them bestow great rewards. I have enumerated as many as my memory enables me to.” -- Mahabharat, Bhishma Parva, Ch 9, verses 37/38

  14. Cultural Flows - II • People have developed traditions – imageries, rituals and festivals that reflect the natural flow rhythms. • Spiritual values and folklore , e.g., appearance or sound, also reflect varying levels of river flows. • Such cultural flows have to be quantified to include the needs of people who populate the cultural basins of deified rivers.

  15. First such study by PSI for R. Ganga as part of WWF-India’s Living Ganga Programme. • Between Gangotri and Kanpur, 35-65% of the natural flows during the monsoon season and 18-77% of the lean season flows. • Closely match requirements for natural functions. Cultural Flows Determination R. Ganga at Bithoor near Kanpur

  16. Baby Steps towards Rational EF • WQAA (2007): 2.5% of the annual average flow at 75% dependability should be provided as a minimum flow. (WG to advise WQAA) • HLEG (2008-09): 0.86cumec  1 cumec to 3cumecs  4cumecs  16 cumecs  entire low flow season average 21 to 22cumecs • HP: 15% of the seasonal average (?) • WII (2011-12): Minimum EF 14.5% of MSR in no fish zone to 21.8% of MSR in Mahseer and Snow Trout zones

  17. Next Steps • VO’s roles: Educate people, decision-makers about EF; Use FDC method – data from EIA reports, DPRs; Push for acceptance of EF concept; Introduction of EF in universities’ curricula. • Upper reaches of most rivers have high wilderness value and offer livelihoods possibilities . • Legislation required to protect such wilderness and scenic stretches. • 135km Gaumukh to Uttarkashi eco-sensitive area and declaration (2004) of Tirthan river in HP as a wild river are important steps.

  18. Thank You Web : www.peoplesscienceinstitute.org Mail : psiddoon@gmail.com Phone : +91 135 2763649 Fax : +91 135 2763368 653, Indira Nagar Dehra Doon - 248 006 Uttarakhand INDIA

  19. Hydropower : Contested Development (I) 70% of India's hydropower potential is in the Himalayan region

  20. Hydropower : Contested Development (II) Every state is rushing to earn revenue from hydropower

  21. Hydropower : Contested Development (IV) A diversion dam is proposed every 10 to 20 km on all major rivers.

  22. River Flows • Shrinking glaciers, loss of year round flows and construction of HEPs threaten river flows • Hence reviving subsurface flows, minimizing short and long range threats to glaciers and environmental flows d/s of dams are essential.

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