Low-flows and livelihoods (R8171)

1. Low-flows and livelihoods (R8171)

2. Water • A precious natural resource • Renewable • But very complex to manage due to its • Spatial variability • Temporal variability • Complex dynamic nature RAPID Workshop

3. Spatial & Temporal Variability • The major input of precipitation is variable over the area • In terms of its intensity (rate of application) • In terms of duration (the time it lasts) • The other inputs of weather such as temperature, solar radiation, wind velocity, etc., also vary in space and time and decide the state of the system RAPID Workshop

4. Implications of local fluctuations • For rainfed agriculture • If the monsoon does not reach in time the crop can not be sown • If the interval between next rainfalls is more than what the crop can sustain, the crop shall fail • For domestic water supply • Wells may go dry • Surface water bodies may not fill up • Flows may reduce in the drainage systems RAPID Workshop

5. Possible options • Supplement additional requirements by having additional water • As surface water from local or far-off areas • As ground water from deeper depths • This is where the problems start • Remedy is found out in management through integrated watershed philosophy RAPID Workshop

6. Some of the Implications of uncontrolled interference • Lowering of water table • Water logging • Damage to soil health • Water quality problems • Health hazards • Damage to local ecology • And the list can be unending RAPID Workshop

7. Watershed Philosophy • To alleviate some of the above problems the concept of integrated watershed management was introduced • Watershed is a natural divide which can be used to check the sum total of the natural inputs and outputs and thus the sustainability of the manmade interference • ‘Integrated’ implies incorporation of all possible usage and interest of all stake holders RAPID Workshop

8. Watershed • Every area belongs to a watershed • Nomenclature changes with size • Micro-watershed, watershed, sub-catchment, catchment, sub-basin, basin • Urban areas also follow the same rules • Manmade interference is more • Delhi belongs to a bigger watershed RAPID Workshop

9. National Water Policy • The National Water Policy of India although recommends the integrated watershed management as well as integrated river basin planning and management • However, the implementation is either faulty or totally missing RAPID Workshop

10. Watershed Management Programme • Does not follow sound scientific basis to identify the requirements of the local areas • Does not take into consideration the inter-linkages between the watersheds • Does not have any evaluation process to assess the level of fulfillment of set objectives • Does not have any mechanism of generating alternative scenarios • No mechanism of integration • No way of sustainability assessment RAPID Workshop

11. Unified Framework: the only answer • All the above can be overcome through a unified framework • Shall map the areas starting from micro-watersheds to river basin level • Modelling shall provide the assessment of water quantity in space and time • Local participation and consensus through scenario generation and sustainability assessment RAPID Workshop

12. Unified Framework the only answer…. • The unified framework shall • Provide opportunity for integration of information pertaining to line departments • Act as a tool for legislation for actions taken by stake holders at various levels • Sustainability assessment at local and higher levels RAPID Workshop

13. Corroboration • World Bank: has recommended the similar approach in their water policy on India • KAWAD and APRLP: also recommends that an integrated approach needs to be implemented RAPID Workshop

14. Components of Framework • Model Base • Modelling is a good simulation and planning tool • Provides opportunity for scenario generation • GIS framework • Acts as a pre processor for the modelling • Integrator of information (water, livelihoods,…) • Is a powerful tool for visualization RAPID Workshop

15. R-8171 Projects • Research Funded under the FRP (DFID) • Lead Collaborators: CLUWRR, University of Newcastle Upon Tyne and IIT Delhi • Other Partners: WII, RRL-Bhopal, NIT-Hamirpur, Sandesh (NGO) • Support organisations: CSTE, Shimla; NRDMS, DST • Low Base Flows and Livelihoods in India • Providing scientific backup to the local level planning • GIS based dissemination tools RAPID Workshop

16. Objectives • Provide scientific backup to the local level planning • Create framework on the pilot level • Generate water resource information • Integrate socio-economic information • Develop GIS based dissemination tools RAPID Workshop

17. Biophysical study improved biophysical understanding of forests/low flow linkages Policy & Institutional perceptions study. Tracing of water policies & investigation of institutional practices Dissemination tool. Demonstration of policy based scenarios & evaluation DEVELOPMENT OF A MECHANISM FOR POLICY ACTION RAPID Workshop

18. Pilot watershed - Himachal Pradesh 4000 ha Watershed of Interest – Hamirpur with sub watershed with Drainage RAPID Workshop

19. Watershed of Interest – Madhya Pradesh RAPID Workshop

20. Dudhi ( 60 ha - treated) – Bewas (75 ha - untreated) Watersheds RAPID Workshop

21. What will be the benefits? • Duplication of effort avoided • Increased public awareness and participation • Check on misuse of national resources • Scenario Generation through Scientific Approach • Improved local & national level management of this precious resource RAPID Workshop

22. Thank You RAPID Workshop