GROUNDWATER IRRIGATION AND ITS IMPACT ON HYDROLOGY AND MORPHOLOGY

Transcription

1 CHAPTER - FIVE GROUNDWATER IRRIGATION AND ITS IMPACT ON HYDROLOGY AND MORPHOLOGY 5.0 INTRODUCTION Murshidabad District is one of the worst affected areas of arsenic contamination in groundwater in the world. The other affected areas are Malda, Nadia, and North and South 24 Parganas districts of West Bengal. According to the water test report of Public Health Engineering Department in Murshidabad District 28,357 water samples have arsenic concentration above 0.05 mg/l in groundwater. 22 out of 26 blocks have arsenic concentration 9 (Samaddar and Subbarao, 2007). This district is also one of the worst affected areas in the world by arsenicosis. 6 Abhijit Mukherjee et. al., 2007 had documented the groundwater flow and a regional- scale hydrostratigraphy for a ~ 21,000 km 2 area of the arsenic affected districts of West Bengal. These districts include Murshidabad District, Nadia, North 24- Parganas and South 24- Parganas (including Kolkata). Eight 22- layer model scenarios of regional groundwater flow were developed based on the observed topography, seasonal conditions and inferred hydrostratigraphy. A comparative picture is drawn between the existence of seasonally variable, regional north- south flow across the basin prior to the onset of extensive pumping and severe pumping, therefore, distorting the flow pattern, inducing high vertical hydraulic gradients across wide cones of depression after 1970 s, a landmark period of Green Revolution. Downward flows of irrigational return flow and inflow from rivers have resulted in arsenic contamination in shallow ground water. Previously safe aquifers appear to have contaminated by a combination of mechanical mixing and chemical equilibrium. 106

2 5.1 FACTS AND FINDINGS ABOUT ARSENIC IN GROUNDWATER IN THE DISTRICT Stuben et.al. 13 (2003) had made a study in a small watershed at and around Berhampore block in bagri region of Murshidabad District. Groundwater from wells and the main rivers crossing the area (Bhagirathi and Gobra) have been sampled in the north of Murshidabad District covering an area about 200 square kilometers. The concentration of major cations including Ca, Mg, K, Na and Fe were measured. Fluoride, Cl -, NO - 3 and SO -2 4 concentration were also determined. According to the relative molar portion of the dissolved ionic species, all samples are of Ca HCO 3 type. River and groundwater samples are similar in their main hydro-geochemical compositions, but the total amount of dissolved solids in river water is slightly lower in Bhagirathi about 300 mg/l, Gobra about 500 mg/l and ground water is 700 mg/l symptomatic of anthropogenic interference into the groundwater through soil due to infiltrating, surface run-off. In this chapter the geo-chemical mechanism of arsenic contamination in groundwater has been discussed, and emphasis on the effect of changing land-use on groundwater since Green Revolution. Mobilization of As (arsenic) in groundwater is mainly governed by low temperature geochemical processes that involve leaching of naturally occurring ores. Accumulation of As (arsenic) in soil and groundwater especially under anoxic conditions, due to anthropogenic input or human activity (Bowell et. al., 1994; Azcue et. al., 1995; Mariner et. al., 1997; Chakraborty et. al., 1998; Ashley and Lottermoser, 1999; Madhavan and Subramaniam, 2000; Stuben et.al in 9 Stuben et.al. 2003). According to Mallick and Rajagopal, 1996; Das et.al, 1996; Mandal et.al. 1996; Chowdhury et. al.; 1999) arsenic is released to the groundwater from sulfides mostly pyrite which were oxidized primarily due to water level drawn down as a consequence of intensive irrigation and groundwater exploitation. A group of scientist opines that arsenic is released by the oxidation of pyrite or arseno-pyrite following the lowering of water ground water level. The other view is that arsenic is released due to desorption from or reductive dissolution of ferric oxy-hydroxide in reducing aquifer in environment (KMPC, 2006). The widely accepted hypothesis by a group of researchers from the Division of Land and Water Resources, Royal Institute of Technology, 107

3 Sweden is, arsenic is fixed on Fe-oxyhydroxides (FeOOH). Fe-oxyhydroxides scavenges and immobilized arsenic in an aerated aquatic system but in the presence of organic material and as a released; again due to the microbial mediated reductive dissolution of Fe-oxyhydroxides arsenic is released from such Fe- oxyhydroxides under reducing condition. The flooding method of irrigation gradually sealed the aquifer from diffusion of oxygen. A.K. Singh, (2006) 11 has explained the organo-arsenic cycles in sediments with a flow diagram. He had explained how natural arsenic rises in quantity in groundwater due to anthropogenic factor. Figure no.: 5.i Organo-arsenic cycles in sediments (after Singh A.K., 2006) Concern has been raised by Bangladeshi and international scientist about elevated levels of arsenic in Bengali food particularly in rice grain cultivation. The highest level of As (arsenic) in the southwest of Bangladesh (district -Nawabganj, 108

4 Faridpur, Rajbari and Gopalganj) share a common international boundary with Murshidabad District of West Bengal therefore the soil and aquifer are quite similar. In the rice survey both wet season crop aman and dry season crop boro were sampled and observed. 8 Roy Chowdhury et.al., 2002, surveyed Domkal blocks in Murshidabad District where the arsenic level is above 0.05 mg/l in many places. According to the study many million cubic meter of groundwater is extracted daily by shallow big diameter tubewells for agricultural irrigation. The mean concentration of As is 10.7 mg/kg, Fe is 7860 mg/kg and Mg is 733 mg/kg in higher side of agricultural land soils compared to the fallow land soils and lower sides of the agricultural land soils. This arsenic indirectly gets included in the daily food chain of the common people. Those consume less protein in their daily food habit are worse affected by intestinal problems. Table no. 4.xvi shows the case study of arsenic contamination in food items in Domkal and Jalangi block of Murshidbad District in a report by The National Institute of Health Sciences, Japan, published in journal of Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), Table no: 5.i Mean concentration of arsenic in food items in Domkal, Jalangi block. Species As concentration micron/gram Garlic 0.04 Coriander Tumeric 0.27 to 0.43 Source: Roy Chowdhury et.al. 2002, pp: Groundwater occurs under unconfined conditions particularly in the bagri region of Murshidabad District. The rarh region shares partly unconfined and partly semi-confined aquifer condition. The unconfined aquifer occurs along the tectonic troughs through which the major rivers flow. Arsenic gets contaminated within meters intermediate aquifer within the meander belt of the upper deltaic plain. The aquifer in the West Bengal part of the basin probably belong to a) Late Pleistocene to Holocene Ganges sediments and b) Early to Middle Pleistocene coastal and moribundh 109

5 Ganges delta deep aquifers composed of stacked, main- channel, medium to coarse sands at depths more than 130 m. Mukherjee, et. al. (2007), had tried to explain the flow and mechanism of groundwater due to irrigation since the introduction of green revolution. The extensive exploitation of groundwater after 1970 s in the up gradient of mature delta, flushes and dilutes the arsenic present at very slow rate. The regional flow occurs within the major system from north to south down- gradient during the dry season probably due to the low topographic gradient (~0.1 m/km). Very frequent pumping centers in the agricultural fields and aquifer architectures dictated the hydraulic gradient of the study area. The absence of continuous confining layers, pumping induces between relatively shallower and deeper groundwater, which may lead to arsenic enriched water to spread downward. The arsenic contaminated water when spread over the land surface partially gets accumulated in crops and partially re-circulate in to the sub surface via enhanced recharge. This mechanism of repeated extraction and recharging may worsen the scenario of Murshidabad District in future. Mukherjee (2006), has opined that the smaller rivers in the study area were found to be mostly gaining from groundwater discharge. Presumably the groundwater discharge to rivers has decreased because of pumping by deep tubewells and shallow tubewells. As a consequence, the outflow from the shallow aquifers may have impacted the chemistry of smaller rivers. River Bhairab, Dwarka, Pagla, Mayurakhi and many other rivers may have the same story. Mineralogical investigations have revealed that arsenic occurs in the silty clay as well as in the sandy layers as coating on mineral grains. Therefore, it can be said that more silting of river beds and surface water bodies, more will be the rate of concentration of arsenic in ground water. Such hydromorphological problem directly influences the water quality and food chain of the entire population. Bhattacharya et.al. 4 (1997), indicated that the major ions like calcium; magnesium and bicarbonate with elevated contents of iron, phosphate and arsenic get contaminated with water during pumping. The alluvium near the river is sandier and periodic fluviatile action keeps the alluvium stratified. There is a deposition of coarse sand in river borne materials along 110

6 with plant cells and other organic materials cells which may contain considerable amount of arsenic and other toxic elements. During the course of time arsenic elements get released in the reducing environment by the process of bio-methylation and get shelter within silty and clayey sediments. Studies done by Bhattacharya et.al. (1997), Nickson et.al. (1998) put forward the hypothesis that the burial of sediments rich in organic matter led to strongly reducing conditions in groundwater aquifer, which is facilitated by high water table, fine-grained surface layers and widely practiced wetland paddy cultivation, as well as microbial oxidation of sedimentary organic matter, depleting thereby the dissolved oxygen in groundwater. Arsenic is released when external addition of arsenic are reduced in anoxic groundwater and hence driven by concentrations of sedimentary organic matter. This hypothesis somewhat matches with A.K. Singh s organo-arsenic cycles in sediments (2006). Arsenic pollution is now gradually becoming a disaster for Murshidabad District and besides other districts of West Bengal like North and South 24- Parganas. This soilwater and species anomaly has suddenly appeared into the limelight after 1980 s. Probably it had started from the use of groundwater irrigation since 1970 s otherwise As (arsenic) in groundwater report was insignificant in literatures. Proper knowledge of aquifer of the district can help in planning about the use of water in agricultural and non-agricultural sector. 5.2 AQUIFER OF MURSHIDABAD DISTRICT. A lithographic model on bagri region of West Bengal was developed by A. Mukherjee, (2007) published in Hydrogeology Journal; describe a detail about the spatial trends in aquifer thickness and spatial variability. In Murshidabad District a thick clay deposit covers the area at a depth of ~300 m below mean sea level (MSL). From west to east the blocks Raghunathganj-II, Lalgola, Bhagawangola I and II and Raninagar-II in the bagri region of Murshidabad District have sand layers at the top and extends near the depth of about m. Below this unconfined aquifer is a basal clay aquitard extending from ~80 m to more than 300 m in the west and divide in to 111

7 multiple layers toward the east. Near Raninagar-II, the upper clay layer is very thin and mostly replaced by a sandy clay horizon, which lies between thick sand layers. In west this thick aquitard extends nearly to Beldanga. The noteworthy thing about this area is the presence of isolated aquifers at depths of ~200 to 230m and ~ 240 to 265m extending from Bhagawangola to Berhampore through Murshidabad District Jiaganj with the possibility of southward extension. These isolated aquifers have water chemistry distinct from the shallower aquifer (Mukherjee, 2006; Mukherjee and Fryar, 2007 in Mukherjee et.al, 2007). In the rarh region of Murshidabad District the groundwater aquifer arrangement is somewhat different from the bagri region. 14 Swadesh Pal and Osondu C. Akoma in Ethiopian journal of Environmental studies and Management (vol. 2 no. 3, 2009) has discussed in details about the groundwater level and seasonal variation around Hizal wetland. The groundwater table in the pre-monsoon period ranges from m to m. Water table depth is quite high in Mahalandi I GramPanchayet of Kandi Block and Kandi Municipalty is m and m respectively. Around Hizal Wet Land area the ground water table is unexpectedly low about 19.20m m. The standard deviation value and the co-efficient of variation of ground water table is 0.87 and 4.32% respectively which indicates a fair degree of uniformity of groundwater table depth. In the monsoon period the spatial groundwater table depth value ranges from m to m. Maximum values were recorded near Nabagram is m. Around Hizal area the groundwater table depth is about m. Standard Deviation Value is 0.98 and the co-efficient of variation of ground water table is 8.12%. These results again reveal the spatial level of consistencies is quite scarce in comparison to the pre- monsoon season. There is a wide range of water table fluctuation in rarh area of Murshidabad District. The relationship between the recharge and discharge due to groundwater lifting is a fact of intimate debate. The depth of the water table is usually deepest during the month of May and thereby a steady decline of ground water table during summer due to massive drafting of water. The rainfall recharge relationship is not very strong where r = to During monsoon again the water level rises up from June to October. 112

8 Researchers said that probably Murshidabad District aquitard had formed due to a major shift in the delta building process of the Ganges Brahmaputra. The top surface of the Murshidabad District aquitard deepens toward east and south, it can be vertically traced to a depth of at least 300 meters. Map drawn by Mukherjee et. al showed the meteorological stations in and around the study area whose data were used in contouring the zonal meteoric potential recharge (PR) used in the model. In Murshidabad District the total number of ground water pumping tube- well including both deep tube well and shallow tube wells are (approx) nos. in If the rate of pumping is 10 m 3 /h for 12 hours a day then the total water drafting is m 3 /day (approx) in Murshidabad District. The cones of depression expand during the pre monsoon with the formation of prominent groundwater lows in Central Murshidabad District i.e. Murshidabad District- Jiaganj, Berhampore, Hariharpara and Domkal blocks whereas the ground water mounds in northern Murshidabad District near Jangipur and Bhagawangola. In Figure no.5.ii, the recharge in the pre- monsoon season ranges from.15 to 0.25 mm/d in mature part of the Bengal Delta (Murshidabad District, Nadia and North 24 parganas district) in the pre- monsoon period. In the post monsoon season the ground water recharge is mainly in the lower part of Bengal Delta. Therefore, we can presume that rain water harvesting in the mature delta can boost up the groundwater recharge and also help in post-monsoon season from lowering of water table. The models proposed by researchers predict that the ground water drafting will exceed the recharge within 2011 to 2021 barely discernible in Murshidabad District also (see figure no. 5.iii). 113

9 Figure no.: 5.ii Modeled map of recharge potential by Mukherjee et. al

10 Figure no.: 5.iii Showing the groundwater level in the bagri region of Murshidabad District and other district of West Bengal before the onset of Green Revolution, in the post Green Revolution period and projected 2021.( after Mukherjee et. al. 2007) The modeled ground water level maps after Abhijit Mukherjee, Alan E. Fryar, Paul D. Howell, 2007 showed (a) pre-monsoon ground water level before 1970 s, premonsoon during 2001, 2011 and projected pre monsoon (b) Modeled groundwater level maps obtained from post-monsoon before 1970 s and post monsoon of 2001.The bold blue lines indicate the major rivers in the area. 115

11 Flow in an unconfined aquifer is modeled using the linearized Boussinesq equation, which is given by: δh / δt= Kh* /S * δ 2 h / δ X 2 S is the specific yield, K is the saturated hydraulic conductivity, h is the height of the water table in the unconfined aquifer, h* is an average height of water table, X is the distance from the stream in the horizontal plane, and t is time. Central Groundwater Board had reported the latest state of fresh water that, with numbers of shallow tube wells and 588 deep tube wells irrigated sq. km. and sq km. respectively in Surface flow shares only sq km area irrigation with 1808 number of surface flow and 1758 number of river lift irrigated only sq km in Murshidabad District. Therefore, actual irrigated area by groundwater is sq km. and by surface is sq km. For last 10 years the ground water level is declining. The rate decline is 0.01 to 0.4 meters/ year and rising trend is 0.01 to 0.18 m/year. The groundwater resource replenishment is mcm while the gross annual groundwater draft is mcm (CGWB, 2007). 5.3 CHANGING LANDUSE AND ITS IMPACT- A CRITICAL APPRAISAL To ascertain how with the changing landuse had caused the hydromorphological problems water samples from shallow tubewell (field survey) was undertaken (analysis done in the sixth chapter). Questions were asked to local people about their perception regarding water underground. Knowledge, availability and practice of groundwater utilization since the introduction of HYV seed and agricultural engineering were asked. About 600 peoples were interacted in the bagri and rarh region of Murshidabad District from 2010 to Two phases of land use change was observed in Murshidabad District in the post Green Revolution period. 116

12 5.3(a) FIRST PHASE After land ceiling, in early 1980 s the fallow land, and one cropping lands were converted into multiple cropping land (almost 3 to 4 time) in a year with the help of assured groundwater irrigation, HYV seed and chemical fertilizers. Peasants grew subsistent food and also earned money from agricultural surplus. Orchards, comparatively high relief cultivated land; road side cultivated land was converted partially or entirely into settlement with improvement of accessibility. For earning cash many traditional varieties of paddy cultivation were stopped, vegetable, wheat, mustard cultivation started instead. Boro paddy was becoming popular due to high rate of production. 10 Sen, J. (1988) has discussed that during only three mouzas in the bagri region cultivated boro paddy. By the middle of almost the entire district cultivate the boro rice which has brought piece meal to some blocks such as Sagardighi, Burwan. The poor farmers irrigated their land with easy available groundwater resource with the traditional knowledge and practice of nursing the crops. Dulal Das, school peon of Jindighi High school of Sagardighi block belong to a farmer s family. He cultivate his hierarchical land, said that the aus rice was insufficient to feed the family earlier But with the introduction of boro cultivation, they are now food surplus family more over earns some cash by selling the high yielding variety of paddy. Dayarampur mouza of Jalangi Block cultivate the boro paddy due to its high yield which can feed the large family size of this area, explained by Majid Sk, a local amin. Although the soil quality does not permit such thirsty crop but there is no other alternative staple food for the Bengali population. Boro rice had somehow meet the food crisis of Murshidabad District, hence the entire West Bengal. But the maximum use of groundwater irrigation during the lean season (February to May) has made this crop cultivation uneconomical and a question arises about the feasibility of groundwater irrigation. By 1990 the sugarcane cultivation had reduced, pulses in the riverine tracts had reduced, instead crops such as dhania, kalazira, potato, vegetable, wheat, boro rice and jute increased. 117

13 Table no: 5.ii CROP CALENDER OF JALANGI BLOCK MONTH NAME OF THE CROP JANUARY FEBRUARY MARCH APRIL MAY JUNE JULY AUGUST SEPTEMBER OCTOBER NOVEMBER DECEMBER Boro paddy(s), Rabi chili(h) Gram(h), lentil(h), pea(h), lathyrus(h), rabi groundnut(h),sugarcane(h),ginger(h), turmeric(h), summer vegetables like brinjal, ladies finger, cucumber(s), sunflower(h). Wheat (h), summer til(s), linseed (h), rapeseed-mustard (h), potato (h), amaranth(s), water melon(s), pumpkin(s). Boro paddy(s), jute(s), summer vegetable like brinjal, ladies finger(s), and amaranth. Bhadoi chili(s), turmeric(s), ginger (s) summer mung(h). Aus paddy(s), red gram(s), summer til(h). Summer vegetable like brinjal, ladies finger, amaranth(h), summer maize(h). Aman paddy(s), summer maskalai(s), winter vegetable like cole crops, carrot, bit,etc.(s) Jute(h), summer chili(h), betel (p) Aus paddy (h),pea(s), lathyrus(s), rape-mustard(s). Aman paddy(h), summer maskalai(h), wheat(s), red gram(h), lentil(s), linseed(s), rabi groundnut(s), potato(p), rabi chili(s), winter vegetable like cole crops, carrot, bit etc(h). Gram(s), sugarcane (p). Note: Source: p- planting, s-seed sowing, h- harvest. Compiled by the author from data collected Principle Agricultural Office, Jalangi Block, Murshidabad District. 118

14 Source: Table no: 5.iii Crop coverage of Jalangi Block (in hectares) Crop Aus Paddy Aman Paddy Boro Paddy Mustard Wheat Sugarcane Lentil Rabi Vegetable Linseed Gram Lathyrus Groundnut Sesame Jute Potato Summer vegetable Turmeric Compiled by the author from data collected Principle Agricultural Office, Jalangi Block, Murshidabad District. Continuous discourage from block agriculture office has reduced boro paddy cultivation in few areas of Murshidabad District for past three years but more publicity and alternative crop is necessary. Table no.5 iv below shows the total requirement of water needed for different crops in centimeters and table no 5.v shows the amount of water required to cultivate each crop in acre- inch in Murshidabad District. Here water requirement is shown in two units. Both are used in agriculture department for calculation of crop-water relationship. Boro paddy, aman paddy, jute and winter vegetables need larger share of water which must be irrigated with surface water for sustainability of groundwater. 119

15 Table no: 5.iv Crop-wise requirement of irrigation water Crops Total water requirement (cm) Crops Total water requirement (cm) Aus Linseed Aman Kusum Boro Soybean Wheat Til Maize Sunflower Gram Jute Lentil and pea Mung,kalai,bean Arhar Sugarcane Mustard Winter Vegetables Winter groundnut Onion Barseem tobacco Source: Integrated water management by Shyamal Kr. Majumdar, Dy. Director of Agriculture (Admin.), Murshidabad District, PAO. TOTAL REQUIREMENT OF WATER IN CENTIMETRE FOR VARIOUS CROPS IN MURSHIDABAD DISTRICT. Aus Aman Boro Wheat Maize Gram Lentil and pea Figure no.: 5.iv Pie-Diagram showing the requirement of water for various crops in centimeter. 120

16 Table no.:5.v Area in acres in different crops and total requirement of water in acre-inch ( ) Crops Area in acres Requirement of water in acre-inch Aus Aman Boro Wheat Maize Gram Lentil Pea Moong Kalai Bean Khesari Arhar Mustard Winter Groundnut Linseed Til Jute Sugarcane Winter Vegetable onion Total Source: Principal Agriculture office, Berhampore, Murshidabad District,

17 AREA AND WATER REQUIREMENT RELATIONSHIP FOR VARIOUS CROPS IN ACRE-INCH IN MURSHIDABAD DISTRICT. Area in acres requirement of water in acre-inch Aus Aman Boro Wheat Maize Gram Lentil Pea Moong Kalai Bean Khesari Arhar Mustard Winter Groundnut Linseed Til Jute Sugarcane Winter vegetable onion Figure no.: 5.v Interrelationship between area and water requirement for various crops. Source: Compiled by the author from Integrated Water Management by Shyamal Kr. Majumdar, Dy. Director of Agriculture (Admin.), Murshidabad District, 2010, PAO. Intake of arsenic induced ground water ingested through the food route can be a strong cause of arsenicosis. Particularly in the rural community and agricultural workers are victims of skin cancer, skin diseases, acidity lung and stomach disorder etc. Very few studies are done on the impact of use of arsenic contaminated water for agricultural workers. In Bidhan Chandra Agricultural University in West Bengal and Bangladesh Agricultural Research Council proposed some findings after few limited scale of study. Arsenic in water used for irrigation varied from 0.10 to 0.59 mg/l. Boro rice requires 1000 mm of irrigation water per season and arsenic loading ranged from 1.36 to 5.5 mg/ kg/hectare/year. Winter wheat requires 150 mm irrigation water per season where loading of arsenic from irrigation ranged from 0.12 to 0.82 mg/kg/hectare/year. Maize has arsenic loading 0.5 to1.8 mg/kg/hectare/year, sugarcane 0.5 to 3.1 mg/ kg/hectare/year, Mustard 0.1 to 0.6 kg/hectare/year, Potato 0.2 to 1.2 mg/kg/hectare/year, Lentil 0.1 to 0.5 mg/kg/hectare/year (NIH AND CGWB, 2010). 122

18 A report in 2 Anandabazar Patrika (a renounced Bengali newspaper) dated 16 May 2012; Wednesday made a broad publication about groundwater irrigation by deep tubewell and ground water status in West Bengal, India. In 2005, an act was passed by the state government in order to preserve the groundwater resource. The report explained that it is becoming costly to irrigate small farming land by shallow pumps by small diesel pumps. Now, Ministry of Irrigation wanted to do another blunder by allowing the farmers to extract water from more deep tubewells run by electricity to be installed shortly. If this happens without prior creating groundwater recharge potency; then no sooner time will come when ground water piracy will be reported in West Bengal also, especially in agriculture oriented district like Murshidabad. Geologists fear about many other major calamities in West Bengal if the rate of groundwater irrigation may not be reduced. If more water will be exploited there will be disequilibrium in underground geological structure. Besides, arsenic contamination and ground water fluctuation, scientists fear about the fact of earthquake in near future in this district. A small shock can bring a major disaster to human resources HYDROMORPHOLOGICAL STATUS IN BELDANGA-II BLOCK, MURSHIDABAD, 2010 JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUGSEPT OCT NOV DEC RAINFALL IN MM SHALLOW TUBE -WELL LEVEL IN FEET Average Arsenic level in mg/l Figure no.: 5.vi Source: Quantitative and qualitative statistics assessment of water in a sample study area of bagri region Statistics compiled by the scholar. 123

19 HYDROMORPHOLOGICAL STATUS IN SAGARDIGHI BLOCK, MURSHIDABAD, RAINFALL IN MM SHALLOW TUBE -WELL LEVEL IN FEET Average Arsenic level in mg/l Figure no. : 5.vii Quantitative and qualitative statistics assessment of water in a sample study area of rarh region Source: Statistics compiled by the scholar. 5.3(b) SECOND PHASE As already discussed, Green Revolution had changed the land use of Murshidabad District during early 1980 s, now another phase of land use change from early 2000 in the bagri region of Murshidabad District is, converting their agricultural lands, orchard lands into brick factories. Neighboring Nadia district is also a part of such transformation. Berhampore block, Hariharpara block, Beldanga-I and II block, Raninagar -I, Tehatta subdivision of Nadia district had converted their agricultural land into permanent and semi-permanent chimney oriented brick factories. Few have official permission for such factories and few (cross checked with local people interaction) permission of such factories is some official back-door toil. 124

20 Table no.:5.vi Tentative number of brick factory in Dumkol Block, Murshidabad District. Name of the place Number of brick Type of chimney Factory Aminbad-GaraimarG.P.-Dumkol block 2 Permanent Srikrishnapur-GaraimarG.P.-Dumkol block 1 Permanent Mohonpur-GaraimarG.P.-Dumkol block 1 Local air chimney Katakobara- Dumkol block 1 Local air chimney Ajimganjgola. - Dumkol block 2 Permanent Bhagirathpur- Dumkol block 5 Permanent+Local air chimney Dhulauri- Dumkol block 2 Permanent Jitpur- Dumkol block 5 Permanent Juginda- Dumkol block 40 Permanent+Local air chimney Total 57 Source: Field Study by the scholar, Plate no.: 5.1 Brick factory in Hariharpara block within 5 sq km 125

21 Plate no.: 5.2 Agricultural land converted into brick field in Hariharpara block Plate no. 5.1 and 5.2 shows that unorganized brick factories in agricultural field of Hariharpara block can be a matter of environmental (soil-water and air) degradation if proper management is not done at the initial stage. In 2011 field survey in shows innumerable brick factories, where maintenance of pollution law is in question. Besides the extreme population pressure which resulted in converting road side land into settlement, hydromorphological problems of sedimentation and arsenic contamination in water, brick factories have intensified soil quality and ground water depletion. Mud from agricultural field are cut down and sold to brick factories at higher prices which involve more cash earning than crops. Farmers pursue new farm practices but information, knowledge and practice about resource conservation, long term social security and medical insurance of the workers are lacking. 126

22 5.4 IS GROUNDWATER IRRIGATION FEASIBLE AT ALL BLOCKS OF MURSHIDABAD? - A DEBATE Green revolution has brought food security for the time being in Murshidabad District. Hydrological problem, land resource problem and social problem discussed in this chapter reveals that another revolution is necessary to hold the dynamic sustainability in the nature for no revolution is absolute forever. Ximing Cai, Daene C., Mc Kinney, and Mark W. Rosegrant (2001) had proposed indicators for measuring sustainability due to irrigation practice, which can potentially create irreversible problem for economic and environmental status. They emphasized on frequent data collection about groundwater quality and quantity. The indicators for sustainability in irrigation water management are- Water supply system reliability, reversibility and vulnerability Environmental system integrity Equity in water sharing and Economic acceptability. Hydrolic relationships provide a physical basis to evaluate water availability and water quality conditions. The function of crop production connect water, soil and other input with crop production which is fundamental block for estimating the demand for and value of water in irrigation, Accurate estimates of deep percolation, return flows, and their contaminants concentration, groundwater levels are essential to evaluate the environmental effects of irrigation. Assessing the damage resulting from the depletion of water over time is also critical to evaluate the environmental effects of irrigation. Therefore, if we try to draw a conclusion that whether groundwater is feasible for irrigation, then a correlation has to be drawn among irrigation, groundwater level 127

23 and arsenic contamination in ground water for different years in the study area for detailed analysis. In the scatter diagram figure no. 5.ix, the area under groundwater irrigation was low in 2001 compared with The groundwater availability changed distinctly after Without recharge the groundwater extraction can cause disaster in future. The projected diagram in figure no.5.viii number shows that if the present rate of extraction of groundwater continues without proper management then time will soon come when Murshidabad s groundwater will be endangered like Purulia, Bankura, Burdwan district of West Bengal and many districts of Northern and Southern India. Projected percentage of groundwater availability for irrigation in Murshidabad District Percentage of groundwater availability % of decrement Projected % of decrement Blocks Figure no.: 5.viii Projected decrement of groundwater availability in Murshidabad District. Method: Least square method. Source: computed by scholar. 128

24 Table no.: 5.vii Projected decrement of availability of groundwater for future irrigation. Linear regression equation of net annual ground water availability for future irrigation uses ( ) Linear regression equation of projected net annual ground water availability for future irrigation uses ( ) Y=-2E+09x+8E+10 Y=-6E+10x+2E+12 Method: Least squared method. Computed by the scholar. Pearson r by the raw score method is calculated between area involved in groundwater irrigation in 2001 and 2004 and net annual ground water availability for future irrigation uses. Pearson correlation (r) = (approx) for 2001 and Pearson correlation (r) = (approx) for 2004 shows that the interrelationship is positive but very weak. The extractions of groundwater for irrigation in some of the blocks are very risky. Berhampore, Bhagawangola-II, Domkal, Hariharpara Jalangi, Lalgola, Murshidabad- Jiaganj, Nawda, Raninagar I and Suti II blocks had negative net annual ground water available for irrigation in The important fact to be noted are most of the blocks are in the Bagri region of the district, the ground water status is in semi-critical position and all of the blocks suffer from arsenic contamination in ground water. With every year monsoon, the net groundwater available reach at satisfactory level but lack of proper conservation and management of the easy available water is at jeopardy situation in Murshidabad. The rarh blocks are in worse condition in few areas. The groundwater is at semi-critical to critical in position. This situation clearly signifies the immediate need of groundwater recharge with renovation of natural reservoirs so that rainwater harvesting can be done. 129

25 SCATTER DIAGRAM SHOWING AREA IRRIGATED BY GROUNDWATER AND NET GROUNDWATER AVAILBLE FOR TWENTY SIX BLOCKS OF MURSHIDABAD DISTRICT Area irrigated by GW in hectares y = x Net annual ground water availability for irrigation uses in ham 2001 Linear ( Area irrigated by GW in hectares 2001) y = x Linear (Net annual ground water availability for irrigation uses in ham 2001) Pearson correlation (r) = (approx Figure no. : 5.ix Scatter Diagram showing the interrelationship between groundwater irrigation and net groundwater available for irrigation in Murshidabad District for the year

26 SCATTER DIAGRAM SHOWING AREA IRRIGATED BY GROUNDWATER AND NET GROUNDWATER AVAILBLE FOR TWENTY SIX BLOCKS OF MURSHIDABAD DISTRICT Area irrigated by GW in hectares Net annual ground water availability for irrigation uses in ham y = -389x Linear ( Area irrigated by GW in hectares 2004) 0 y = x Linear (Net annual ground water availability for irrigation uses in ham 2004) Pearson correlation(r) = (approx) Figure no.: 5.x Scatter Diagram showing the interrelationship between groundwater irrigation and net groundwater available for irrigation in Murshidabad District for

27 Table no.: 5.viii Table no.: 5.ix INTERRELATIONSHIP BETWEEN GROUNDWATER LEVEL AND AREA UNDER GROUNDWATER IRRIGATION IN MURSHIDABAD DISTRICT Block Total area irrigated by ground water in hec. Ground water level in Apr'1985 (MBGL) Block Total area irrigated by ground water in hec. Ground water level in Apr'2011 (MBGL) Farakka Farakka Samserganj Samserganj Suti-I Suti-I Suti-II Suti-II Behrampore Behrampore Beldanga-I Beldanga-I Beldanga-II Beldanga-II Nowda Nowda Hariharpara Hariharpara Raghunathganj- I Raghunathganj- I Raghunathganj- Raghunathganj- II II Lalgola Lalgola Bhagwangola-I Bhagwangola-I Bhagwangola- II Bhagwangola- II Msd-Jiaganj Msd-Jiaganj Domkal Domkal Jalangi Jalangi Raninagar-I Raninagar-I Raninagar-II Raninagar-II Kandi Kandi Khargram Khargram Burwan Burwan Bharatpur-I Bharatpur-I Bharatpur-II Bharatpur-II Sagardighi Sagardighi Nabagram Nabagram NOTE: GW Irrigation include DTW, STW, DUG-WELL and private SHALLOW TUBEWELLS SOURCE: SWID, Berhampore, Murshidabad and StatisticalHhandbook of 2011 Red implies bagri blocks, blue implies rarh blocks and green implies blocks other than rarh and bagri. 132

28 SCATTER DIAGRAM SHOWING THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN GROUNDWATER LEVEL AND AREA IRRIGATED BY GROUNDWATER (PRE-MONSOON, 1985) AREA IN HECTARE y = x METRE BELOW GROUND LEVEL TOTAL AREA IRRIGATED BY GROUNDWATER IN HEC OF 1985 Linear (TOTAL AREA IRRIGATED BY GROUNDWATER IN HEC OF 1985) Figure no.: 5.xi Showing the interrelationship between groundwater level and area under irrigation by groundwater in the year 1985 in 26 blocks of Murshidabad District.. SCATTER DIAGRAM SHOWING THE RELATION BETWEEN GROUNDWATER LEVEL AND AREA IRRIGATED BY GROUNDWATER (PRE-MONSOON, 2011) AREA IN HECTARE y = x METRE BELOW GROUND LEVEL TOTAL AREA IRRIGATED BY GROUNDWATER IN HEC 2011 Linear (TOTAL AREA IRRIGATED BY GROUNDWATER IN HEC 2011) Figure no.: 5.xii Showing the interrelationship between groundwater level and area under irrigation by groundwater in the year 2011 in 26 blocks of Murshidabad District. 133

29 The ground water irrigation has increased in the post-green revolution era. In the scatter diagram figure no. 5.xi in 1985 almost all blocks started the new technology of groundwater irrigation with shallow tubewells and deep tubewells but in scatter diagram figure no 5.xii in 2011 blocks of bagri region still totally depend on groundwater irrigation. In the rarh blocks canal and ponds have been renovated but in the bagri region the extraction of groundwater is still continuing without conserving natural/artificial recharging reservoirs. In the table no.5.x it is clear that there is a depletion of groundwater layer in both rarh and bagri region from the onset of green revolution to this post green revolution period. The regression correlation shows a declining situation of the ground water layer because of the introduction of the central government scheme of MGNREGS emphasizing the need for water resource conservation, pond renovation and micro-irrigation more in rarh blocks compared to bagri blocks. Table no.:5.x Inter-variation in status of groundwater level in Murshidabad District Region Range of groundwater level in mbgl in 1985 Regression line equation (groundwater level and total area irrigated by groundwater) Range of groundwater level in mbgl in 2011 Regression line equation (groundwater level and total area irrigated by groundwater) Bagri y = x y = 381.7x Rarh y = x y = 1740.x Source: Method: Computed by the scholar Least square method. Increased surface water conservation and rainwater harvesting for irrigation in rarh region of Murshidabad after renovation of canals and ponds by Central government schemes has proved positive for the quantity crisis of this region. But in the bagri region the quality problem remained with growing necessity of water and stress on groundwater only. 134

30 5.5 IRRIGATIONAL EXPENDITURE BY DIFFERENT SOURCES Estimated expenditure made by farmers for producing paddy in one bigha (2.47 acres) of land showing the uneconomic condition of farmers by irrigating field with diesel shallow pumps. Table no.:5.xi Showing irrigation expenditure by a surface water source COST OF IRRIGATING THE FIELD WITH RIVER LIFT PER ACRE. CROPS GOVT.RATE IN RUPEES WHEAT 360 PADDY 116 RYE 104 POTATO 500 JUTE 360 SOURCE: FIELD SURVEY BY THE SCHOLAR Plate no.: 5.3 River lift machine working in Sujapur beel, Beldanga-I Block, Murshidabad. 135

31 Table no.: 5.xii Showing irrigation expenditure by a ground water source TENTATIVE EXPENSES AND INCOME FROM PADDY CULTIVATION BY SHALLOW TUBEWELLS In One Bigha of Land. ITEM RUPEES(approx) Ploughing the field once by labour Seeds(10 kg) 75 Fertilizers(5kg) Diesel for irrigating the field ( 5 49) 245 EXPENDITURE FOR IMPLANTING THE PADDY PLANTS Ploughing the field by labours 1000 Implanting plants with labours 1200 Clearing of weeds by labour 250 Fertilizer at first phase 640 Fertiliser at second phase 690 Insecticides 200 Irrigating the field (25 lit Harvesting the paddy 2500 Bringing the paddy home 500 TOTAL EXPENDITURE IN FIELD 8875 Yield of rice is 18 maun (720Kg) from one bigha of land Price procured for one maun of rice is Rs maun of rice is Rs.300* Price of straw sold is 2000 TOTAL SELLING PRICE 7400 Profit / loss in paddy cultivation in one bigha of rice is Rs = -Rs (approx) Note: Source: 1 acre=1.60 bigha (approx). The expenditure changes with the change of price of diesel. Primary data compiled by scholars through questionnaire survey of selected villages. (FIELD SURVEY 10/1/11) The comparative rates of irrigating the field by two different sources clearly show that surface water irrigation is much cheaper than groundwater irrigation. 136

32 Plate no: 5.4 Sujapur beel, Beldanga-I Block, Murshidabad 5.6 MICRO IRRIGATION AND WATER RESOURCES MANAGEMENT PROGRAMMS Before 1990 s micro-water management specially includes various irrigational schemes. A. Mitra has highlighted various irrigational schemes for the district in Gazateer in India Census (1979). From to number of irrigation schemes sanctioned was 58 tube wells (3 inches diameter), 916 small irrigation schemes, 203 deep tube well schemes. 27 river lift schemes was sanction during From and , 264 and 368 deep tube wells were sunk in Bagri region i.e. the left hand of Bhagirathi River alone. In , river lift alone had benefited hectares during Kharif season and hectares during Rabi season. In the year about hectares of land was benefited during the Kharif season and during the Rabi season 4236 hectares of land was benefited through the various irrigational schemes. From the Rural Infrastructural Development Fund (RIDF) under the aegis of NABARD with corpus of rupees two thousand crores (Rs. 2000) had started various schemes which provide loans to the State Government for financing rural infrastructure projects including irrigating soil conservation and watershed 137

33 management. Commercial banks were asked to deposit the shortfall of their target of priority sector lending 18% to agriculture with the RIDF under the aegis of NABARD. 3 From RIDF VII onwards, interest rate on Banks contributions to RIDF was linked inversely to the extent of their shortfall in agricultural lending against the target of 18%, to deter banks from considering RIDF contribution as an easier alternative to their own lending. NABARD retains a margin of 0.5% and the balance interest spread earned is credited to the watershed management fund. (Bhalla, G.S.; 2008, pp: 133). All the major and medium sector water resource management is funded by either State or Central Government. Institutional finance is available for the minor irrigation sectors. In Murshidabad major problem between the potential for micro-water management programmes and their utilization is the gap between potential and utilization. Expenditure statement for work on physical performance indicating assets created under National Rural Employment Guarantee Schemes (NREGS) Govt.of India, Ministry of Rural Development, Department of Rural Development. Table no: 5.xiii The trends in ground level credit flow (bank loan) in past few years by NABARD for Murshidabad District Year Achievements for water resources (Rs Lakhs) Achievements for land development (Rs Lakhs) n.a. n.a Total Source: Compiled by the scholar from (PLP) Potential linked Credit Plan of various years. NABARD, Murshidabad 138

34 Soil and water conservation measures taken up under Watershed Development projects by Govt. of West Bengal are: Area development-cultivable wastelands are developed to arable lands through bundings leveling, bench terracing etc. Water resource development- excavation/re-excavation of farm ponds, water harvesting structure, and surface water bodies etc. Removal drainage congestion- To remove inundation in the coastal saline zone during rainy season to allow cultivation of HYV seeds instead of local. Plantation of mango, guava, lemon and forest species saplings on wasteland. The National Watershed Development Project in rain fed areas (NWDPRA) is a major thrust programme launched by the department of agriculture and co-operation, Govt. of India doing the 8 th five years plan where 6 nos. of NWDPRA schemes were initially started in rarh region of Murshidabad. Type of activities taken up for watershed development projects under National Watershed Development Project for Rainfed Areas (NWDPRA) and River Valley Project & Flood Prone River (RVP and FPR) are: Formation of self help group/user groups. Formation of watershed association. Formation of watershed committee. Registration of watershed association under the societies registration act. Opening of bank account of watershed association. Capacity building of watershed development team, SHGs/UGs and watershed committee members. Opening of Bank account of SHGs/UGs. Transfer of project fund to the bank account of watershed association. Preparation of annual action plan/ strategic plan. Execution of schemes by the watershed association on Natural Resource Management, Farm Production System, Livelihood Support System etc. 139

35 Progress towards implementation of Integrated Watershed Management Programme (IWMP) under SALNA has been formed on 1 st January, 2010 under active consideration of State Government. o Other developmental programmes of both the State and Central Govt. of India, are Community Development Plans (CDP), Intensive Agriculture development Agencies (IADP), High Yielding Varieties Programme (HYVP), Small Farmers Development Agencies (SFDA), Marginal Farmers Agricultural Labour Development Agencies (MFAL), Intensive Tribal Development Programme (ITDP), Food for work, Integrated National Pest Management, Integrated Nutrient Management and Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGA) We are trying to discuss about Water Resource Development- excavation/reexcavation of farm ponds, water harvesting structure, and surface water bodies etc. in Murshidabad district for last few years. 5.7 MGNREGA AS A HELPING TOOL FOR MICROLEVEL WATER MANAGEMENT IN MURSHIDABAD DISTRICT The Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) is the programme of Central Government with the assistant of the State Government for the execution of the act. It directly touches lives of the poor and promotes inclusive growth. The act aims at enhancing livelihood security of household in rural areas of the country by providing at least one hundred days of guaranteed wage employment in a financial year to every household whose adult members volunteer to do unskilled manual work. The act came into force on February 2, 2006 and implemented in a phased manner. The auxiliary objective is strengthening rural resource management through needs such as water conservation, land development, minor and micro irrigation, soil conservation etc. The process is meant for strengthening the grass root processes of democracy and infusing transparency and accountability in governance. 140

36 As per schedule of the act, the focus of MGNREGA shall be on the following works, 1) Water conservation and water harvesting 2) Drought proofing, including afforestation and tree plantation 3) Irrigation canals, including micro and minor irrigation works. 4) Provision of irrigation facility to land owned by household belonging to Sc/St, or to land of the beneficiaries of land reforms, or to land of the beneficiaries under Indira Awas Yojana. 5) Renovation of traditional water bodies, including desilting of tanks. 6) Land development. 7) Flood control and protection works, including drainage in water logged areas. 8) Rural connectivity to provide all weather access. The construction of roads may include culvert where necessary, and within the village area may be taken up along with drains. 9) Any work that may be notified by the Central Government in construction with State Government. In terms of implementation priority, the programme mandates that maximum emphasis should be with a view to create Knowledge Resource Centers to enables citizens access to information and articulation of rights as well as to strengthen the infrastructure of Gram Panchayat and Block towards more transparent processes, construction of Bharat Nirman Rajiv Gandhi Sewa Kendras (RGSK) has been notified. The BNRGSK will be used for mobilization of MGNREGA workers, awareness generation workshops, training and capacity building, convergence exercises. MGNREGA records will be made available for inspection in BNRGSK. Training material, booklets, primers and self- learning material regarding MGNREGA and other development programmes will be provided in BNRGSK. This programme will also be used for mobilization of self- help group, training and skill development activities under the National Rural Livelihoods Mission. The BNRGSK will be fitted on IT (information technology) equipments. 141

37 Therefore, in all respect both the local rural skilled and unskilled labour is required for the development of the locality. The ground truth is very few grampanchayat have done the work of mass communication about the benefit of MGNREGS which is for the people and by the people at micro-level. 5.7 (a) CASE STUDY IN THE BAGRI REGION Kashipur mouza is situated in Kashipur Grampanchayat, Beldanga II block, District Murshidabad, West Bengal, India. This mouza is a water abundant area. Before the advent of green revolution periods the area is described as inundated area during monsoon. This helped in renewal of soil fertility by depositing fertile silt and hence bumper crop production without irrigation was possible just after monsoon. Jute fermentation is an essential job for farmers immediately after monsoon rain. Beels, Khals were often filled with water to help in this task. But for past few years people are helpless and they extracted ground water to fill up their nearby ponds or khals for fermenting jute plants due to rainfall vagaries. Almost in all purposes subsurface water are used by local people, such as irrigation, drinking, domestic purpose etc. After green revolution people used to cultivate boro rice but now the cropping pattern has shifted to wheat cultivation in winter in few areas. The yield per hectar has diminished. Senior farmers quote that they had extracted 1maun (40 kg.) of rice from each katha (unit of land) initially with chemical fertilizer use. But now it has reduced to ~0.9 maun per katha. They also said that shallow water bodies, ponds used to have water throughout the year. Farmers think that something had happened that now a days they experiences drying of ponds, water level fluctuations, and reduction of yield per hectare (recorded in video of field survey). Uncontrolled flooding system of irrigation and ignorance and lack of knowledge about groundwater flow in aquifer and its recharge increases the arsenic level in water and therefore, researchers suspect to enter into the plants tissues discussed in the earlier part of this chapter. The oxidation- reduction process and heavy content of iron boost up the problem of arsenic. The people have hardly any way to 142

38 avoid the dangerous health effects caused due to arsenic contamination in groundwater. They are engaged in hand to mouth arrangement and have least awareness and instance to think on such issues. Pond irrigation or surface water irrigation is a myth to them. Lack of education in modern agricultural method has made them ignorant, dependent on governmental scientifically inventory schemes and on their fate. Lack of proper management has made the mouzas totally dependent on groundwater irrigation. Panchayat is running number of schemes on micro irrigation, water conservation and management. The depth of the pond has not increased as a result shallow pond does not have water holding capacity during the summer season. An NGO s worker in the Grampanchayat of Hariharpara proposed that if they are given contact to maintain the pond and renovate them, the work will be more systematic and many literate jobless will be engaged on the government s aid. A good job in Kashipur G.P. was done in financial year. An MGNREGs shows some development in the area under the category of minor and micro irrigation. They had re-excavated an irrigation canal from Jikra PWD road to Chelepota Math, Jikra mouza, Kashipur G.P., Beldanga II block, Murshidabad, West Bengal, India. Total Expenditure made was Rupees in Unskilled labour expenditure was Rupees , Semi-skilled labour expenditure was Rupees , and work site board expenditure was Rupees This expenditure must be displayed publicly but field s survey shows that no such board has been installed in the actual ground of work; it is kept at the corner of Panchayat Office. This canal will help the people in many ways. The canal will help people to submerge raw jute plants during rainy seasons. Later on, it will also help to take the products (pulps) near the main road suspending through the water of the canal. Sediment accumulation had made the canal shallow, re-excavation will benefit irrigating field of this region. Again this canal may help in flushing the area from arsenic (As) contamination and also recharge the ground water. Flood is a gift as 143

39 quoted by Din Mohammad, a farmer in this area of Beldanga-II G.P. as it brings silt which makes the soil fertile for the next season of cropping. In due to lack of rainfall, shallow water tube wells were used to fill up swampy lands ( dobas ) to submerge the raw jute plants for fermentation. Some of other works done during are re-excavation of Dharer Bill from Shibmandir to Ager Gachhtala at Shibchandrapur. Estimated cost was rupees 3.38 lakhs and total expenditure made was rupees lakhs. Re-excavation of canal from Kalachand Sarkar s house to Surer math. Estimated cost was rupees 3.58 lakhs and total expenditure made was rupees lakhs. Re excavation of canal from Mohon Mandal house to Shatberi Gachhtala at Shibchandrapur. The work is going on and the estimated cost is rupees 7.66 lakhs and expenditure already made is lakhs of rupees. Re- excavation of canal from Kamal Sk land to Cheleputa pukur tala at Natun Kashipur. This work is also going on whose estimated cost is 4.86 lakhs. Expenditure already made is lakhs of rupees. If all these schemes really get finished then local people and farmers will be benefited in number of ways. Very little work has been done under water conservation and water harvesting. Official lacunae and lack of proper utilization of allotted money for work are the main reason of slow performance in the peoples resource creating and conserving work through MGNREGS. During field survey many farmers those has medium land size holding are willing to cut a part of their field as pond both for irrigation and for pisciculture. They (70.2 % of respondent) also suggested piscicultue as alternate occupation. 144

40 Plate no.: 5. 6 A Priory condition of re- excavation of a canal in Kashipur G.P., Beldanga II block, Murshidabad, West Bengal, India. Plate no.: 5.7 Re- excavated an irrigation canal from Jikra PWD road to Chelepota Math, Jikra mouza, Kashipur G.P., Beldanga II block, Murshidabad, West Bengal, India. Plate no.: 5.5 Work Expenditure board Plate no.: 5.8 Re- excavated an irrigation canal from Sibmandir to Ager gachtala (Dhadhar beel) Kashipur G.P. Beldanga II block, Murshidabad, West Bengal, India. 5.7 (b) CASE STUDY IN RARH REGION Some of the big ponds which can be used for irrigation more areas of land. Few relevant works in this block to conserve rain water and pond irrigation are discussed here. Babarpur Faradkhana Pukur is renovated by scheme work of MGNREGS. The pond is about 1.5 bigha of land and 6 feet deep which is insufficient to hold water in pre and post monsoon period so that it can help in irrigation. Another pond named Gopal Nagar Porabali is about 01 bigha of land and feet deep. The water of this pond helps as water reservoir, in irrigation and also as social daily use. Plate 5.9, 5.10 and 145

41 5.11 shows ponds under Burwan I G.P., Burwan Block, Murshidabad under renovation through MGNREGS. Plate no. : 5.9 Unscientific pond renovation. Babarpur Faradkhana Pukur, Burwan I G.P., Burwan Block, Murshidabad. Plate no.: 5.10 Gopal Nagar Porabali, Burwan I G.P., Burwan Block, Murshidabad. Plate no.: 5.11 Masardah Sibdighi, Burwan I G.P., Burwan Block, Murshidabad a pond yet to be renovated for water harvesting There are many such ponds which are yet to be renovated to can meet up the water level fluctuation in this block. This block has potentiality to produce more crops if water can be available at a cheap rate. If electricity can be lend at cheaper rate then advanced electrical shallow pumps can water the crops from these ponds. Masardah Sibdighi about 09 bighas and 09 feet deep can help the local scheduled caste and scheduled tribes of these areas to extract water from this pond in lean season. 146

42 Table no.: 5.xiv Sl.no Blockwise expenditure of Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Schemes (MGNREGS) in Murshidabad District. IN LAKHS Block 1 Beldanga -I Year Water conservation and water harvesting no. of work total expenditure Renovation of traditional water bodies no. of work total expenditure Micro irrigation no. of work total expenditure Beldanga -II Berhampore Bhagawangola-I Bhagawangola-II Bharatpur-I Bharatpur-II Burwan Domkal Farakka Hariharpara Jalangi Kandi Khargram Lalgola Murshidabad Jiaganj 17 Nabagram Nawda Raghunathganj-I Raghunathganj-II Raninagar-I Raninagar-II Sagardighi Shamserganj Suti-I Suti-II Total of district

43 Contd. Table no: 5.xiv IN LAKHS Sl.no Block 1 Beldanga -I Year Water conservation and water harvesting no. of work total expenditure Renovation of traditional water bodies no. of work total expenditure Micro irrigation no. of work total expenditure Beldanga -II Berhampore Bhagawangola-I Bhagawangola-II Bharatpur-I Bharatpur-II Burwan Domkal Farakka Hariharpara Jalangi Kandi Khargram Lalgola Murshidabad Jiaganj 17 Nabagram Nawda Raghunathganj-I Raghunathganj-II Raninagar-I Raninagar-II Sagardighi Shamserganj Suti-I Suti-II Total of district

44 Contd. Table no: 5.xiv Sl no Block 1 Beldanga -I Year Water conservation and water harvesting renovation of traditional water bodies no. of total work expenditure Micro irrigation IN LAKHS no. of total no. of total work expenditure work expenditure Beldanga -II Berhampore Bhagawangola-I Bhagawangola-II Bharatpur-I Bharatpur-II Burwan Domkal Farakka Hariharpara Jalangi Kandi Khargram Lalgola Murshidabad Jiaganj 17 Nabagram Nawda Raghunathganj-I Raghunathganj-II Raninagar-I Raninagar-II Sagardighi Shamserganj Suti-I Suti-II Total of district Note : Total expenditure of each block under each category includes labour expenditure added with material expenditure. Source : 149

45 Table no.: 5.xv Summary of total expenditure of Murshidabad District by MGNREGS (Rs. In lakhs) Type of work Year & No. of works Labour expenditure Material expenditure Total Expenditure Area of work =(3+4) 6 Water conservation and water harvesting 2009/ / / Renovation of traditional water bodies Irrigation canal 2009/ / / / / / Murshidabad District Total Expenditure Source : Compiled by the scholar From the above tables it is clear that crores of rupees have been injected in Murshidabad District under MGNREGS for water conservation, renovation of traditional water bodies and micro-irrigation. Now the question arises about whether the resource actually been created or not? The continuous use of shallow tube well in almost all fields of bagri region put a question mark on the creation of resource base and danger of ground water depletion. The situation demands mass communication and mass awareness programmes as the most effective way to teach and accomplish people about the benefit of government programmes to use judiciously and scientifically. 150

46 5.8 MASS AWARENESS PROGRAMMES CONDUCTED IN THE DISTRICT. After all test and trial, only a few mass awareness programmes are done in Murshidabad regarding present groundwater status and rainwater harvesting. In Raninagar- I, 200 participants joined in mass awareness programmes by CGWB/ SGMA in In Bharatpur II, 250 participants joined in Ground Water Management and Rain Water Harvesting Programme. Kandi block with 17 participants organized by CGWB programme was ground water Development and Management with special reference to Rain Water Harvesting (WMTP).Exhibition organized by All India Agriculture, Science and Industrial Expo was conducted in Jangipur/ Raghunathganj block. Various models, charts, maps were prepared by CGWB to aware the common peoples.cgwb awareness programme delivered in Kandi block involved block level officers and block level SAE. This programme was organized by Zilla Parisad Murshidabad under MGNREGA schemes in The main theme was rain water harvesting through excavation of ponds, tanks etc. for assured 100 days employment. S.K. Acharyya, former director general in the Geological Survey of India in 2002, has quoted that reversion to surface water based supply. Will involve enormous financial outlay and world nullify the investment of around Rs 10,000 crores (100 billion rupees or around $ 2 billion) already made in West Bengal alone over the last 30 years. It is necessary that such major policy shift should not be ad hoc, but a science driven decision DO INSTITUTIONAL EDUCATION OF FARMERS HELP IN AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT AND PLANNING? Knowledge is basically two types: indigenous knowledge and scientific knowledge. Wisdom and practice is influenced by indigenous knowledge and technology is run by scientific knowledge. A space between the two knowledges can led a society into obscurity. This had happened in this district regarding groundwater. There are always transition costs in developing new or adapting old technologies, in learning work and in breaking free from existing patterns of thoughts and practice. It also costs 151

47 time and money to rebuild depleted natural and social capital. 5 (Desai,V.& Potter, R.B.; 2011, pp:168-69). Pre-scheduling, mass communication and mass awareness programmes is the only way of amalgamation of indigenous knowledge and scientific knowledge. Farmers have indigenous knowledge and researchers have scientific knowledge. Amalgamation of these knowledges and putting into practice is the only noble way of sustainability. Senior farmers are sometimes opposing to educate their children because they think education has made the young generation reluctant to remain as farm labors. Those farmers, who educate their children with all their ends, hope a secured job (govt. /non-govt.) for their children as like as in urban areas. Our education system is such that it is uprooting the rural youth from villages. The gradually increasing rural youth find themselves a strangers in their own village and run to cities where they also becomes job seekers along with the urban youth. All the efforts for rural development launched since 1952 have colonial attitude towards rural areas and problems. The urban sector presumably has to carry the burden of developing rural sector and there is little involvement of rural people in planning and implementation. Most of the officers and the workers (mostly having urban background) have failed to identify themselves with the rural people. They are unaware of the language, mindset, perception and necessities of these villagers. Their aspiration and problems are much different than urban region. Workers of brick factory and biri factory are mainly school going and few college going students in Murshidabad District. The unorganized plants must be planned and organized by administrators with local people s organization so that no labour must be below eighteen years of age. Voters identity card can help in such sorting. Most of the farmers are of the idea that institutional education has no value in marginal workers family. Increase in number of earning members in the family can support the economic condition which institutional education cannot. Local empowerment should be encouraged because water and soil relationship are practically best known to the farmers in their own language. They know their land like their palm lines. Vocational training in modern agriculture after twelfth standard in 152

48 degree colleges instead of pass graduate can involve young generation in methodological agricultural practice. 5.9 COMPARISON BETWEEN BAGRI REGION AND RARH REGION OF MURSHIDABAD DISTRICT In this research one fact is clear that the rarh part of Murshidabad is different from the bagri part of the district. There are differences in various aspects like physical, social and cultural. Differences lie in soil quality, hydrology, morphology, micro-climate, fooding habits, dialect and communication. All groundwater developmental schemes must be done keeping all these differences in mind. It is amazing that no such intensive study is done for this district. In fact three zones can be identified within 26 CD blocks (Figure no. 5.x.iii). Table no.: 5.xvi Inter-variation in hydromorphological problem in Murshidabad District Farakka, Samserganj, Suti-I and Suti-II and Raghunathganj-I is the area where the main hydromorphological dynamism is riverbank erosion, flood, siltation and rehabilitation of the residents in the shoals. ( Zone- I) Rarh blocks like Sagardighi, Khargram, Burwan, Nabagram, Kandi, Bharatpur-I and Bharatpur-II have the problems of groundwater depletion, silting of nonperennial rivers and canals (Zone-II) Bagri blocks like Lalgola, Bhagawangola-I, Bhagawangola-II, Raghunathganj- II, Domkol, Jalangi, Hariharpara, Nowda, Raninagar-I, Raninagar-II, Beldanga- I and Beldanga-II have the problems of silting of perennial river like Padma, Bhairab, reduction in the depth of various ox-bow lakes due to prolonged deposition of silt, canals are suffering from deficit of renovation, strong arsenic contamination in groundwater, high iron content in the groundwater and seasonal fluctuation of groundwater in few areas and above all land litigation as the entire north-eastern part of the district shares the international border with Bangladesh. (Zone-III). Source: Computed by the scholar 153

49 Figure no.: 5.xiii Hydromorphological inter-variation zones of Murshidabad District. The crop culture must be made more specific for each different soil area depending on the soil map so that the water availability may be optimally used. Boro rice cultivation and same crop culture is not at all suitable for all blocks of this district. 154