Challenges in the Integrated Water Resources Management in Kerala

Transcription

1 Challenges in the Integrated Water Resources Management in Kerala Shadananan K. Nair Centre for Earth Research & Environment Management/ Cochin University of Science & Technology India

2 Managing water resources becomes increasingly challenging and complicated even in heavy rainfall zones: Changes in spatial & temporal distribution of rainfall Uneven distribution of water resources Human impact Changing Government policies Administrative/legal issues Technical/financial constraints State of Kerala, with >3000mm rainfall and good network of rivers faces serious seasonal water shortage when more than 75% rainwater flows into the Sea, unutilised

3 Kerala Kerala: - small state in the SW corner of India 8º30' - 12º30' N & 75 º15' - 77 º 45' E Length: > 600Km, width: 35 to 120Km Area Km2 (1.18% of India) Population (2001) > 32M (3.43%) of India Of this, 27% is urban Decadal growth rate of population % Providing reliable water to this population is a difficult task

4 Three geographical divisions: 1. High lands Western Ghats Mountain: ~900m Heavy rainfall: 250 to 500 cm, south to north All rivers originate here and flow fast westwards Plantation zone Low density of population 2. Midlands - between W Ghats and W coast: 8 to 75 m Rainfall: 200 to 400 cm, south to north Undulating hills and valleys, rich cultivation area 3. The low lands - coastal area: < 8m Rainfall > 200 to 350 cm Made up of river deltas and continuous chain of lagoons and backwaters Area ~ 10% of the State, but 25% population lives here

5 State is rich in water resources: 3000 to 7000mm rainfall from monsoons&thunderstorms 44 rivers - average length 80Km & watershed 700Km2, their tributaries, canals, lakes, ponds etc 3 of the 18 designated wetlands of India Rivers entirely monsoon-fed, some of them practically turn into rivulets in summer In spite of this, Kerala faces serious seasonal shortage of reliable water due to: Irregularities in temporal and spatial distribution of rainfall Typical topography - steep slope permits water to flow fast to Sea before harnessed Improper water resources conservation & management Extensive land and water degradation

6 Rainfall undergoes wide interannual fluctuations: High rainfall seasonality wasteful runoff during monsoons and low runoff and water shortage in pre-monsoon months less serious water shortages in the years with good pre-monsoon rainfall from local systems compared to heavy and highly seasonal rainfall years High rainfall intensity - floods, landslides, erosion and sedimentation in reservoirs and rivers Studies indicate decreasing trend in rainfall Failure in NE monsoon affects groundwater recharge Increasing trend in temp:> 40 C in some places

7 Increase in population and change in climate have impact on water availability: Present annual per capita availability of the surplus water from precipitation is 2503m3 With the current trends in population and climate, availability will fall to 1470m3 by year 2025 Seasonal water deficiencies show increasing trend in all districts Acute water shortage during non-rainy months in many parts by year 2025

8 Degradation Surface/groundwater resources highly contaminated Inflow of untreated domestic/industrial effluents into canals and rivers Industries and cities lack efficient water treatment system Industries are near thickly populated riversides Excessive use of pesticides and fertilizers in farms Water contamination leads to serious health issues, even genetic disorder

9 Human interference : - seven once perennial rivers became seasonal in last century Uncontrolled sand quarrying in rivers/watersheds: leads to lowering of water table and erosion of riverbanks depletion in groundwater level by ~ 1 metre in 2 decades Farming in riverbanks/dry riverbeds in dry season: bank erosion and sedimentation in rivers Deforestation and plantation in W Ghats: landslides and floods reduces the storage capacity of soil reduces storage capacity of reservoirs soil erosion in watersheds and sedimentation in rivers reduces summer flow in rivers

10 Encroachment into water bodies:- Wetlands, paddy fields and ponds are fast vanishing special economic zones and housing colonies, violating existing laws: Canals and ponds were neglected as the farming area shrunk - various social/political developments irreparable damage to the eco-system and environment affects natural water flow and groundwater recharge worsens flood conditions worsens water crisis

11 Urban water management becomes complicated: - Expanding boundaries and large migration to cities: Decreasing rural employment opportunities Changing social status Diversion from traditional jobs Cities not well planned to accommodate large population - water supply becomes inadequate and often interrupted Improper sewage systems and lack of efficient treatment mechanism - affect availability of safe water and creates serious health issues Groundwater in major towns/cities highly contaminated

12 Overuse/misuse of surface / ground water Overdraft of groundwater invites salinity intrusion far inland Number of deep bore wells terribly increases Tremendous quantity of water lost for non-domestic purposes water used daily by an upper class family is sufficient for month for a lower/middle class family Theft/illegal diversion of water Overirrigation Tremendous loss of water in conveyance system - no proper maintenance

13 Inefficiency of administrative/institutional mechanism Inefficiency in planning and management Slow Government machinery Non-cooperating government departments Lack of finance and diversion of funds High level of corruption: % of allotted funds actually spent for domestic connection and maintenance, consumers have to bribe Failure in projects water in the entire wetlands area of Central Kerala no more potable Delay in projects even for decades political/legal/ financial/labour problems waste of money, purpose not served

14 Failure in projects: The Thannermukkam project aimed at: Multiplying rice production in the wetlands by: Evacuating flood water into Sea through spillway Controlling saline water intrusion by barrage Project became a failure due to technical/ administrative/political reasons Disputes over opening/closing regulators Pollutants concentrates water in the Entire region unfit for use

15 Local bodies do not respect Government order and ignore warning of Pollution Control Board Industries continue to pollute and overuse so influential to escape from legal action Rules to prevent encroachment not properly implemented deliberately put loopholes, immoral relationship of the land mafia and gravel mafia with officials and politicians Objectives of State Water Policy adopted in 1992 not realised only 54% rural and 78% urban comes under water supply scheme

16 Challenges ahead: Rapid industrialisation overuses by industries and change in allocation priorities lead to disputes Intensive agricultural development to maintain food security Kerala produces only 30% of its food grain requirements Rise in population - more than 20% population working outside-economic expansion/industrial development or so of the soil argument may persuade/force them to return Booming real estate business illegal money invested on land more encroachment into water bodies Promotion of tourism pollute rivers and backwaters

17 New roads block waterways: affect water quality, increases flood risk. Growing economic imbalance and fast changing life style: 40% water is consumed by 10 % population, for millions of poor, timely availability of safe water is far away from reality Changing climate-rainfall seasonality/extremes: water in thickly populated coastal zone under threat from sea level variation and storm surges Interstate water disputes present disputes may worsen or new disputes may arise due to climate change and national river linking project Worsening domestic disputes diversion of rivers and change in allocation priorities

18 Water related problems in Kerala are multi-faceted - involves geographical/social/political/ environmental/scientific/technical factors Measures to protect topsoil / increase infiltration: only 7% rainwater infiltrates - steep slopes Protection of local water bodies: Numerous wells (> than 250/Km2) and ponds now abandoned Rainwater harvesting: from domestic level, revive traditional cheap and eco friendly methods Control of deep bore wells Spillways/barrages near river mouth: to solve salinity problems in lower reaches of rivers Restore capacity of dams, more minor dams Ensure sustainability in sand quarrying - quarrying is necessary to maintain flow in some rivers

19 Modification of existing rules, avoiding loopholes, to prevent degradation of water resources Public & NGO participation in maintaining water quality at local level Action plan to save rivers Public awareness on water related problems Optimum and proper use of water for irrigation modification in agricultural sector Approach to water disputes with a positive attitude without regional/political interests Private sector participation in development projects and distribution with strict Government control Rational pricing for water use tax for overuse and penalty for misuse free for the poor Appropriate policy to ensure efficient and equitable allocation of water for different sectors/needs

20 Gap between demand and availability of reliable water in Kerala is widening fast Current utilisation of water for various purposes is less than 10% of the total rainfall Utilising another 5% can solve water problems Integrated water management is vital to maintain securities in food, water and energy, to improve public health, to maintain the ecosystems and to settle social issues related to water State needs a leadership with strong and impartial political will